Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Ethan exhaled deeply, his voice low and heavy with emotion. “Joanna, the day I married you, all I wanted was a harmonious life together. But you’ve never trusted me. I once loved you-do you believe me?”
This simple sentence almost made Joanna burst into tears. She felt a pang of regret. Maybe she could have handled things differently. Yet, things had escalated beyond repair, and there was no way to turn back now.
Joanna steeled herself and yelled, “Don’t think you can fool me! I see everything. I’m not stupid. You and Leila are having an affair, aren’t you? But it’s irrelevant. She’ll pay for her actions soon enough.”
After hanging up, Joanna quickly sent Ethan a text, including a link to an online video. Within minutes, Ethan bombarded Joanna with texts and calls. Undeterred, Joanna blocked his number.
Haunted, Ethan switched numbers and continued to call and text her. The more messages Joanna read, the more disheartened she felt. Ethan claimed there was nothing between him and Leila, yet he seemed overly concerned about Leila. Forget it. From now on, she vowed to make their lives miserable.
Joanna typed another message, this one to Sarah. “Can you get in touch with that reporter we used before? I need a favor. Tell him to run a story tomorrow claiming Leila has been secretly seeing my husband. When I found out and confronted her, she argued with my mom and, in my absence, pushed her down the stairs.”
Sarah shot back casually but then paused, realizing something was amiss. “Did you know your mother died falling down the stairs?”
Joanna faltered. “I didn’t know. I made it up. I’m not aware of the exact details. Just have him report that. No more questions.”
Sarah sensed something amiss but held back her concerns. Her temporary alliance with Joanna had one goal: to ruin Leila. Nothing else seemed relevant.
The day of the press conference soon arrived. The event drew not only a crowd of reporters but also a considerable police presence.
Landon had organized this press conference without bothering to tell Leila. Before he departed, Leila remained secluded in her room, oblivious.
Landon had instructed the servants to ensure additional family doctors were on call, prepared for any emergencies. However, as Landon was about to leave, he was intercepted by Sophie.
Clutching her doll, Sophie approached him, her intentions clear. “Are you going to teach those bad guys a lesson? The ones who bullied my mommy? Take me with you! I’ll show them a lesson too,” she declared, brandishing her tiny fists energetically.
Landon was momentarily at a loss for words. He gently stroked her hair and replied, “Sweetheart, I need you to take on a very important job today. You must stay here and protect your mom.”
Blinking her large, gleaming eyes, Sophie asked cautiously, “Do you mean there’s a bad guy at home?”
Landon explained, “No. Your mom isn’t feeling well right now. Your presence will make her feel better!”
Sophie didn’t quite grasp Landon’s words, but she nodded anyway. Then something struck her, and she beckoned Landon. Landon crouched down, and Sophie, standing on her tiptoes, leaned in to whisper, “Actually, when you’re here, my mommy feels better too. When I was napping next to her, she kept uttering your name.”
Landon feigned a stern expression. “Your mom is right. I should really stop you from watching so many TV shows.”
With a pout, Sophie grabbed her toys and dashed toward the living room. “You’re mean. I don’t want to talk to you anymore. I’m going to see my mom.”
Landon couldn’t help but smile as he watched Sophie run off gleefully. His smile slowly faded as she disappeared from sight.
Edgar expressed his concern. “Sir, if people find out who you are, you can’t stay here anymore. Are you sure about your decision?”
A shadow passed over Landon’s eyes. “This is the only option left. I owe her so much. If this can secure her and Sophie’s future peace, then I’m prepared to never see them again.”
Before heading out, Landon cast several lingering glances back at Leila’s room. The thought of seeing them again pained him deeply. Yet, this was the extent of his options.
Upon their arrival at the press conference, Landon, donning his mask, assumed his position, disclosed his identity, and acknowledged his engagement with Leila.
Sarah was also present. She had anticipated witnessing Leila’s downfall, but to her surprise, Leila was nowhere to be seen. This left Sarah feeling let down.
Errol was there too. He persisted, trying to persuade Sarah. “With all these rumors around, you need to clarify that this is all a misunderstanding. Someone tried to set Leila up by sending you that video. You were manipulated. No one will blame you for this, Sarah; it’s crucial that you realize this soon.”
Sarah gave Errol a frosty look. “Forget it. Leila should have been crushed under my heel, yet she dared to humiliate me. I will harbor this grudge forever!”
Errol pointed at Landon. “You know who he is. Are you aware of the risks in crossing him?”
Sarah smirked and shrugged dismissively. “Should I be afraid? I have the Payne family on my side. Should I really fear someone like him?”
Errol’s tone turned graver. “This is a joke, Sarah. This man’s connections run deeper than you think. He’s not someone the Payne family can afford to provoke.”
“Really?” Sarah tilted her head up, eyeing the masked Landon, a spark of envy flickering in her gaze. “You heard him earlier. He claimed Leila as his fianc?e. Why would someone of his stature choose Leila? Even if it was a stroke of luck, he could resolve such trivial matters effortlessly. Why would he bother with all this?”
Errol shared her confusion. However, having lost touch with Leila recently, he was in the dark about the details. All he could do was worry and figure out how to talk Sarah out of going after Leila.
Errol was at his wit’s end and blurted out whatever he thought were harsh words. “Sarah, I swear if you keep acting like this, I won’t marry you even if my grandpa kicks me out.”
Sarah’s expression flickered. She clenched her hands on her knees, her knuckles turning white. After a long, tense silence, she gave a cold, wry smile. “Whatever. If you don’t want someone else will. You’re not the only man in the Payne family.”
Errol stared at Sarah, dumbfounded. She had seemed so devoted to him all this time. But now he saw the truth. All she cared about was power. She just wanted a cushy life, and she didn’t care who provided it.
That was exactly how Sarah saw it now. After Landon used her and tossed her aside, she knew love was useless and brought no gain.
“Then we’re done here.” Errol pulled himself together, gave Sarah one last cold look, and walked away.
Sarah’s hand twitched. For a second, she wanted to run after him. But then the anger and hate came flooding back, rooting her in place.
Elsewhere, the pain finally subsided, leaving Leila drained and gasping for air. The agonizing pain had hit her five times already today. But this time, she felt a little bit better afterward. Leila lay there for ten minutes, slowly regaining some strength.
Just then, Sophie toddled in, struggling to carry a basin of warm water. “Mommy, let me wipe your sweat,” Sophie chirped, her tiny hands straining to hold the basin steady. Her earnestness was adorable, but it also brought a pang of sadness to Leila’s heart.
Leila’s heart ached. “Honey, why don’t you let the servants handle that? You’re too little.”
Sophie shook her head stubbornly. “But love is in the water! Mommy, if you use it, you’ll get better faster!”
After freshening up, Leila felt remarkably better. The pain had vanished completely. Was this a good sign or a bad one? She couldn’t tell.
Feeling a bit stronger, Leila managed to get up, shower, and change into clean clothes. Sophie was thrilled to see her mom on her feet again. She danced around Leila, giggling with delight.
After a while, amidst the playful chaos, Landon crossed Leila’s mind. “Where’s Landon?” Leila asked casually. “What’s he been up to?”
The butler cleared his throat awkwardly. “I’m not entirely sure, ma’am. He went out earlier. He did mention that you shouldn’t contact him unless it’s urgent. He said he might be quite occupied.”
Leila nodded, choosing not to press the matter further. She was recovering at home, trying to piece together the events that led to her losing consciousness. Now that she was feeling stronger, she was determined to get some answers.
Leila reached for her phone and saw a piece of news. She opened it and found a live recording of Landon’s press conference. She had no idea what the press conference was about.
Then she heard the reporters’ pointed questions. “Did Leila Nixon really kill Charlee Martel?” one reporter questioned. “You didn’t report her to the police. Are you protecting her, or are you an accomplice?”
“You said she was set up. So why didn’t you call the cops? And where’s Charlee Martel’s body?”
“You’re saying the killer was Joanna, Charlee’s own daughter? But they were super close. How’s that even possible?”
“I heard Leila meddled in Joanna and Ethan’s relationship. Is that true? Do you know anything about it?”
Leila’s phone slipped from her grasp, clattering to the floor. She stood up, shoulders slumping in defeat. She hadn’t expected Landon to take all that heat without saying a word.
At that moment, Leila’s mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Truth be told, she hadn’t wanted him to protect her like that. She couldn’t bear the thought of him suffering for her, yet she was reluctant to admit it. Instead, she made excuses and told herself that she just didn’t want to be in his debt again.
With that thought, Leila made a move to rush out. Sophie was right on her heel. “Mommy, please take me with you! I’m scared you’ll come back like you did last time…”
Tears welled up in Sophie’s eyes, threatening to spill.
After a moment’s thought, Leila instructed some people to take Sophie with her. Stepping outside, Sophie was chattering away excitedly.
“Today, when Landon went out to deal with those jerks who hurt you, he didn’t let me tag along. He told me to stay home and protect you. Are we gonna go teach them a lesson now?”
Leila felt a knot form in her throat. “Did he say anything?”
Sophie shook her head.
Leila sighed. “Honey, from now on, tell me everything Landon says to you, okay?”
Sophie didn’t quite get it, but she nodded obediently.
At the press conference, Landon remained remarkably composed despite the bombshell allegations. He had been gathering evidence all along. One by one, he laid out the damning proof. Witnesses and surveillance footage showed Joanna speeding away from the Martel residence on that fateful day.