Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Before, she could only sense the baby during ultrasound scans. But now, she could feel her baby, even through the skin.
Landon’s smile was tinged with bitterness as he clenched and then relaxed his fists in resignation.
“I know the baby is mine. I was an idiot back then,” Landon said.
Edgar had revealed the whole story to Landon after Leila went missing.
Before, there was a time when Landon realized the baby Leila was carrying was actually his. But as if fate would have it, he fainted before he could make amends, this fragment of memories concealed because of the effects of the drug.
Now that Landon had tracked down the source of the drug he had been subjected to, the other party could no longer undermine him with the use of the drug.
As time went on without being affected by the drug, Landon slowly reclaimed some of the concealed memories.
Sometimes, Landon wondered whether things might have been different if he hadn’t fainted and lost his memory at that time. That way, Leila and he might still be together. He could have had a simple, happy life with her and their child. Being a good father and a caring husband had always been his dream.
But Landon knew all too well that numerous dangers would have come Leila’s way if he hadn’t fainted and become oblivious to the fact that the baby she was carrying was his. His misconception of the father of Leila’s baby blissfully fooled his enemies.
At that time, with his enemies lurking in the dark, he couldn’t even take care of himself, much less look after Leila.
Though Landon desired for Leila to stick by his side since she was his loved one, he knew he couldn’t and shouldn’t put her in harm’s way. Being the head of the Kensington family, he shouldered the responsibility to address the grievances caused by the previous generation, even if it meant being unfairly targeted and set up.
With Leila’s interest in mind, Landon took a deep breath to steady himself, trying to calm his inner turmoil down.
At this point, Leila stepped forward and held Landon’s hand.
Landon’s heart pounded in his chest, his meticulously constructed facade threatening to crumble. But he plastered on a mask of indifference, his insides churning.
Leila, however, appeared unfazed by his seemingly aloof reaction. She guided his hand on her belly.
A pang of sadness shot through Leila, a bitter reminder of her past ordeal. Yet, a strange sense of finality washed over her. It was as if she wouldn’t see him again in this lifetime.
Leila wrestled with her feelings, realizing she couldn’t let her personal grievances overshadow the broader implications of her situation. After all, this wasn’t just about her baby. Landon was the father.
As Leila guided Landon’s hand gently over her belly, a rush of unexpected emotion overwhelmed Landon. He felt the faint yet steady heartbeat of their unborn baby.
It was a profound moment, one that nearly brought Landon to tears. Abruptly, he withdrew his hand and turned away, concealing his vulnerability.
“From now on, this child is your responsibility alone,” Landon said, his voice tinged with a harshness that belied his earlier emotion. “Whether it’s a boy or a girl, keep them away from the Kensington family.”
Landon’s directive, though seemingly cruel, was layered with complex emotions and a deep-seated desire to protect the child from potential familial conflicts.
Leila’s response was a simple, understanding smile. She acknowledged Landon’s wishes with a nod.
Landon then pulled out several crumpled pieces of paper from his pocket. It was a divorce agreement.
Normally meticulous about his belongings, Landon had found himself compulsively crumpling the divorce papers throughout his journey here, a sign of his emotional turmoil.
Avoiding Leila’s gaze, Landon spoke quickly, his words tumbling out as he fought to keep his emotions in check. “Read it carefully before you sign it.”
He then added, “Before Roderick passed away, he left something for you. My mother took it, but it will be returned to you after the divorce. I hope you and the child find happiness. Just… don’t come back.”
Leila’s eyes dropped to the agreement, noting that Landon had already signed his name.
A whirlwind of emotions swept through her as she stared at the document.
After years of being intertwined with Landon’s life, the finality of their impending separation stirred a complex mix of relief and sorrow.
For so long, Leila had half-convinced herself that she might never actually divorce Landon.
Yet there it was, the document officially marking the end of their union, transforming them into the most familiar of strangers.
A slight twitch of Leila’s lips betrayed a remnant of pain, a subtle acknowledgment of her lingering feelings for Landon, albeit less profound than before.
She accepted the divorce agreement from Landon, the pen in her hand making a rasping sound as it moved across the paper, signing her name decisively.
When Leila handed the signed document back to Landon, he seemed momentarily lost.
Leila signed too fast. Landon managed to say, his voice thick, a lump forming in his throat, “Are sure you don’t want to check the content?”
Leila shook her head, her gestures fluent and clear as she expressed her trust in him. She doubted he would use some conditions just to set her up or make things difficult for her.
Landon had made his share of mistakes, sometimes overstepping boundaries, but he had always been transparent with her.
Leila reflected on the turbulent course of their relationship, realizing that what she had once perceived as excessive actions by Landon were influenced by her belief that their bond was unbreakable. If there were no feelings involved, Landon’s actions would not have seemed excessive at all. She should have understood this sooner.
As Landon prepared to leave, Leila managed a bright smile and waved at him, masking the emotional gravity of their parting with a gesture of farewell that belied the finality in her heart.
Landon caught her smile briefly and then averted his eyes, clutching the signed agreement tightly as he hastened away.
As Landon exited, he was immediately met with the watchful eyes of several bodyguards stationed around the area. It was clear from their stance and alertness that they were Ewing’s men.
At that moment, Edgar was attempting to gain entry but was being held back by the bodyguards.
Frustrated, Edgar challenged them, saying, “I saw you let Mr. Kensington in. Why won’t you let me in? That’s not fair!”
The lead bodyguard maintained a cool demeanor and replied, “Apologies, but we’re following direct orders from our superior. I hope you can understand.”
Landon walked over briskly, signaling Edgar not to make a scene.
Edgar fell silent, a sulk marking his expression.
As they moved away, Edgar’s frustration became apparent. “Mr. Kensington, you shouldn’t have made compromises. It’s clear Ewing isn’t fond of you.”
Landon, his gaze fixed ahead, uttered slowly, his response caught Edgar off guard, “It’s actually a good thing if Ewing harbors some bias against me. It means he’s vigilant, which helps safeguard Leila’s safety. He’s protective of her, and if he’s cautious with me, he’ll be even more so with others. Besides, since he’s made commitments publicly, he’s bound to uphold them.”
Edgar’s worry lingered. “But what if she isn’t Ewing’s cousin?”
Landon shook his head, dismissing the concern. “Even if that is the case, he won’t backtrack on his decision. Right now, Tyrone needs stability, and Leila’s presence provides that. The Nixon family operates differently than the Kensington. They aren’t as cold.”
Edgar caught the deeper meaning in Landon’s words, sighing softly.
The implication was clear. The Kensington family was as emotionally detached, lacking the warmth or empathy.
Breaking the contemplative silence, Landon suddenly declared, “Let’s head to the hospital.”
Edgar responded with a nod and courteously opened the door for Landon.
As the two entered the hospital, the scene was tense. Members of the Nixon family, along with Sarah, were clustered outside the VIP ward.
Sarah looked particularly anxious.
Dean and Stan were also present. The atmosphere was thick with solemnity.
However, the mood shifted slightly as Landon approached with an air of calm that contrasted sharply with the prevailing distress.
Dean immediately confronted Landon, his frustration boiling over. “Our mom had an accident. You barely visited, and now that she’s critically ill, how can you remain so composed? Don’t you care at all?”
At this point, Stan approached Landon.
Stan’s disfigured left face was concealed by a mask, lending him a mysterious, somewhat eerie, appearance. His unmasked side, though handsome, was marked by a somber expression.
“Dean, let’s stay hopeful. Mrs. Kensington will pull through.” Though Stan’s words appeared to soothe Dean, his gaze shifted accusingly at Landon. “But, Landon, your detached demeanor hardly seems fitting for a son whose mother is lying here critically ill.”
Before Landon could respond, Sarah jumped to his defense. “Hey! Hold on. Don’t jump to conclusions. Landon has been incredibly busy, but he’s not been negligent. He’s made extensive preparations.”