Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Stan’s smile vanished. He shook his head, stunned. “Is he really your brother? But how?”
Even with the mask obscuring Landon’s face, it was clear he was young, maybe in his late twenties. He looked nothing like someone in his forties.
Anna’s gaze swept over the room, cold and dismissive. Their doubtful expressions didn’t faze her. “I don’t need to prove anything to any of you,” she said calmly. “This is my brother, Mr. Lando. Should we get a DNA test right now to confirm it?”
The room fell silent. No one dared to challenge her.
Anna was a force to be reckoned with. Crossing her would mean instant notoriety, the receiving end of everyone’s relentless tongue-lashings.
Landon glanced up at Anna, a slight frown creasing his brow. “You didn’t need to come back for this,” he said.
Anna pouted, a playful expression softening her usually cold features. “I missed you, so I came back,” she said with a hint of mischief in her voice. “Don’t you miss me?”
Landon had to remember he was playing the role of her brother. He couldn’t blow his cover, so he forced himself to respond. “Of course I do.”
Anna’s face lit up with a sweet smile.
To anyone watching, it was just a normal, affectionate exchange between siblings.
Stan’s face drained of all color. So, this man wasn’t Landon? Shit! He’d just offended the big shot.
Sarah was more panicked. She jumped to her feet, nearly stumbling in her haste. If this man was really Anna’s brother, Mr. Lando, then Leila would have even more ammunition to use against her. Damn it! Why was Leila so damn-
An idea struck Anna, and she turned to Leila, her eyes turning icy.
Leila wasn’t sure if she was imagining it; she felt Anna’s eyes held a hint of malice when looking at her.
Suddenly, Anna pointed at Leila. “He’s my brother, but I’ve never seen this woman before. I don’t remember her being the one who saved him overseas. She’s probably using him for something.”
Everyone in the room was shocked by Anna’s accusation. Sarah let out a relieved sigh and leaned back in her chair, a smug grin spreading across her face as she watched Leila’s face drain of color.
Landon jumped to his feet and yanked Anna aside, his voice a low growl. “What the hell are you doing?” he hissed.
Anna blinked innocently and then whispered in his ear. “You’re using my brother’s identity, so I naturally have to speak the truth. If I hadn’t come back, this woman would have blown your cover. Lenny’s right; she’s trouble. I’m trying to help you. Can’t you see that?”
Anna looked torn, her eyes filled with both bitterness and deep worry. “You’ve always played it safe and kept this identity for so long. I can’t let you throw it all away for some woman!”
Then Anna waved her hand imperiously, announcing to the gathering group, “Arrest that woman! She’s an imposter pretending to be the one who saved my brother!”
Sarah jumped in. “Miss Watts, she is also a murder suspect! She tricked your brother, hoping he’d help her get away with it. Don’t let her escape!”
Anna’s eyes locked onto Leila, burning with intensity. “You’re absolutely right. I won’t let her go.”
Landon let go of Anna, his voice firm and icy for the room to hear. “I dare anyone to lay a finger on her! Whether she saved me or not doesn’t matter anymore. What matters is that I love her.”
Anna’s face turned white, and tears filled her eyes. She wanted to blurt out that Landon wasn’t Mr. Lando. But the words got stuck in her throat. She felt her anger melt away.
Feeling let down, Anna turned and walked away.
Landon went over to Leila and took her hand in his. Leila was still in a bit of a daze. Landon’s words really touched her heart.
This man was ready to risk everything for her. But when she thought about it clearly, she didn’t want him to. It would mean she’d be in his debt again.
Leila felt the warmth of his hand and fought back mixed feelings. She whispered, “Anna’s the only one who can help you maintain your identity as Mr. Lando. It’s unwise of you to do so, Landon. Have you lost your mind?”
His dark eyes were determined. “I told you, I love you. I couldn’t protect you before, and I won’t let that happen again. Leila, you and our daughter don’t have to be afraid anymore. I’ll take care of you both.”
Leila’s heart swelled with emotion at his words, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Sophie, looking at the crowd, clasped her hands. “Mommy, can we go home now?”
Before Leila could respond, Landon scooped Sophie up and said, “Alright, let’s head home.”
Landon then walked away with Leila and Sophie, leaving everyone behind. The evidence Landon presented today was thorough and convincing. It was enough to clear Leila’s name. Joanna was completely taken aback by the turn of events. She was stunned that Mr. Lando’s sister had spoken up for Landon at such a crucial time.
Now, Joanna felt she had no leverage left. A chill ran through her, and she crumpled to the floor in defeat. Just then, Ethan called.
Joanna screamed into the phone, on the verge of a breakdown. “Are you happy now that I’m going to jail? Are you laughing at me? Once I’m locked up, there’s no one to keep you and Leila apart! You’re thrilled, aren’t you?”
After a long pause, Ethan finally spoke. “You must know deep down that I don’t love you. I married you and treated you well out of a sense of duty. I did my best to be a good husband. You must have seen that, but you refuse to acknowledge it. Instead, you blame Leila for everything. Even if Leila hadn’t returned, you would have found someone else to blame. I used to think I could just keep placating you, but I realized I was wrong.”
Tears filled Joanna’s eyes. “You never loved or even liked me! Why did you marry me?” she sobbed. “You’re the reason I’ve become this.”
“Yes, it’s all my fault,” Ethan said with a bitter smile, his voice unwavering. “I’ve made my decision. I will spend the rest of my days making amends for my wrong decisions. I won’t return to the Brooks family or seek love. I will pay respect to your mother’s grave until my own end.”
Joanna was stunned and then began to laugh. Tears streamed down her face as she laughed, overwhelmed by a jumble of emotions she couldn’t untangle.
Regret and self-loathing washed over her. She desperately wanted to convince Ethan to stay by her side.
Before she could utter another word, Ethan ended the call. He wasn’t going to give her another opportunity. Suddenly, the door burst open with a forceful kick.
A swarm of police officers rushed into the room.
Joanna had, in fact, already come back to the country. She knew Landon’s men would capture her soon if she continued to stay abroad. No one could fathom what her fate would be by then..
But Joanna hadn’t anticipated the police locating her so quickly.
The lead officer wasted no time in explaining their arrival. “A concerned citizen informed us of your whereabouts, which is why we were able to locate you so promptly. You are accused of murdering your mother. Are you willing to confess to your crime?”
Hearing she was reported, Joanna immediately realized who was responsible. It had to be Ethan. She had no desire to ever see him again, not even in the next life.
Elsewhere, Landon brought Leila and Sophie back home. Anna and Lenny surprised Landon by following him. The sight of them made Landon’s head throb.
Leila saw the hostility in Anna’s eyes. She gently freed her hand from Landon’s grip and coughed awkwardly. Landon’s gaze had been fixed on Leila until this moment. He turned to Anna, his face cold.
“Do you need me to book a flight back, or would you prefer I escort you out myself?” he asked, impatience and anger clear in his voice.
Anna’s voice was thick with hurt. “Landon, I came back for you. I turned down several job interviews. You’ve never treated this way before. Everything is different now, and I don’t believe it’s without reason.”
As Anna spoke, she shot a look at Leila. It was obvious she was blaming her.
Landon’s anger flared at her insinuation. “I’ve always treated you the same. That’s not the issue here. What you’ve said and done today is unacceptable. Surely, you don’t want me to force you to leave, right?”
“And what if I refuse to go?” Anna challenged, her voice defiant.
The air crackled with tension.
Just then, Lenny stepped forward urgently. “Sir, there’s another reason why Miss Watts returned. She ran into some difficulties overseas and had no other option but to come back. You promised to protect her. Are you going to go back on your word?”
Anna gave Lenny a displeased look. “Lenny, why did you have to say that?” She then let out a snort. “If this was before, he’d protect me without hesitation. But now he’s with someone else. He probably thinks I’m just a bother. It’s fine. I’m leaving now. Landon, don’t come to regret this later. You threw away your promise to my brother for someone like her.”
With that, Anna was ready to storm off.
Leila felt a headache coming on. Honestly, she didn’t want to get mixed up in this. Anna was not someone to mess with and had a unique bond with Landon. On top of that, she was wrongly accused, which she found hard to accept.
“Miss Watts,” Leila rushed to stop Anna before giving Landon a look. “Mr. Kensington and I are not in a relationship as you think. And I’m not asking you to leave. We had to put on a facade for some reason. I hope you don’t get the wrong idea.”
With that, Leila took Sophie’s hand, ready to leave.
Before leaving, Leila said to Landon, “Don’t come here again. I don’t want to get involved in this complex situation.”
Landon was taken aback and felt a pang of disappointment. Anna’s expression grew puzzled. She folded her arms and eyed Landon with suspicion. “So, there was truly nothing going on between you and her?”
Landon didn’t want to talk to Anna. He turned away and left, his expression downcast.