Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Landon’s smile softened as his expression lit with happiness. He nodded, saying he understood.
Then, he turned on his heel and vanished into the sea of people.
Anxiety gnawed at Leila, leaving her feeling utterly powerless. All she could do was move with the tide of the crowd, pushing further inward. Amid the chaos, Landon completely slipped from her sight.
Thankfully, Leila met Clayton on the yacht. At last, she laid eyes on the woman Clayton had been protecting. The woman bore a striking resemblance to Clayton.
The woman’s anxiety was palpable. She huddled behind Clayton, darting nervous glances at everything and everyone around her.
Clayton waved Leila over immediately. Once they were together, he guided the two pregnant women below deck.
“I set up a room ahead of time. I didn’t expect to see you. Don’t worry. The room is safe. Even if they search, it will be nearly impossible to find you.”
Leila fought through her discomfort before finally asking, “Is she your sister?”
Clayton nodded, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. “She disappeared years ago. I poured all my effort into searching for her. Now, at last, I have found her.”
“She was missing for that long?” Leila gasped, her mind racing. Could it be… She dared not think further.
The Perry family must have targeted Clayton’s sister for her beauty. And it was true. His sister looked as delicate as a porcelain doll.
To think such an innocent girl had been through so much. Leila couldn’t help but sigh in sorrow.
Clayton’s face clouded with sadness as he gazed at his sister. He quickly turned away, fighting back tears. “But it’s okay now. I have found her, and things will get better. I have gathered enough evidence this time. They will pay for what they did.”
Leila nodded and said, “I’m willing to testify if you need me to.”
Clayton’s eyes flickered with a complex mix of emotions. After a moment, he replied softly, “Thank you.”
Leila was a bundle of nerves, her thoughts spiraling with worry about Landon. The yacht rocked violently, each sway intensifying her unease.
Clayton stepped outside to gather information and returned with news that the yacht had encountered a fierce storm.
Listening to the chaotic sounds outside, Leila sensed the situation wasn’t that simple. Panic surged within her, tightening her chest. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her belly.
Noticing her distress, Clayton rushed to her side and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Leila was drenched in sweat, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She struggled to find her voice. “I… I think I’m going into labor.”
Clayton’s anxiety spiked, his eyes widening in disbelief. “Now? But it’s not the right time.”
Summoning the last of her strength, Leila’s voice broke as she pleaded, “Please, send me to another room. You’ve just saved your sister. I can’t be the one to drag you down. If they find me, it’s my fate. I won’t complain.”
Clayton shook his head, his voice firm. “No, I can’t just stand by and watch you die.”
But at that moment, Leila’s ears seemed to close off his words. The searing pain surged through her, forcing a cry from her lips.
Startled, Clayton’s sister began to sob, pounding on the door in a desperate bid to escape.
Clayton glanced between the two women, his heart racing. He felt paralyzed, unsure of what to do as panic tightened its grip around him.
The pain was so excruciating that Leila felt like she was slipping into madness. She couldn’t remember what happened next. Only that her body took over, screaming instinctively as she fought to give birth.
Through the haze, Leila thought she saw Landon beside her. Landon gripped Leila’s hand tightly, his voice trembling with desperation. “You’re going to be okay, Leila. Just hold on a little longer. The doctor’s almost here. Just a little longer, I beg you.”
Leila had no strength to respond. She wanted to open her eyes and see Landon’s face again, but her vision blurred, and everything went dark as she drifted into unconsciousness.
Leila had no sense of how much time had gone by. When she finally opened her eyes, everything was blindingly white. For a brief moment, she wondered if she had died and arrived in heaven. But the throbbing ache in her body reminded her she was still very much alive.
Her eyes darted around the unfamiliar room, confusion clouding her thoughts. And then, like a bolt of lightning, it hit her. Where were her newborn babies? And Landon? With a hoarse voice, Leila managed to whisper, “My babies? Landon?”
Leila’s voice drew a nurse into the room. She hurried over, a smile softening her features. “You’re awake. That’s a good sign. You’ll be just fine now.”
But Leila’s voice cracked with fear. “My babies… Where are they? Where’s Landon?”
The nurse gently patted Leila’s back, trying to calm her. “Your babies are safe. They were born a little early, but they’re stable. They need to stay in the neonatal unit for a while.”
Relief washed over Leila, though a hint of wariness lingered. She eyed the nurse cautiously. “Who are you?”
“Where am I? And why am I here?”
Before the nurse could answer, the door swung open and someone walked in. It was Clayton. “You’re safe here. This is my place. There’s nothing to worry about.”
When Leila laid eyes on Clayton, a wave of relief washed over her, and she exhaled deeply. She recalled her dream, so vivid that it felt real, as if Landon had been right there with her. But why wasn’t Landon here now?
Clayton caught the look of confusion in her eyes. He quickly reassured her, “Landon is here too, but he passed out from his injuries. Don’t worry. He’s safe.”
Only then did Leila allow herself to relax. The tension she had carried for so long finally broke, and tears streamed down her face. She was free at last. She was safe, no longer living under constant threat.
Clayton, clearly flustered by her sudden tears, leaned closer. “Are you in pain? Please, don’t cry. You’re safe here. Just let me know if you need anything.”
Leila shook her head softly, brushing away Clayton’s hand as he tried to wipe her tears. “I’m fine,” she whispered. “It just feels like a dream.”
She glanced at the nurse, her eyes filled with longing. “Can I see my babies right now? Just for a moment. Even from a distance.”
The nurse hesitated, her eyes flicking toward Clayton. Clayton offered a gentle smile. “Leila, the most important thing right now is for you to rest.”
“Baby? Baby! Who’s trying to take my baby?” Suddenly, the door burst open, and a figure charged into the room, charging straight at Leila.
If not for Clayton’s quick reflexes, the person would have crashed into Leila.
Leila froze in shock and then recognized the person. It was Clayton’s younger sister.
But something was off about Clayton’s younger sister’s mental state, like a delicate thread fraying under too much tension. Her huge swollen belly was now flat, and she had a wild, unhinged look in her eyes. She clutched a rag doll tightly in her arms like a newborn.
Sensing Leila’s gaze on her, Clayton’s younger sister stared back, teeth bared and eyes ablaze with intensity.
Clayton stepped between them, speaking softly to his sister. “Cara, it’s me, your brother. There’s no need to be scared. I promise, no one is going to take your baby from you.”
Clayton did his best to soothe Cara, shooting Leila an apologetic smile.
But Cara was too far gone, her mind lost in grief. She pointed an accusing finger at Leila. “No! It’s her! She’s the one trying to steal my baby!”
Leila, still shaken, glanced at Clayton for an explanation. Clayton sighed heavily as he had Cara taken away.
His face was filled with regret as he explained, “That night, everything happened so fast. To find a safe place for you, I had to move you and my sister. You lost consciousness halfway through, and I failed to notice Cara tumble into the sea.
Fortunately, Landon saved her, but she lost her baby. She hasn’t been the same, especially mentally, since.” His voice was thick with regret. “I failed her.”
Leila’s heart ached for Cara. She had never meant to drag Clayton and Cara into her nightmare. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “This is all my fault.” Her voice softened with sincerity. “I’ll find the best doctors in the world. I’ll make sure Cara gets the help she needs.”
Clayton offered a bittersweet smile. “You don’t need to blame yourself. I’m just grateful we managed to save her at all costs. I’m relieved that she’s safe. Losing the baby was a tragedy. But maybe now she can find peace and rebuild her life.”
Leila noticed the sadness and helplessness reflected in Clayton’s eyes. She was at a loss for words to comfort him for a moment, so she just said, “Everything will be better. It’s going to be fine.”
Elsewhere, Saniya awoke in the dungeon. Her body was submerged up to her chest in freezing water, making each breath a struggle. Panic gripped her as she was overwhelmed by a bone-deep cold and a gripping terror.
“Is anyone around?” Saniya screamed, her voice echoing off the damp walls, struggling against the chains that held her down.
The cold gnawed at Saniya, and she cursed aloud, “Where the hell is everyone? Are you all dead? Do you even know who I am? Let me out!”
With a slow creak, the door to the dungeon opened. A group of men marched in, led by Griffin.
Griffin’s face was a mask of fury, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent as he stared down at Saniya.