Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Ewing, adjusting his glasses, replied with a sharp smile, “Mr. Kensington, please understand this is for your wife’s safety. Our family takes the security of its members seriously, unlike others. If more care had been taken, she wouldn’t have been abducted.”
Landon felt a weight in his chest as he held the pen, frozen. The accusation struck deep, reinforcing the painful view that, to many, including possibly Leila, he was a distant, neglectful husband.
With another woman by his side, his position was compromised, both morally and emotionally. He felt he had neither the right to be with Leila nor the dignity to face her, given his current circumstances.
Having lifted his eyes to meet Leila’s for the first time since their paths crossed again, Landon’s gaze was laden with a mix of regret, longing, and confusion. It was a significant, charged exchange, but he quickly masked his emotions, adopting an impassive demeanor.
Leila, catching a fleeting glimpse of his emotional turmoil, doubted herself, wondering if she had merely imagined the depth of what she saw. She turned away, biting her lower lip in frustration and pain.
Now, Leila was acutely aware of the misunderstandings that had been seeded between them by others’ manipulations. There had been a time when she wanted to clear the air, to explain her side of the story. However, the realization dawned on Leila that as the victim, the burden of explanation should not fall on her shoulders.
The importance of Landon’s perceptions had diminished in her eyes. His thoughts, once so crucial to her, now held little weight. As Leila processed her emotions, she felt her attachment to Landon waning.
Landon, his expression unreadable and cold, signed the agreement and handed it over to Ewing. As Landon did, he murmured a request, a hint of demand in his tone. “I want to know how Leila ended up at your place.”
Ewing, taking the agreement, responded with a slight frown, indicating the seriousness of the matter, “My cousin crossed a line, but I assure you, she will be dealt with appropriately. I located your wife a few days ago, but dealing with Bria requires caution since she’s both bold and wary of any signs of trouble. In truth, it was Leila’s own cleverness that paved her way out.”
Landon nodded, his eyes briefly tearing up before he controlled himself. The word “cleverness” echoed in his mind. It was his carelessness that had necessitated her resourcefulness.
Feeling a surge of complex emotions, Landon spoke again, his voice low, heavy with unspoken regret. “Anyway, I should be thankful to you.”
Initially, Ewing felt a twinge of sympathy for Landon, recognizing the tangle of personal dilemmas Landon faced. However, as Ewing considered the broader picture involving Landon, Sarah, and Bria, his empathy waned.
Ewing said earnestly, “Mr. Kensington, while I’m an outsider and it’s not my place to comment on your personal matters, I must advise you. Indecision hurts others more than it helps. Once you make a choice, stand by it without regret. Remember, no one will wait for you forever.”
Landon’s expression was a mix of frustration and resignation as he clenched his fists, struggling to find the right words. Finally, Landon let out a weary sigh, a sound that seemed to carry the weight of his dilemma.
“I appreciate the warning,” Landon said, his tone edged with a hint of finality. “I’ll consider what you’ve said very carefully. If nothing changes within the next five days, I’ll part ways with Leila. However, there’s something you should know. There’s a good chance Leila is actually your cousin.”
Landon’s memory traced back to a crucial piece of information Roderick had shared with him years ago. Landon recalled that the stature and influence of Leila’s maternal grandfather’s family were considerably more substantial than those of the Kensington family.
Leila’s mother was known for her obstinacy, having fallen out with her parents over undisclosed issues, and had since then refused reconciliation. This familial rift appeared to be the reason for the absence of any search for Leila from her mother’s family all these years, which was why Roderick had implored Landon to keep this a secret from Leila.
Landon decided it would be best to wait for a move from Leila’s mother’s family. If none of them had ever searched for Leila, that meant they did not want her to return.
Landon did not expect that Leila’s maternal grandfather’s family had actually been searching for her extensively. Their efforts were thwarted by geographical distances and scant local connections, preventing them from locating her until now.
Landon’s decision to endorse Leila’s stay with the Nixon family had been a stopgap measure, and while the Nixons appeared welcoming, he suspected ulterior motives might be at play.
Ewing wasn’t taken aback by Landon’s words. He recalled when he had seen Leila for the first time, the sense of familiarity lingered even long after their meeting.
When their eyes met, Ewing was vividly reminded of his aunt, despite the limited time they had spent together during his childhood. Tyrone’s excitement upon laying eyes on Leila only served to affirm Ewing’s suspicions about their familial connection.
“Thanks, Landon,” Ewing said appreciatively before subtly stepping back to maintain some distance.
Meanwhile, Bria’s frustration was palpable, her anger visibly contorting her features. But there was nothing she could do.
Now, Ewing held the reins of power within the family, and Bria was acutely aware of her precarious position. Any misstep could prompt Ewing to dismiss her, a threat that loomed large in her mind.
Just days earlier, Bria might have welcomed the opportunity to depart alongside Leila, but recent events had changed the dynamics. Exposed and embarrassed by Leila in front of the family and guests, Bria was rendered momentarily helpless but still wanted to bid on her luck. Perhaps there was still a way out.
Tyrone, increasingly certain Leila was his long-missed granddaughter, seemed resolved to stick by Leila wherever she went. Ewing displayed a protective interest in Leila, inadvertently complicating the family’s internal politics even further.
Leila, under the weight of many scrutinizing and sometimes envious gazes, felt helpless. While she did not fully endorse the decisions made by Ewing and Landon, she understood the strategic necessity behind their actions. Now seen as a threat by Bria, Leila recognized that the chosen path, though challenging, was her best option under the circumstances.
Soon, the party wound down, and as the guests departed, the Nixon family members prepared to return to their respective lives. Leila was leaving. This morning, she had sneakily hidden in a van used for delivering kitchen supplies just to get here. Bria, driven by a blend of desperation and caution, allowed Leila to share her ride, wanting to avoid drawing further attention.
Leila had suffered a lot along the way. Now, she finally had her moment of comfort, sharing the Nixon family’s car. Ewing assisted Leila with a gentleness that didn’t go unnoticed by Bria, who watched the scene with a seething jealousy.
Bria’s assistant, Noemi Glyn, picking up on Bria’s dark mood, approached cautiously to open the car door for her. Instead of entering the vehicle, Bria fixed Noemi with a cold, piercing glare.
Noemi felt a chill down her spine as she caught Bria’s icy stare, internally cursing the incompetence of her subordinates that had led to this situation. What was the difficulty of monitoring a mute and pregnant woman? Those useless fools!
Before Noemi could react, Bria’s hand struck her sharply across the face. “Is there something you want to tell me?” Bria snarled, her voice echoing with a venomous chill.
Panicking, Noemi dropped to her knees, her voice trembling as she tried to formulate her words carefully. “Miss Nixon, I accept full responsibility for today’s mishaps, but I truly didn’t foresee things turning out this way. I’m willing to face any consequences. However, considering your current condition, it’s crucial I continue to search for a suitable candidate for your heart transplant.”
Bria, fueled by anger and the day’s frustrations, found herself struggling to catch her breath. Seeing Bria’s escalating distress, Noemi quickly retrieved the medication. After Bria took the pills, her fury began to subside, and she gradually calmed down.
Noemi seized the moment to appeal to Bria’s sense of reason. “Please, Miss Nixon, try to cool down. It’s not worth your peace to be disturbed over someone as insignificant as me. You can address my failures anytime. Once I’ve secured a replacement, you may punish me as you see fit. I’ll accept it without complaint.”
Bria’s icy gaze seemed to thaw slightly, though she remained silent for a moment, contemplating Noemi’s words. “I will spare you this time, as there are still tasks I require of you,” Bria finally said, her tone soft yet carrying an underlying sternness. “As for those incompetents, I don’t want to see them again. Use whatever means necessary to erase them from my presence.”
Bria’s voice, usually melodious and gentle, conveyed a chilling resolve. The harshness of her orders sent a cold shiver down the spine of anyone who heard them. Noemi, realizing the grim fate awaiting her subordinates, felt no sympathy for them. To survive in Bria’s service, one had to be ruthless, sensible, and smart.
Relieved that Bria had decided to spare her for now, Noemi exhaled a deep breath of relief and was about to rise from her kneeling position when Bria spoke again, her voice cool and detached. “Why the hurry? Your blunders have soured my mood. As a consequence, you’ll crawl your way back. Understood?”
Noemi’s face turned pale upon hearing Bria’s stern command. Noemi’s voice trembled in response, aware of the severe physical toll this punishment would demand. “But Miss Nixon, it is a long way from here to the house.”
Walking that distance was challenging enough, and crawling back could leave her severely injured. Unmoved by Noemi’s plea, Bria snapped, “Consider yourself lucky I’m letting you off lightly. Any objections to my decision? Would you rather join your inept subordinates on an unpleasant excursion?”
Bria’s words were a clear ultimatum, leaving Noemi no room to argue. Resigned to her fate, Noemi ceased her protests. Despite the impending humiliation and pain, it seemed a lesser evil than the alternative Bria hinted at.
Under Bria’s stern gaze, Noemi began crawling her way back while passersby looked on with confusion and concern. Despite Bria having reserved the entire hotel for today’s banquet, the premises remained a hub of activity with numerous people passing through.
Onlookers cast curious and concerned glances at Noemi, puzzled by her unusual and distressing behavior. As Noemi endured her public ordeal, Bria’s spirits lifted, her mood significantly improved.
Setting foot in the grand estate of the Nixon family again, Leila had different feelings. Ewing’s demeanor toward Leila was notably gentle. Throughout the journey back, he offered several apologies to Leila, a gesture that surprised her, given Ewing’s position as the one who took charge of the Nixon family..
Despite Ewing’s kind demeanor, Leila remained cautious, wary of trusting anyone too hastily in her vulnerable state. Walking in, Ewing ensured Leila was comfortably settled in her room and arranged for a chef and a couple of servants to attend to her needs.
Throughout their interactions, Ewing’s gaze often drifted to Leila’s belly, hinting at unspoken thoughts he hesitated to voice. Leila, perceptive and astute, could almost read the concern in Ewing’s eyes. She understood that others might share his unspoken thoughts, feeling pity for her situation. To most, her husband’s heart lay elsewhere, even though she was pregnant and her well-being was not guaranteed.
Realizing the discomfort his scrutiny might cause, Ewing eventually averted his gaze, his demeanor shifting to one of awkwardness.
Leila didn’t feel offended, though. She took out her phone and carefully typed a message, her demeanor calm and unperturbed. “Don’t worry. I’ve gotten used to it. After all, you’re not the first one to think that way.”
Leila’s message only deepened Ewing’s sense of guilt. His voice softened as he replied, “Take care of yourself and consider this place your home. If you need anything, just let me know. Don’t keep it to yourself, okay? If possible, I hope you can visit Tyrone from time to time. He’s very fond of you. You’re his granddaughter.”
Leila couldn’t ignore the earnestness in Ewing’s hopeful look. Her response was thoughtful, albeit tinged with an undercurrent of reluctance. “I doubt I’m the one you have been looking for, but I appreciate what you did for me today. I’ll visit Tyrone more often whenever I’m available. I hope you find your cousin soon.”
Ewing shook his head gently. “I guess you have a clear answer whether we’re related. I understand the Nixon family has failed you and your mother. If you choose not to forgive us, I won’t press you. However, Tyrone isn’t getting any younger, and it will mean a lot if you spend some time with him. He’s not to blame for past grievances.”
Leila paused, the weight of Ewing’s words hitting her. Deep down, she recognized the truth of their connection, yet admitting it openly was another matter. Her mother’s dying wishes still echoed in her mind, a poignant reminder of past hurts. Leila’s mother was reluctant to return to the Nixon family’s estate, and naturally, Leila shared the sentiment.
Leila could tell her return was not desirable for some individuals in the Nixon family. Yet, given the circumstances, she could only navigate the situation by staying in the grand Nixon family’s manor for the time being.
After ensuring Leila’s comfortable stay with his meticulous arrangements, Ewing started to walk away while giving orders to the butler.
He first instructed to arrange for Bria’s swift return to Ferelden, thwarting any chance of her causing harm to Leila again. On top of that, he doubled the number of bodyguards for Leila’s safety, further safeguarding her well-being.
Just then, a sudden scream pierced the tranquility of the yard, snapping Ewing out of his ongoing arrangements of offering Leila a peaceful life.
With a frown, Ewing quickly made for the sound. Servants with different duties halted in their tracks and gazed at the front gate in astonishment. There stood Noemi, Bria’s assistant, whose knees were bloodied, making even standing on her feet a challenge.
The servants, initially abuzz with whispers, fell silent upon noting Ewing’s arrival with a stern face. Approaching Noemi swiftly, Ewing’s frown deepened as he eyed the gruesome sight, asking with a hint of irritation, “Are you out of your mind?”
Despite her evident agony, Noemi managed to speak through gritted teeth.
“Mr. Nixon, it’s all my fault. Please, don’t be mad at Miss Nixon. She’s unwell and desperately needs a heart transplant.
Finding a suitable candidate from underhanded means was my idea. Miss Nixon only took pity on Leila and thus took her in. I… I acted without earning Miss Nixon’s approval. But my intentions were all about Miss Nixon’s well-being.”
Ewing’s expression turned icier as he absorbed Noemi’s lame explanation. “Do you understand what you will face after taking the blame for Bria? The whole consequences. Do you need a reminder?” he asked sharply.