Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Upon waking, Landon remembered nothing. Yet, his love for you was so profound that despite his memory loss, he kept his distance from Cara, never once being intimate with her. At that point, Cara feigned pregnancy, misleading Landon into thinking it occurred before his coma. A year later, Cara brought Elma back.”
Even though Clayton didn’t elaborate on what transpired next, Leila instinctively understood. Her heart ached with remorse and regret. Why hadn’t she thought to dig deeper? Why did she place her faith in the fabrications of others and believe Landon had betrayed her?
At that moment, Leila finally understood everything. She grasped why Landon had lost his memory yet persistently sought to get closer to her time and again. He was desperately trying to unlock a fragment of the past, but she had been oblivious to his struggles. She should have noticed his efforts.
Unable to hold back any longer, Leila crumbled, tears cascading down her cheeks in front of Clayton. Seeing her slender shoulders tremble slightly and her eyes swollen and red from crying, Clayton felt a wave of sympathy for her and gently placed his hand on Leila’s shoulder. He yearned to pull her into a comforting embrace.
Sensing something was wrong, Leila quickly pulled away from Clayton’s hand, her tear-filled eyes revealing a trace of caution. “Clayton, do you dare to swear on your honor that if a single word from your lips holds a trace of deceit, there will be consequences?”
Clayton forced a bitter smile but lifted his hand. “I swear, if I’m deceiving you, may I be doomed to face unbearable consequences.”
Leila felt a twinge of regret. If someone could commit evil, how could he be intimidated by mere vows? Yet, she remained at a loss, unsure of who to trust or how to proceed.
At least until she found Cara and Landon, she couldn’t afford to sever ties with Clayton. Despite this, Leila stepped aside, trying to maintain some distance from him.
Clayton’s eyes flickered with concern as he caught her subtle movement. “Leila, I admit I wasn’t upfront with you from the start. Is that the reason you don’t like me?”
Now much more composed, Leila shifted her gaze to the passing scenery outside the car window. “Upset isn’t quite the word. I get it. If I were in your position, I’d also prioritize family over an outsider. But Clayton, let me be crystal clear. When I find Cara, even if she is dead, I won’t be extending any forgiveness. She is the reason my family has been fractured for so many years, leaving us torn apart and unable to reunite.”
Clayton opened his mouth, wanting to respond, but as he glimpsed the storm brewing in her expression, he remained silent. What good would it do to argue? Leila would stick to her plans no matter what. In all honesty, he was fortunate Leila wasn’t venting her rage at him for Cara’s actions.
Upon reaching the hospital, the doctors hurriedly examined the two children. Sophie’s condition, thankfully, wasn’t too severe. She had only suffered a few minor injuries. But Elma’s case was far more troubling. The doctor turned to Leila, his expression grave. “This kid has sustained internal injuries. It appears she was struck with significant force, possibly by something sharp. I suspect she was kicked hard in the abdomen. We’re still evaluating the extent of the internal bleeding. On top of that, she’s been drugged, which has compromised her immune system.”
Seeing the desperation in Leila’s eyes, the doctor hesitated before letting out a heavy sigh. “But rest assured, we will do our best.”
Leila’s vision blurred, and she almost collapsed under the weight of the news. For the next three days, Leila hardly ate or drank as she remained by Elma’s side in the hospital. Elma’s surgery had gone relatively well, but she was still unconscious. Not only did Leila stay by Elma’s side, but she also kept a vigilant eye on the information filtering in from her men.
Edgar had taken a team to search for Landon. They scoured the banks of the river for hours, but not even a body was found. Despite this, Leila felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. Could it be that Landon was still alive somewhere?
But Edgar felt despair creeping in. He had checked the underground river. Because Landon was injured and the current was rushing so violently, experts had warned that he was likely swept away to a deeper part of the river. Even if Landon managed to drag himself ashore, the nearby caves were damp and cold, devoid of anything, not even a hint of sunlight. Under such dire circumstances, how could a person with injuries survive? But Edgar refrained from sharing this unsettling analysis with Leila. He feared it would be too heavy for her to bear.
There were still so many things Leila needed to handle. Thus, Edgar could only offer words of solace, hoping to lighten her heart. Perceiving his intentions, Leila simply smiled and said, “Don’t worry about me. I’m holding up well. In fact, I even dreamt about Landon. He reassured me that he was doing fine and urged me to have faith in him. I’m okay. If I can see him in my dreams, that’s more than enough. At least his face will remain etched in my memory.”
Edgar’s heart broke with each passing moment. He had witnessed the trials and tribulations Landon and Leila had faced together. Steeling himself, he declared, “Please rest assured, even if it’s only his body, I’ll bring him back to you.”
Leila responded with a gentle smile, choosing silence over words.
Leila tenderly stroked Elma, who lay unmoving on the hospital bed. Many days had passed, but Elma showed no indications of waking up.
Seeing Elma’s pale little face made Leila’s heart twist with pain. At that moment, all she could offer was a gentle kiss on Elma’s cheek. If fate allowed, she would gladly trade her life for Landon’s and Elma’s, wishing for their safety and well-being.
After sitting for what felt like an eternity, dizziness swirled in Leila’s head like a storm. Rising to her feet, Leila intended to splash some water on her face to wash away the haze clouding her mind.
As she made her way, she suddenly spotted a figure standing not too far away. It was… It was none other than Landon. His smile radiated warmth, just as it always had. The instant he saw Leila, he strode toward her with quick steps.
“Landon.” Leila’s voice trembled as she called out to him, a desperate urge to rush into his arms swelling within her. But just as she reached out, he vanished into thin air. Suddenly, Leila was startled by the sound of Elma’s voice echoing from the hospital room.
Hurrying back, Leila discovered that Elma, who had been in a coma, had finally awakened.
Elma glanced around, visibly disoriented. Upon spotting Leila, she timidly murmured, “Auntie.”
Tears of joy cascaded down Leila’s cheeks as she rushed to envelop Elma in a gentle embrace, careful not to squeeze Elma too tightly.
Feeling Elma in her arms, Leila knew this moment was real, not a mere dream. “Good girl. I’m not Auntie. I’m your mother, your real mother. Can you call me mom?” Leila gazed at Elma expectantly, who met her gaze with a complex expression in her eyes.
Understanding Elma’s hesitation, Leila couldn’t help but smile wistfully. However, she wasn’t offended. She tenderly smoothed Elma’s hair. “It’s alright. I will hold on for the day you accept me. I suppose it’s my fault for rushing things.”
Elma found herself at a loss for words, unable to articulate the swirl of emotions within her. The only vivid memory she had was of Cara kidnapping her and Sophie. Overwhelmed by the agony and terror coursing through her, she gradually slipped into unconsciousness, leaving her with no recollection of what transpired afterward. Now, as she finally opened her eyes, Leila was here, telling her that she was her mother.
Elma was convinced this had to be a fleeting dream. It had to be fake. If she were to accept it as reality, the thought of waking up from this pleasant dream would plunge her into sadness.
Outside, the rain fell in torrents, drumming against the windows like a restless heart. Meanwhile, Landon awoke with a start, his eyes fluttering open to find himself enveloped in unfamiliar surroundings.
Landon shifted slightly, only to be greeted by a sharp pain. He realized he was in a private residence, which appeared modest from the layout. His clothes had been changed, and his wounds were carefully bandaged. Attempting to move brought only intensified pain, prompting Landon to remain still. He called out, his voice hoarse, “Is anyone there? Hello?”
Shortly after, the door opened, and a little girl entered. She was thin, with an ordinary appearance but lively, big eyes that reminded him of a deer in the mountains. She appeared to be about the same age as Elma.
Upon noticing Landon was awake, the girl hurried over and poured him a cup of water from a worn kettle. Landon felt distressed seeing her struggle with the kettle, but she managed to serve the water successfully.
She brought the cup to Landon’s side. “Here, have some water,” she said in a local dialect that Landon surprisingly understood.
Landon thanked her, took a sip of the water, and felt immediate relief. The little girl reminded him of Elma, softening his expression.
“Hello. Can you tell me, was it you who saved me?” Landon asked with difficulty.
The girl nodded and then shook her head. “It wasn’t me. It was my sister who saved you. She said you need to take good care of yourself, or you’ll feel uncomfortable.”
“Could I meet your sister? I’d like to thank her in person,” Landon asked.
The girl giggled. “No, you can’t. My sister is busy treating other people right now. She’ll come to see you when she’s free.”
Landon nodded and then remembered something crucial. “Do you have a phone? I need to contact my family.” The girl shook her head. “It has rained heavily recently, and the floodwaters are rising. There’s no signal here.” Landon felt a wave of surprise. Where had he ended up? He posed a few more questions to the girl, inquiring if her sister had come across anyone else while rescuing him and how distant the city was from their location. The young girl admitted her ignorance with a simple, “I don’t know.”
As Landon looked into her bright eyes, he offered a gentle smile. “Sorry, I’m just a bit worried. I’ll ask your sister when she has time.”
The girl nodded understandingly, and just as she turned to leave, a sudden thought made her turn back with a beaming smile. “Sir, you look like a movie star with your height and good looks.”
“What’s your name?” Landon asked, his expression softening.
After a brief pause, she replied, “I’m Jeanee. I need to go now. Bye!”
With that, Jeanee waved cheerily and scampered away.
Landon observed the pouring rain outside, confirming the truth in Jeanee’s words. Her kindness hinted at her sister’s good nature as well.
Despite Landon’s desire to stay alert, exhaustion overtook him, and he drifted into sleep. He was unsure how much time had passed when he awoke to find a figure sitting next to him in the dimness.
Memories of Leila surged, overwhelming Landon with sorrow and regret. Instinctively, he grasped the woman’s hand and whispered, “Leila, is that you?”
As Landon’s eyes adjusted, he realized he was looking at a stranger. This woman bore a striking resemblance to Jeanee, with her calm demeanor and expressive eyes. Yet, her face remained impassive, her expression unreadable. Being held by Landon’s hand, the woman appeared slightly flustered, her cheeks tinging with a blush.
When Landon realized his mistake, he quickly released her hand. “I’m sorry, I thought you were someone else.” The woman cleared her throat lightly. “It’s okay.”
The silence lingered until Landon broke it. “Could you tell me where I am? Earlier, your sister mentioned the flooding and the lack of a signal here. You seem kind. It’s crucial for me to connect with my wife and kids. Can you help me reach them?”
Landon, typically reserved and stoic, poured out his concerns without hesitation. After speaking, he awaited the woman’s response with hopeful eyes.
Instead of answering, the woman showed a hint of annoyance. “Is there anything more vital than your life? Had I found you even a moment later, you might not have made it.”
Landon’s frown eased as he replied gently, “Thank you for your kindness, Miss, but it’s urgent that I contact them.” His thoughts turned to Leila and the kids, likely frantic with worry, especially Leila. The idea that Leila might be suffering from sleepless nights or skipping meals hurt him deeply.
The woman peered at Landon, her face unreadable. “Is she truly that significant to you?”
Landon nodded without hesitation. “Yes, she’s everything to me.”
The woman exhaled softly. “You need time to heal before you can even think about leaving. Given the circumstances, without the ability to fly, leaving now is impossible.”
Realizing the truth in her words, Landon didn’t push further. She had, after all, saved rather than harmed him.
Introducing himself, he took the lead. “My name is Landon, from the Kensington family in Burmoos. Your kindness won’t be forgotten, and should I manage to leave here safely, I promise to repay you.”
The woman nodded with a neutral expression. “I’m Lacey Payne. The girl you met earlier is my sister, Jeanette Payne. You can call her Jeanee.”
Landon responded with a polite nod. “Thank you, Miss Payne.” Just then, Jeanette appeared with a bowl of medicine, offering it to Landon with a smile. “Sir, drink your medicine.” The room filled with the potent scent of the medicine. Landon hesitated, not drinking immediately, and asked with a hint of surprise, “Are you a doctor?”