Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Yet, Saniya’s response was to exaggerate her plight, appearing even more miserable as the days passed.
Saniya snapped, “Leila, my demands haven’t changed! Agree to my terms, and I’ll disclose Evita’s location. Disagree, and I remain silent. Either way, my fate is sealed in your hands.”
“And what exactly do you want from me?” As a chair was brought in, Leila took a seat.
With a scoff, Saniya challenged, “Tell me whether you agree.”
Saniya felt confident Leila would relent for Evita’s whereabouts.
Leila’s expression turned cold. She finally said, “Fine. I agree with you.”
Malice sparkled in Saniya’s eyes as she stared at Leila. “My demand isn’t excessive. You’ll accompany me as a hostage. Once we’re beyond this country’s borders, I’ll reveal Evita’s location. If you doubt my words, I can at least tell you the name of the town where she’s hiding, without specifying the address. What? Fearing I might fool you?”
Leila stared at Saniya, her face a mask of disbelief. “Why would you need me as a hostage? After what you did to Landon’s daughter, he won’t simply let you off because of me.”
Saniya’s sneer deepened. “Stop pretending. I’m aware that Landon holds you dear. With you in my custody, he wouldn’t dare do anything reckless. Are you reluctant to cooperate? Without my information, you’ll remain clueless about Evita’s whereabouts.”.
Leila inhaled sharply. “Alright. I accept. Once our team locates Evita, I’ll accompany you abroad. With me as your hostage, Landon will hold back. However, if I suffer any harm, I cannot predict his reaction. He might just lose his mind.”
Saniya’s sneer lingered as she refrained from replying to Leila.
As Leila stepped out of the room where Saniya was detained, she collided directly with someone.
Upon noticing Leila’s troubled expression, Landon’s concern grew immediately. He steadied her, his voice laced with worry. “What did Saniya want? It doesn’t involve you or Sophie, does it?”
Landon’s gaze pierced through Leila, as if he could read her thoughts effortlessly.
Landon always had such keen and discerning eyes. Trying to mask her unease and panic, Leila held his gaze firmly, her hand gripping his tightly. Without denying it, she responded, “Yes.”
Landon’s face transformed in an instant, his eyes clouding with concern as he moved to walk into the room. Leila quickly held him back. “Wait. Let me finish. She did make a request, but it’s one I can reject.”
Landon eyed Leila with a hint of skepticism. “Really?”
With a nod and a light chuckle, Leila reassured him. “Why would I lie to you? I know you too well. If you wanted the truth, you’d uncover it easily.”
Feeling his suspicion wane, Landon tightened his grip on her hand, his expression softening with empathy. “You know, I could probably track down Evita myself. But there’s a strange group involved that prevents me from locating her. Things are tricky. Why not give me a little more time? I hate to see you troubled by Saniya’s demands.”
Leila shook her head resolutely and replied, “No, we can’t afford to delay. If we do, something might happen to Evita. By then, if someone instigates Elaine, she’ll turn against Ewing. I have to help Ewing. If it weren’t for his protection when Sophie and I were with the Nixons, we might not have made it.”
Memories of those tough times lingered with Leila. Abram and his family, especially Bria, had repeatedly tried to harm Leila.
On the day Leila went into labor, they had plotted against her, and she and Sophie nearly lost their lives. Ewing had halted everything to safeguard Leila continuously for three days and nights.
Throughout Leila’s recuperation after giving birth, Ewing was a constant presence, never leaving her side. He was her cousin, but she had always looked up to him more like a big brother.
Landon pulled Leila close and assured her, “Don’t worry. I won’t make any rash moves. Anyone who matters to you matters to me.”
There were still a few days before Saniya was set to leave. Leila and Landon began to strategize. Their best bet was to extract information from Saniya and then ensure she remained within their reach domestically.
Leila genuinely didn’t wish harm upon Saniya.
However, since Saniya knew of Evita’s location, she inevitably had ties to the mastermind. Once the mastermind was tipped off, knowing where Evita was held captive would be pointless.
As the appointed day neared, Leila’s anxiety mounted. Perhaps her strength was ebbing. Morning sickness had gripped her barely a month into her pregnancy, and her weight began to drop.
Landon, deeply concerned, enlisted top nutritionists from across the country. Yet, the efforts bore no fruit.
Determined, Landon took to the kitchen himself, learning from the nutritionists and donning an apron each evening upon his return home. His commitment intensified.
Together, Landon and Leila gently coaxed Sophie into accepting that Landon was her real father.
But Sophie was resolute. She clung to the memories of her early years, years when Landon was absent, leaving a void when she needed him most.
She resisted calling him “Dad,” opting instead for “Landon.”
Landon, frustrated, realized there wasn’t much he could do. Leila and Sophie were the only ones who could make him feel so helpless.
That evening, after the nightly bedtime story, a wave of discomfort overtook Leila.
She winced, pressing a hand to her chest in an attempt to soothe the pain, just as Sophie stirred beside her.
“Mommy,” Sophie called out softly, waking up with a yawn and lightly patting Leila’s chest.
Leila felt a mix of sympathy and gratitude for Sophie’s thoughtfulness. She gently tucked Sophie back under the covers. “It’s so cold. Make sure you don’t catch a cold.”
Sophie snuggled closer, with only her fluffy head visible. Her large eyes blinked sweetly.
“Mommy, do you think the baby in your tummy is a girl or a boy?” Sophie asked with childlike curiosity.
Leila smiled and gave a playful shrug.
“I’m not sure yet. Would you prefer a little sister or a little brother?”
Sophie’s laughter filled the room. “I want both, a sister and a brother!”
Leila chuckled, playfully pinching Sophie’s nose. “My, aren’t you greedy?”
Sophie moved in closer and whispered to Leila’s still-flat belly, “Little brother or sister, you must be good. Mommy isn’t feeling well. Please don’t make it harder for her.”
Leila was about to laugh at the sweet gesture. A one-month-old embryo was far from understanding Sophie’s tender words, yet Leila noticed her spirits lift inexplicably.
She caressed her belly and murmured, “Boy or girl, it seems like you’re already listening to your big sister.”
Sophie placed her hands on her hips and let out a thoughtful hum. “Of course. If they step out of line, I’ll be right there to straighten them out.”
The room filled with their hearty laughter, casting a warm, inviting glow around them.
Then, a loud knock abruptly shattered the tranquil moment. Edgar stepped in. His usual calm demeanor had given way to a rare sign of distress, beads of cold sweat dotting his forehead.
Despite this, his customary smile lingered. Upon spotting Sophie, his voice softened as he addressed Leila, “Madam, could I have a word? It’s important.”
Leila, noticing Edgar’s unusual state, grew concerned. She gently patted Sophie’s back, urging, “Go get some rest.” With that, she followed Edgar out.
As the door clicked shut behind them, Edgar’s composed facade crumbled. The usually unshakeable man looked as though he might collapse in front of Leila. “Something terrible has happened!”
Leila’s anxiety peaked. “Is it Landon?” she asked, her voice tense.
Edgar nodded solemnly, his eyes filled with sorrow for Landon.
Feeling a wave of nausea, Leila nearly faltered, but Edgar caught her just in time to steady her.
Edgar immediately regretted his decision. “Mr. Kensington advised against telling you, but you had to know. Just try to remain calm for your daughter’s sake.”
With her fists tightly clenched to maintain her composure, Leila inhaled sharply and asked, “What happened to Landon?”
Edgar simply escorted Leila to the hospital.
This was the first time Leila had seen Landon in such a grave condition.
Landon’s body was riddled with severe injuries, tubes protruding from him in every direction.
The only sign that he was still alive was the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor next to his bed. His face was marred by dreadful wounds.
Tears welled up in Leila’s eyes, despite her previous belief that her feelings for him had faded. Though her decision to remarry him was driven by their children’s needs, at least in her perception, the sight of him so vulnerable tore at her heart.