Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Perhaps…
Landon had deliberately chosen not to attend the event with Lacey, as it wasn’t the right time to show himself.
If Clayton discovered he was there, it would only complicate things and could put them all in danger.
Seeing Jeanette’s tearful face, Landon knelt down beside her, his voice soft.
‘Why don’t you tell me more about this ‘pretty lady’? Describe her to me and I’ll help you find her.
I know a lot of people in town, and someone like her should be easy to track down.’
Jeanette’s eyes sparkled with renewed hope.
‘I don’t know her name, but she’s so pretty and wonderful!
She’s soft and kind, and she has children.
She even invited me to her house to play with them.
She was so kind!’
His voice softened as he remembered Leila’s warmth.
Landon smiled, delighted by Jeanette’s enthusiasm.
The image of Leila crossed his mind, as something in Jeanette’s description reminded him of Leila’s kind spirit.
But he quickly dismissed the thought.
After all, Lacey knew Leila was his wife.
If Leila had attended the party, Lacey would no doubt have recognized and informed her.
Landon stroked Jeanette’s head, his voice comforting.
‘Okay, I think I have a pretty good idea who this lady might be.
I’ll do my best to find her and I promise I’ll let you know as soon as I do.’
Jeanette’s mood changed, her earlier sadness giving way to a bright, confident smile.
She began to enthusiastically describe the vivid scenes of the party, her hands gesturing animatedly as she painted a vivid picture of twinkling lights, swirling dresses and laughter that seemed to fill every corner.
She remarked that the event was grander than any festival or fair she had ever seen.
As he listened to her, Landon couldn’t help a twinge of nostalgia for his own children, their laughter and smiles suddenly clear in his mind, reminding him of what he missed most.
Meanwhile, across town, Lacey was growing increasingly restless, sitting in a quiet corner of the caf?, looking anxiously towards the door.
It had been almost two hours since she had arrived.
She absently stirred her now cold coffee just as the door finally opened and Sarah walked in.
Sarah’s entrance made everyone look.
She wore bright, almost garish colours and layers of vibrant fabrics that seemed to overwhelm her slender frame, giving her an awkward, mismatched appearance.
Her make-up was in bold tones, at odds with her pale skin.
People passing by looked at Sarah curiously, even judgmentally, some quickly averting their eyes, while others whispered among themselves.
Under the disapproving gaze of those present, Sarah’s arrogance faded, and for a moment she lowered her head, feeling self conscious.
She sat across from Lacey, her expression tense with frustration.
Lacey watched Sarah with a mixture of sympathy and doubt.
She considered pointing out that Sarah’s choice of attire was not particularly flattering, but preferred to avoid hurting her feelings.
Instead, she offered a polite smile and extended her hand.
‘Hello, Miss Miller.’
Sarah crossed her arms, her posture tensing as she responded to Lacey’s gesture with a curt retort.
‘A handshake? And by what right do you assume you can extend such familiarity?’
Surprised by Sarah’s scathing tone, Lacey’s face reflected a brief expression of shock.
She recalled their earlier encounter at Cody’s, who had shown no signs of such haughtiness.
Regaining her composure, Sarah softened her attitude, a hint of remorse shining in her eyes.
‘I apologize, Miss Payne.
That wasn’t necessary.
It’s just overwhelming, dealing with who I am now.’
Sarah rummaged through her purse and pulled out a worn photo album, handing it to Lacey.
Lacey’s gaze sharpened, her pupils subtly constricting as she processed the contents with growing intrigue.
In the album were photographs of a striking, almost magnetic-looking man and a woman whose radiant beauty illuminated the frame.
The closeness of the couple was evident in the photo, with the woman resting comfortably against the man, her smile warm and luminous as she gazed into the camera.
The photos left no room for doubt.
The vibrant woman, glowing with health, was Sarah from her happiest days, and the man next to her was unmistakably Landon.
Lacey’s fingers trembled as she clutched the photo album tightly.
‘Could this woman have known Landon?’ she muttered to herself.
Lacey quickly regained her composure.
She looked down, hiding her thoughts with a shocked expression.
‘Miss Miller, was this picture taken in your younger years? You were incredibly beautiful, truly one of a kind.’
Envy gnawed at Lacey as she uttered these words.
Why did it seem that all the women related to Landon were dazzlingly beautiful? In comparison, she felt remarkably ordinary.
Pleased with Lacey’s reaction, Sarah took the photo album back, smiling a knowing little smile.
Those photos had been taken during Sarah’s college years with Landon, snapshots full of youthful ambition and bold certainty.
Back then, Sarah was sure that Landon had a special affection for her.
Now, she realised that those thoughts had been wishful thinking.
What was happening was that the desire to relive those carefree days lingered inside her.