Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Thanks for the kind words, Lando,” Stan said through clenched teeth.
Stan hung up and threw his phone at the wall in a fit of rage. “Dean’s useless! He’s nothing but trouble!”
Landon left with Sophie, but not before Dean and his family paid.
Landon made Dean’s family kneel in a line at the door, bowing to everyone who walked by. After a day of that, they were completely humiliated. Dean’s son was required to withdraw from that kindergarten.
By the time Leila heard and got there, it was all finished.
Sophie was in Landon’s arms, playing with his mask and giggling.
Leila was shocked and a little jealous. “You two got close quickly.”
Sophie saw Leila and wriggled out of Landon’s arms to hug her mom. “Mommy, I missed you so much! I’m okay. Don’t worry. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have left with a stranger.”
Leila saw Sophie’s injury and panicked. “What happened?” she asked urgently.
Leila couldn’t help but scold Landon. “What were you thinking? Why didn’t you take her straight to the hospital when she was hurt?”
Sophie shook her head frantically. “Mommy, please don’t be mad. I’m the one who didn’t want to go to the hospital. I was afraid you would worry about me if you didn’t see.”
The last time those Nixon family goons took Sophie, even though Sophie came back safe and her throat healed later, Leila cried herself to sleep for nights. Her eyes were puffy every morning.
Sophie loved her mom and couldn’t bear to see her heartbroken again.
Sophie reached up on her tiptoes, trying to wipe away Leila’s tears. “Mommy, please don’t cry. I’m right here. I promise, from now on, I’ll protect you. No one’s gonna mess with you again.”
Landon’s heart ached as he watched Leila and Sophie. He stepped closer and said, “Sophie, don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe. I’m your godfather, after all.”
Leila’s tears stopped abruptly. She scooped Sophie up, her face hardening. “Godfather?” she said with an icy smile. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken. My daughter doesn’t have a godfather.”
Landon’s anxiety flared. “Why can’t I be her godfather? You’re being ridiculous.”
Leila shot back, “Ridiculous? You didn’t even bother to ask if she wants you as a godfather!”
Sophie shook her head vigorously. “I don’t want a godfather. I have my real dad. My mommy says he’s a really nice guy. You’re nice and all, but you’re not my dad. He doesn’t wear a mask like you.”
Landon felt awful. He didn’t know how to respond, so he just gave a sad laugh. “You’re absolutely right. I don’t deserve to be her godfather. I shouldn’t have even-“
Leila’s eyes flashed, and she quickly changed the subject. “Get her to the hospital, now.”
Once Sophie’s bruises were taken care of, Leila wanted Sophie to rest for some time instead of going to the kindergarten. Sophie was a bright kid with a sharp memory. Even if she missed a few months of kindergarten, she’d catch up in no time.
Leila had sent Sophie to kindergarten in a bid for her to make friends and be around other kids, but she had never seen this coming.
Leila was ready to take over Landon’s company; she hadn’t forgotten their bet.
But just as Leila was about to walk away, Landon stopped her. He coughed, reached out, and took Leila’s hand. “Look, I didn’t mean to set you up. I just… I needed a reason to see you. And if you couldn’t make it, well… then you’d owe me one. Another chance to see you.”
Leila nodded slowly, her expression carefully neutral. “So, let’s get this straight. How many favors am I in for? I’m not one to be in anyone’s debt.”
Landon’s composure faltered. “No! I didn’t mean it that way-you don’t owe me anything.”
“Oh, really?” Leila drawled, an eyebrow arched suggestively..
Landon cleared his throat, shifting gears abruptly. “But I could still use your help. I’ve been swamped recently. You, on the other hand… you pulled off that auction house like a pro. I’m still learning the ropes. If it wasn’t for Stan and Dean, they wouldn’t have played me like a fiddle.”
Leila observed Landon’s uncharacteristic charm offensive, a flicker of suspicion crossing her face. Was this the same Landon she knew? Landon had never been like this previously.
Leila cut through the pleasantries, her tone turning serious. “I can help you, Landon. But on one condition: If I help you, you will sell me the company for thirty percent of its value. That’s my offer.”
At Leila’s words, Lenny, sitting in the front passenger seat, widened his eyes in shock and blurted out, “No way. You’re robbing…”
“Ahem!” Edgar quickly interrupted with a pointed cough, shooting Lenny a warning glance.
Lenny sulkily muttered, “Lando won’t agree. This is practically charity, just giving in to an outrageous demand.”
“Alright, but I don’t want your money. I’ll give it to you for free.” Landon surprised Lenny by agreeing with Leila. Lenny fell silent, his gaze shifting to the window as he stared out expressionlessly. The image he had held of Landon crumbled-Landon had never acted like this before.
Leila was taken aback by Landon’s quick compliance. She was about to accept when something occurred to her. A businessman like Landon wouldn’t just agree without a reason. There had to be a catch.
Sensing her hesitation, Landon felt a pang of hurt. He gently took her hand, his expression earnest as he looked into her eyes. “Being honest, Leila, I’d give you anything you ask for, anything-as long as it’s for you and Sophie. I mean it.”
Leila studied Landon for a long moment, searching his gaze. Then, a small smile played on her lips. “Forget it. I just realized that my request might have been too much. I need to think it over.”
Landon’s calm facade cracked as anxiety seeped in. “Don’t fret. There’s no risk involved.”
But Leila wasn’t swayed. She didn’t bother responding, instead turning to Sophie. “Let’s come back home.”
With that, Leila led Sophie out of the car and into another, leaving Landon behind.
Lenny couldn’t hold back any longer and turned around, trying his best to reason with Landon. “Mr. Lando, Ms. Nixon is stunning, sure, but there are countless beautiful women out there. Look at how she treats you. No respect at all. You have to stand your ground. You can’t let her push you around. Don’t let love make you lose your senses.”
Landon’s patience snapped. In one swift motion, he grabbed Lenny by the collar. “Who put this nonsense in your head?”
Lenny, suddenly unsure of himself, lowered his head and mumbled, “I just picked it up from TV shows. But I swear, I’m only looking out for you.”
Edgar quickly intervened, sensing the tension. “Mr. Kensington, he’s young and doesn’t know any better. He was just trying to protect you.”
Landon let go of Lenny’s collar, his tone turning somber. “I understand, but don’t spout that kind of nonsense again. I’m well aware I don’t deserve her. It’s no surprise she treats me the way she does.”
Lenny was about to argue further, but Edgar shot him a glance, silently urging him to drop it.
Despite Lenny’s usual calm demeanor, something about Leila seemed to get under his skin, making him unusually agitated. Still wary of Landon’s temper, Lenny asked cautiously, “Mr. Kensington, are we heading back now?”
Landon shook his head, his voice heavy with resolve. “No. I won’t go back.”
Landon turned to Edgar with determination. “Start the car. We’re following her.”
Leila had no idea Landon would trail her all the way home. Once home, Leila busied herself in the kitchen, preparing a meal for Sophie. As she emerged with the dishes, a servant approached, mentioning guests.
Confused, Leila stepped into the living room, only to find a familiar figure lounging on the sofa. Her annoyance was immediate, her voice cold. “What are you doing here? Leave.”
Landon was on his feet in an instant, crossing the room to reach her. He took her wrist gently but firmly. “No, I’m not leaving.”
Leila’s expression hardened. “This is my house, Landon. I have every right to ask you to go. I understand you want to apologize to me, but you have done a lot. The past is behind us, and I’m trying to move forward. If you keep shadowing me, you are causing me trouble.”
Emotion tightened Landon’s throat, but he held on to her hand, unwilling to let go.
“You’ve got it wrong. I’m not here just for you. I’m here to protect you and Sophie. I know you don’t care about what people say, but Sophie is still young. If rumors spread in high society, what do you think will happen to her? Do you really want to be forced to live abroad forever?”
Leila’s eyes flicked to Sophie, her emotions churning. After a moment, her tone softened slightly. “I get what you’re saying, but that doesn’t change the fact that I don’t want my life to be disturbed. You should understand what I mean.”
Landon didn’t argue. Instead, he released Leila’s wrist and walked over to Sophie, kneeling to her level. He spoke gently, and his playful smile spread across Sophie’s face, her laughter filling the room. Seeing Landon and Sophie getting along so effortlessly only deepened the swirl of emotions within Leila.
After a brief hesitation, Leila took her seat at the table and, with a cool tone, said, “I only cooked for Sophie and me. There’s nothing here for you.”
Landon remained unfazed. “That’s alright. I won’t eat anything. I’m here to be with you both during dinner.” But Sophie, ever the considerate one, didn’t miss a beat. She requested an extra bowl from the servant and carefully served some of her food to Landon. “Mommy’s cooking is too good not to share. You should have some!”
Leila let out a resigned sigh. “Sophie, if you keep giving your food away, you’ll end up hungry.”
With a bright, innocent smile, Sophie shook her head. “Mommy, I know you’d never let me go hungry.”
Landon couldn’t help but smile as he gently patted Sophie’s head. “Sophie really is the sweetest girl in the world.” Despite her initial reluctance, Leila couldn’t resist Sophie’s generosity or Landon’s quiet presence. She called for the servant to prepare a few more dishes.