Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila chuckled, recalling what Sophie’s kindergarten teacher had said: that Sophie was a bright child with a knack for learning and a talent for academics, except when it came to mathematics. The mere thought of studying math made Sophie uneasy. She would often doze off during math class and had no interest in ever cracking open a textbook. Mathematics was simply not in her nature.
Leila harbored her own selfish desires. She wanted to bestow everything she had upon Sophie, but she didn’t want to limit her potential or dictate her future. Every child was like a flower bud; before they blossomed, there was no need to obsess over what kind of flower they would become.
Leila didn’t stress about how Sophie would turn out. Regardless of the outcome, Sophie was still her daughter. The drive behind Leila’s hard work was to pave the way for Sophie’s future happiness and freedom.
Reflecting on this, Leila took a deep breath and planted a gentle kiss on Sophie’s cheek. “Alright, you can come with me to the show. You’ll get to meet lots of famous stars.”
Sophie clapped her hands with delight and giggled, her beaming smile melting Leila’s heart.
Leila made a special effort to find the time to visit the hospital. After the doctor announced the results, Leila’s hand tightened on the edge of her coat, her nerves on edge. Then, all at once, the anxiety and unease that had haunted her for the past few days seemed to vanish.
Leila couldn’t understand why she was pregnant. “I’ve had numerous tests before, and they all said my endometrium was too thin. I’d had miscarriages, and the chances of conceiving again were almost zero. How is this even possible?”
The doctor adjusted her glasses and offered a small, reassuring smile. “Your chances were low, but not impossible. You’ve been attentive to your health in recent years. Your careful attention to your body, improved mood, and overall well-being have made a noticeable difference. The baby’s father must also be in good health, so it’s not surprising that you’re pregnant. I recommend regular check-ups. We’ve only just confirmed your pregnancy, but whether you can carry to term will depend on the baby’s development from here.”
“For how long have I been pregnant?” Leila asked, her curiosity piqued.
“About a month,” the doctor replied.
A month? Leila was bewildered. She hadn’t noticed any symptoms in the past month.
After bidding farewell to the doctor, Leila wandered into the corridor, her mind in a daze. Staring at the report in her hand, she was lost in thought. Should she keep the baby? Logic screamed no. Her relationship with Landon was in ruins, and Sophie couldn’t experience a typical family environment as she grew up. Bringing another child into this chaotic world seemed unfair.
However, Leila’s intrusive thoughts resisted the idea of abortion. After all, she had time to think about it and decide. There was no need to rush.
As Leila stood up and prepared to leave, she unexpectedly crossed paths with someone she knew. Sarah regarded Leila with a bemused expression, a sneer playing at her lips. Sarah’s face was pale, and her walking style seemed awkward and unsteady.
Determined to avoid confrontation, Leila quickened her pace. Out of the blue, Sarah spun around and blocked Leila’s path. Without warning, Sarah snatched the medical report from Leila’s hands. Her eyes skimmed the paper, and her expression shifted to confusion and complexity. Soon, her reaction morphed into one of gloating jealousy and excitement.
Leila tried to retrieve the report, but her attempt was met with Sarah’s loud voice echoing down the hallway. Her face twisted into a malicious smile. “Are you pregnant? A single mom, knocked up again? Whose baby is it this time? Do you even know? Or is this just another messy chapter in your scandalous life?”
Unable to tolerate Sarah any longer, Leila’s eyes flashed with anger, and without hesitation, she slapped Sarah hard across the face. The sound echoed down the hallway as Sarah stumbled back, recoiling in pain and dropping the report. Leila swiftly snatched the report back, her voice ice-cold. “What does any of this have to do with you?”
Sarah buried her face in her hands, her pride refusing to give up. “How dare you hit me?”
Leila plastered on a false smile and said, “Even if I hit you again right now, you’d be powerless to stop me.”
Sarah’s eyes turned red with frustration and anger. She glared at Leila, feeling utterly wronged. Gone was the quiet, submissive Leila who once lived under someone else’s roof. Now, Leila had changed, and Sarah could do nothing to intimidate her.
Refusing to relent, Sarah continued to malign Leila, spreading rumors about her being an immoral single mother carrying a child fathered by a strange man. As the crowd around them grew, their attention shifted. Instead of condemning Leila, murmurs of disapproval for Sarah began to rise.
“What’s wrong with being a single mother? Can’t she have a boyfriend if she wants?” someone in the crowd muttered.
“Exactly,” another chimed in. “What’s this woman’s problem? Just because someone is divorced doesn’t mean they can’t find love again.”
“Besides, you’re a woman too. How can you be so heartless as to humiliate a single mother like this?”
Sarah hadn’t anticipated the crowd’s reaction. Panic flared in her chest as she weakly defended herself. “That’s not what I meant. Her private life is dubious, and she’s been tangled up with a string of men. She’s carrying a bastard child. My comments were specifically meant for her alone, not for other single mothers.”
“That’s enough!” A man’s voice cut through the noise, sharp with anger. Errol strode forward, his gaze fixed on the obstinate Sarah. The blue veins on his forehead pulsed visibly, betraying his growing frustration.
Leila’s expression changed when she saw Errol. Her anxiety deepened when she noticed Landon standing beside him. She had no idea how much either of them had overheard. Landon’s eyes, shadowed by his mask, seemed to hold a deeper meaning as they met Leila’s.
Feeling a surge of panic, Leila tightened her grip on the report she was holding, an overwhelming urge to escape bubbling up inside her. Errol’s eyes flashed with frustration as he turned to Sarah, who seemed utterly defiant. His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “Have you already forgotten what you promised me? Besides, you’re pregnant now, about to become a mother. Can’t you at least try to speak nicely?”
Tears welled in Sarah’s eyes. She bit her lower lip and was on the verge of breaking down at any moment. Putting on a facade of innocence, as though she were the wronged party, Sarah exclaimed, “But I’m telling the truth! Aren’t you surprised that Leila’s pregnant? Why are you defending her? Is she having your child?” She hissed, her voice low enough that even those closest could barely hear.
Leila could hardly tear her gaze away from Landon, who remained silent, his eyes obscured behind his mask. Leila couldn’t decipher his thoughts.
Errol’s anger flared. “Let me make this clear. If you keep this up, I’ll have you sent away immediately. I may owe you my life, but that doesn’t mean you can manipulate me or act however you please. Don’t test my patience any further.”
Upon hearing his words, Sarah’s defiance crumbled. She lowered her head and shrank back, fear evident in her posture. After handling Sarah, Errol turned to Leila and Landon with a strained smile. “I apologize. My wife’s pregnant, and her hormones… they’re all over the place. It’s been making her moods unpredictable. Furthermore, the baby isn’t in the best health, which only intensifies her distress. She’s made mistakes, and I apologize for any hard feelings she caused. If there’s a problem, hold me accountable.”
Leila was astonished to learn that Sarah was carrying Errol’s child. She had known Errol was forced to marry Sarah for reasons unknown, but she had never imagined they would have a baby together. From the look on Errol’s troubled face, it was clear that fatherhood was not what he had hoped for. Leila knew it wasn’t her business, and she had no intention of getting involved.
As Errol led Sarah away, she shot one last glance over her shoulder at Leila. She looked at Leila’s belly, her eyes cold and filled with malice, like a predator sizing up its prey. A shiver ran down Leila’s spine.
With Sarah gone, only Leila and Landon remained. Leila’s face showed a mix of emotions as she looked at Landon. “What are you doing here with Errol?”
Landon replied honestly, “I went to your house, but Sophie told me you weren’t home. Then, Trent mentioned you weren’t feeling well and had gone to the hospital. I came here because I was worried about you. I happened to run into Errol at the entrance.”
Leila tightened her grip on the report in her hand. “Did you hear everything?”
Landon grinned and replied, “If you don’t want me listening in, I promise I won’t…”
His gaze drifted to the report she was holding in her hand. “I won’t force you to tell me anything you’re not ready to share.”
Despite his words, Leila’s mind was still in turmoil. She tossed the report into a nearby trash can and sighed. “I hope you’ll remember what you said.” Leila brushed past Landon, heading for the exit.
Landon followed her and asked cautiously, “Are you upset that I came to see you? If my being here bothers you, I won’t come again.” His voice was gentle and cautious, a stark contrast to the arrogant and aloof Landon Leila had once known.
Leila wasn’t angry with Landon. She was just overwhelmed, unsure of how to handle the situation. Looking at him, regret tugged at Leila for snapping at him earlier. After a moment’s hesitation, she stopped and turned to him. “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just that a lot has happened recently, and I’m exhausted.”
Noticing the wind picking up outside, Landon immediately slipped off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. “I understand. It’s okay. I only came to see if you were alright. If you’re fine, I’ll head back.”
For a moment, Leila hesitated, then called after Landon, silently cursing herself for always being so softhearted. “Come and have dinner with us tonight,” she said. “Sophie’s been missing you a lot.”
Landon’s eyes brightened instantly. He approached Leila with a cheerful stride. Despite the mask, Leila could sense the smile in his eyes. Eagerly, Landon followed Leila, and after some convincing, she agreed to let him cook.
Whenever Landon visited Leila’s home, he would shed his usual disguise, removing the mask that hid his face. Tonight, Landon wore a simple white shirt that only seemed to emphasize his tall and solid frame, an apron tied snugly around his waist. He looked every bit the devoted husband. He worked with intense focus, every movement deliberate and precise, as if he were creating a masterpiece rather than merely preparing a meal.
The light above the stove cast soft shadows over Landon’s face, highlighting the long sweep of his lashes. It was hard to reconcile this serene, domestic image of Landon with the infamous “ME Lando” he was known to be.
The dishes Landon prepared were all Leila’s and Sophie’s favorites, tailored to their tastes with meticulous touch. Sophie was ecstatic, her small hands clasping Leila’s in one and Landon’s in the other, beaming with joy from her seat in the middle.
Tyrone joined them for dinner, appearing much better than he had in days. He seemed more at ease, finally trusting that those around him meant no harm, and he was beginning to interact more freely. Yet, without Jenny by his side, he still felt insecure. Leila was forced to call Jenny over.
Predictably, Jenny wasn’t there to join the meal. She stood off to the side, her complexion ghostly, her frame noticeably thinner. It looked as if she had suffered greatly. Leila hadn’t laid a hand on Jenny. Last time, Jenny had coerced Leila, demanding she swap Tyrone for Landon. Jenny hadn’t anticipated that her actions would plunge her into misery.
Landon had simply instructed his men to handle Jenny. Everyone in his circle knew Leila was the love of his life, so they showed Jenny no mercy. Nevertheless, Jenny couldn’t hold Leila responsible; she could only curse her own foolishness.
When Jenny saw Landon remove his mask, her eyes widened in shock. Her voice, raspy with disbelief, questioned, “Aren’t you supposed to never take off that mask?”
Landon merely gave Jenny a cold look and dismissed her. Leila, too, had no desire to engage with Jenny.
Sophie rolled her eyes exaggeratedly and declared with a hint of purpose, “He only removes his mask around my mother because he’s comfortable with her. But he refuses to do so around anyone else. If not for my mother, you’d likely never see his face.” Jenny felt a pang in her heart upon hearing this. Sophie had clearly said this intentionally. Despite her youth, she was far from stupid.
Tyrone returned, and Sophie eagerly anticipated this moment. Yet, he disregarded everyone. Though Leila did her best to console Sophie, her spirits remained low. Sophie blamed Jenny for locking Tyrone up and drugging him, making him forget them.
Understanding Sophie’s insinuations, Jenny sneered maliciously, “Why so smug? I doubt your mother and Landon will end up together. You deserve to be fatherless.”
Clap! Leila slammed her spoon down hard. Her gaze at Jenny was piercing. “Do you really think I wouldn’t dare touch you just because you have my grandfather under your control?”
Rattled, Jenny sought Tyrone’s protection. But before she could reach him, bodyguards blocked her path. Tyrone continued to eat, utterly ignoring Jenny’s ordeal. In his world, the only thing that mattered was having Jenny by his side.
Jenny’s face first turned red with anger and then paled with fear. She had no other option but to kneel and offer Sophie an apology. When Jenny rose to her feet and surveyed the room, her gaze held nothing but clear resentment and hostility toward the three observers.
Later that evening, both Leila and Sophie were struck with severe stomach pains. Landon, who hadn’t departed yet, hastened to their side upon receiving the distressing news. Confronted with their ashen complexions, he felt a surge of panic, his first ever. However, Landon soon regained his composure and directed Trent to rush them to the hospital.
As they were leaving, a glint of determination flashed in Landon’s eyes. He quickly called Edgar, instructing him to arrive promptly and keep an eye on Jenny.
Thanks to their timely arrival at the hospital, Leila and Sophie would recover after some treatment. Yet, Leila’s pregnancy complicated matters; she nearly miscarried. Landon had suspected Leila was pregnant when he saw her at the hospital earlier that day. However, at that time, her spirits were low, and she showed no desire to see him.
Assuming she wanted to terminate the pregnancy, Landon felt a wave of sorrow but respected her decision nonetheless. Lying on the bed, Leila was in such agony that sweat drenched her, and her face turned ashen. Yet, she clung to Landon’s hand, murmuring words without awareness, “My baby. Save my baby.”