Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila, troubled by this, couldn’t help but ask, “Do you have any idea where your sister might be?”
Calvin shook his head in frustration. “Even if her phone’s off, it should still emit some signal, but I’m getting nothing. Maybe they tossed her phone into the water or smashed it. Mom, shouldn’t we gather a group and head there now? We might still intercept them.”
Leila shook her head, feeling a chill creeping over her hands and feet, her thoughts in disarray. Yet, she managed to regain some semblance of calm. “It’s pointless. Cara’s actions are unpredictable, and she’s completely lost control. If we charge in now, it will only tip her off and provoke something even more drastic.” Her expression firmed as she made a decision. “I need to track down Landon now.” It seemed Cara’s erratic behavior stemmed from Landon’s absence.
Indeed, Cara, who had earlier gloated over unsettling Leila, was now seething with rage upon learning that her men had lost track of Landon. “You’re all fools! How do you lose track of someone? If there’s no update in half an hour, none of you will leave here alive!”
Her men were at their breaking point. They couldn’t fathom the tricks Landon used. Every time he disappeared, they were left with not even a trace of him.
They often managed to locate Landon only when he decided to return of his own accord. Unbeknownst to Landon, Cara had already uncovered the plot he had devised with Clayton.
Before Landon left, he assured Cara that he had urgent business to attend to and promised to take her to the island for their wedding celebration once he returned. After his departure, Cara found herself at a loss as to how to locate him. Ten minutes later, Keely arrived with Sophie and Elma. Sophie was blindfolded. The sound of Cara’s voice made her shudder.
Cara moved slowly toward Sophie, pinched her cheek, and said with chilling calmness, “Your face annoys me. You’re becoming more and more like your despicable mother every day.”
Despite her trembling, Sophie managed to respond defiantly, “My mother is nothing like what you say.”
Clap! Sophie was slapped hard.
Elma, standing close by, was overwhelmed with worry and tried to step in. However, before she could intervene, Cara forcefully shoved her aside. Elma collapsed to the floor but remained determined to get up. “Mom, you can’t attack Sophie like this. What you’re doing is against the law!”
Upon hearing Elma’s outcry, Sophie’s heart raced with anxiety.
Cara, her expression twisted into a cruel smirk, strode toward Elma and kicked her violently. The servants gasped in horror at the scene, while Keely, aware of Cara’s plan to dispose of Elma, watched impassively. Regardless of whether Cara and Landon stayed together, Elma’s fate seemed sealed.
Trembling in pain, Elma’s tear-streaked face lifted as she cried out, “Mom, it’s me, Elma.”
Elma had always known Cara’s disdain for her, but she never imagined Cara was capable of such cruelty.
Cara pressed her foot against Elma’s face, her eyes burning with fury. “Fool, I am not your mother. Your real mother is that wretch, Leila. Isn’t it ironic? Her long-lost daughter has been right here, calling me mom. I’m revealing the truth now, so you have no regrets in your final moments. Elma, consider yourself lucky for the kindness I’ve shown you.”
Sophie stiffened at these words. Was Elma really her long-lost sister? But that didn’t make sense. Elma’s age didn’t fit. What was the real story here?
Elma passed out, and Cara, growing impatient, snapped at Keely to call for a doctor. Cara knew she had to ensure Elma stayed alive before Landon’s return. Elma might still prove useful.
A thought struck Cara, and she turned to look at Sophie, noticing the sweat beading on her forehead. “Oh, I nearly forgot you were here.”
Blindfolded, Sophie’s senses heightened. Chills ran down her spine at the sound of Cara’s cold tone.
Sophie’s hands clenched into fists, her whole body shaking with fear.
Cara rested a hand on Sophie’s shoulder, a taunting smile curling her lips. “What exactly did you hear just now?”
Sophie saw no point in denying any further. Swallowing her apprehension, she asked, “Is Elma my blood sister?”
Cara’s laugh echoed coldly through the room. “Since you won’t be leaving here today, I suppose there’s no harm in telling you. Elma is Leila’s youngest daughter. She went missing all those years ago, and of course, she’s your sister.”
Sophie’s stomach twisted, fury bubbling beneath her skin as Cara casually continued, “Oh, and if you’re wondering why she looks younger than Calvin, I gave her an injection. It stunted her growth. She won’t live past forty years.”
Sophie clenched her fists, her blood boiling. Though she couldn’t see Cara due to the blindfold, she focused on Cara’s voice, hoping she could strangle the life out of her. How could someone be so vile?
“You’ll burn in hell for this! My mother won’t let you get away with it!” Sophie cursed, her voice thick with venom.
Cara’s laughter echoed, cold and triumphant. “I’ll be waiting for her, then. Let’s see who ends up in hell.”
Cara’s voice hardened, the chill unmistakable. “Restrain her.”
Meanwhile, Leila had tracked Landon down, thanks to Calvin’s help.
When Leila spotted Landon standing in front of the derelict villa, her heart skipped a beat. She rushed over with her team. Landon stood frozen in front of an abandoned villa, lost in thought. His hair and eyelashes sparkled with morning dew, making it clear he had been there for a while.
As Leila looked at the familiar, decaying building, memories washed over her.
Calvin tugged on Leila’s hand, his eyes wide with curiosity. “Mom, where are we?”
Leila smiled softly at him. “This is where your father and I used to live. It belonged to your great-grandfather. He was an important figure in our family.”
“Great-grandfather?” Calvin repeated, his small mind struggling to grasp the weight of the history.
Leila had never shared much about her past with Calvin.
Leila hadn’t visited Roderick’s grave in years.
Leila knelt, patting Calvin’s head gently. “Wait here for me. I’ll be back soon.”
At Leila’s approaching footsteps, Landon’s gaze cleared. He turned around. His subsequent words caught her off guard. “You aren’t Sarah.”
Leila’s brow furrowed for a moment before realization dawned. “Is that what they told you? So all this time, you thought I was Sarah? The woman you hated?”
Landon nodded slowly, his eyes filled with questions. He stepped closer to her, his voice barely a whisper. “Then, who are you?” His hand pressed to his temple as if trying to remember something that wouldn’t come. “I feel like I should know you. I ended up here without realizing it, almost like something was calling me back. Standing here, I… I remember flashes. I see myself living here with other people. You were one of them. But whenever I try to remember more, my head… It hurts.”
Leila’s breath caught in her throat. “Have you forgotten the past?”
Landon pressed his lips together, realizing he had said too much. He decided to drop the topic. Elma was still in Cara’s hands, and he couldn’t risk any revelations that might jeopardize his plan. His expression shifted, and he quickly said, “I’ve got something to handle. I am leaving.”
With that, he quickly started to walk away.
But Leila reached out, grabbing his arm. “You can’t leave just yet. You have to help me save Sophie and Elma. They’re in danger. You know they’re your children.”
Landon froze, disbelief washing over him. “What did you just say?” Leila hurriedly explained, the words tumbling out of her in a rush. “This is all Cara’s doing. I don’t know what she’s planning, but Sophie is your eldest daughter. You can’t abandon her. I can’t manage the rescue alone. They’re in Cara’s custody, and if I make the wrong move, it’ll only make things worse. You have to intervene and save them, Landon.”
Landon’s expression darkened, his focus sharpening. “Get in the car. I’m coming with you.”
As they got into the car, Landon held Leila’s hand, and fragments of blurry but persistent memories flared up in his mind. But as he tried to grasp them, his head pounded fiercely, forcing the memories back behind a veil.
“So, tell me, what’s your name?” Landon glanced at Leila.
Leila hesitated, her voice a whisper. “I’m Leila.”
Suddenly, something broke inside Landon’s mind, and a low hum filled his ears. His head felt like it was splitting apart. Leila. This familiar name was everything he had been searching for. But why? Why had he been looking for her? Why did they have children together? What had he forgotten? Who was she, and what kind of history did they share?
The pain became unbearable, and Landon let out a groan. Leila noticed his discomfort immediately, her eyes full of worry. “Landon, what’s wrong?”
Landon forced a smile through gritted teeth, shaking his head. “I’m fine. It’s nothing.” But his strained and weak voice betrayed him. Leila’s concern deepened. “You’re not fine. You need to see a doctor.”
Landon waved her off. “No. Right now, the only thing that matters is saving the kids. If I don’t get there, Cara will do something reckless.”
His eyes dropped, guilt gnawing at him. “I am sorry.”
He hadn’t regained all his memories yet, but he knew one thing for sure. Leila had once been the most important person in his life. Perhaps their bond had been beautiful once, but a tragic accident had stolen his memories, fracturing everything they had built together. What if he had regained his memory now? He had made a huge mistake.
Leila’s voice was soft but steady. “You don’t need to apologize. The past is gone. I don’t blame you for what happened. I want to live in peace with my children.”
Landon’s face was clouded with uncertainty. “Did I have a good relationship with Cara in the past?”
Leila shook her head. “No. You never had anything to do with her.”
Landon was astonished, confusion etching deeper lines into his face. In that case, how did he and Cara become Elma’s parents? Seeing his puzzlement, Leila offered an explanation, though bitterness laced her words. “Maybe when you lost your memory, she took care of you. Perhaps, over time, you grew close. Landon, I’ve told you I don’t hold you accountable for what happened, but I’m selfish. When you walked away from me, I stopped my children from acknowledging you as their father anymore. Let me make this clear. If Cara hurts Sophie, I won’t show mercy.”
Especially because Landon was with Cara now, Leila felt revenge was unavoidable. She would stop at nothing if Cara really did something to Sophie. Even if Landon chose to side with Cara, she wouldn’t soften her stance.
How absurd it was. They once shared a strong bond, yet now they found themselves on opposing sides.
Landon wanted to clarify that he barely had feelings for Cara and that he remained with the Morgan family solely for Elma’s sake.