Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
As Lacey was lost in thought, the study door swung open with a soft click. Leo stepped out, motioning smoothly with his hand for Lacey to enter. Leo’s expression was loaded with unspoken words, sending a wave of nervousness through Lacey. Her stomach tightened uncomfortably. Trying to quell the rising anxiety, Lacey steadied her breathing and adopted an air of nonchalance. She crossed the threshold of the study with deliberate grace and addressed Landon with a respectful nod.
“Mr. Kensington, you summoned me quite urgently.”
“How may I assist you?”
Landon, who had been seated behind his desk, barely lifted his eyes to meet hers. His gaze was indifferent and piercing.
“Take a seat,” he commanded, gesturing toward the chair across from him.
Despite her outward calm, Lacey’s heart thudded against her chest. Her palms were slick with sweat. Landon’s silence was oppressive, stretching thin her veneer of composure.
Lacey settled into the chair, her voice wobbling slightly as she ventured, “Mr. Kensington, have I made some mistake?”
Landon shook his head, his voice reassuring. “No. Don’t be nervous. This isn’t about settling any scores. I just wanted to discuss something with you.”
A sigh of relief escaped Lacey’s lips, her shoulders dropping slightly with the tension. She reasoned that if Landon had truly uncovered her actions, he wouldn’t have had Leo escort her so calmly. His disdain for what she had done would have sparked a far different approach. He might have been livid, forcing her to come if necessary. Perhaps she was overthinking it.
Landon’s gaze met Lacey’s, his dark eyes swirling with unreadable emotions. “Lacey, I can’t thank you enough for the companionship you and your sister have given me all these years. The life-saving favor hasn’t escaped from my mind. If it weren’t for you, I might not be standing here, healthy and alive.”
Lacey was racked with uncertainty. What was he implying with these words? Could it be that he was ready to embrace her into his life? It seemed the only explanation.
“Why else would he express himself in such an unusual way?” It seemed that, finally, he had thought it through. Perhaps he realized it was time to move forward and find a companion who suited him, despite his lingering memories of Leila. Through the years, only she had stood out as the sole woman he truly trusted. No other had captured his regard.
Landon went on. “You’re still in your twenties. I think it’s time for you to consider your future.”
Lacey felt a surge of emotion, her eyes brimming with tears that she fought to hold back.
Before Landon could get another word out, Lacey cut him off, her voice filled with excitement. “Landon, I already know what you’re going to say! Just say it. Whatever it is, I agree!” Lacey’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as she gazed at him.
Landon blinked in surprise and then let out a soft chuckle. “Well, I didn’t expect you to be so eager. Alright, I’ll get straight to the point.”
Under her expectant gaze, Landon reached into his bag and pulled out a contract and a plane ticket. Curious, Lacey picked up the ticket to check its destination. It was a single plane ticket to Uskela.
She murmured, confused, “Why only one ticket? If this were about a trip, surely we would be traveling together.”
Landon cleared his throat, his tone steady. “There’s no need to worry. Everything’s already arranged. You’ve always dreamed of running your own hospital, haven’t you? Two years ago, I had one built in Uskela. They’re short of a director, and I think it’s the perfect opportunity for you to take over. Don’t stress about the experience because you’ll have an expert there to guide you. As for Jeanette, she’s studying in Ysland right now. She won’t need to return to Burmoos as she can meet you directly in Uskela. That’s why there’s only one ticket. If you’re concerned about Jeanette, I can arrange for someone to take you to Ysland to pick her up first.”
Lacey didn’t light up with excitement as Landon had expected. Instead, her face grew pale.
She whispered, her voice quivering, “You’re sending me away?”
Landon frowned, confused by her reaction. “Sending you away? That’s not it at all. I just don’t want to waste your potential. Now that I’ve returned to Burmoos, my power is being restored. Many people who’ve supported me over the past few years deserve a chance to live their own lives again. Besides, didn’t you say you agreed?”
“No, I didn’t! I didn’t even understand what you meant!” Her voice wavered, panic threading through her words as she persisted. “I don’t want to leave, Mr. Kensington. I really don’t! Staying by your side is my choice, not a burden. Don’t you understand? Following you has taught me so much and given me experiences I’d never have otherwise. Don’t you want me to keep growing?”
Landon’s expression intensified, his tone losing its warmth. “That’s exactly why I arranged for this, the hospital, and Jeanette’s studies. They’re all part of ensuring your future is secure and a better life. From now on, you and Jeanette can live well abroad, where you can stand on your own two feet. Isn’t that good enough?”
Tears welled in Lacey’s eyes, her voice tinged with resentment. “Then be honest with me, Mr. Kensington. Why couldn’t you build a hospital for me here, in Burmoos? Why send me abroad? Do you think I’m a nuisance? I’ve always been loyal to you, yet now you want to get rid of me.”
Seeing Lacey’s tears, irritation flashed in Landon’s eyes, feeling a hint of pity. He decided to clarify things. “Yes, I’ll admit my actions might seem cruel, but this is for your own good.”
“There’s no point in you continuing to work for me. You’re in your twenties, Lacey. This is your time to carve out a better life for yourself. Staying here and spending your whole life with me would only hold you back. And to be clear, I will never feel anything for you beyond work. Do you understand?”
He was rejecting her love. Although Landon had gently implied before that she shouldn’t have such thoughts, he had never outright said so. At that time, Lacey could still find some solace in denying the truth, convincing herself that Landon felt it wasn’t the right time for romance, given the shaky foundation between them.
But now, hearing Landon’s blunt words and seeing the impatience and disdain in his eyes, Lacey’s heart tightened with pain. Tears spilled from her eyes, falling uncontrollably. She wanted to argue that she didn’t love him and that such thoughts hadn’t crossed her mind. But deep down, Lacey knew she couldn’t fool Landon, not in her current state.
All she could do was take a deep breath, fighting to keep her composure and avoid an emotional breakdown in front of Landon.
“Mr. Kensington, I admit I’ve developed feelings for you in the past three years, but I swear, I’ll never act on them. I won’t force you to feel the same. All I want is to stay by your side. Even if you marry someone else and have children, I’ll wish you happiness. Loving someone doesn’t always mean being together. As long as I see you happy, that’s all that matters. All I want is to stay by your side.”
“Kensington, won’t you grant me this one last wish?”
Landon’s patience wore thin, his tone sharpening. “That’s not the point. I need people around me who are level-headed, not clouded by emotions. If I keep you close, and someone uses your feelings against me, it becomes a liability.”
Lacey opened her mouth to protest, but the memory of her secret dealings with Cody silenced her. Unease clawed at her throat, and the words refused to come out.
Landon exhaled heavily and waved dismissively. “This conversation is over. Just leave already. If you force my hand, the outcome won’t be as decent.”
Before Lacey could respond, Leo entered, flanked by two bodyguards. They moved to where Lacey was, ready to escort her out.
A wave of despair washed over Lacey. Landon’s heartlessness cut through her, leaving her numb. But she couldn’t bring herself to leave, unwilling to go despite everything. She had already waited three years, so what if she waited another three years?
Seeing Lacey refuse to leave, Leo gave a subtle glance to the bodyguards, signaling them to act. The bodyguards caught Leo’s drift and moved in, seizing Lacey’s wrists.
As Lacey struggled, she spun around, her eyes blazing with fury as she glared at Leo. “This is between Mr. Kensington and me! You have no right to interfere!”
Leo remained calm, his tone even. “Miss Payne, you’ve misunderstood me. I’m only following orders. Everything we do here has Mr. Kensington’ approval.”
“Kensington’ approval. If you doubt me, feel free to ask him yourself.”
Lacey’s gaze flicked to Landon, but she lacked the courage to ask him. She wasn’t afraid of Landon. She just couldn’t bear to hear another hurtful word from him again.
Landon stood with his back to her, the sunlight casting a cold shadow over his frame. He spoke icily. “Lacey, leave! I don’t need you here anymore.”
Lacey’s sobs echoed as she was dragged from the room. Leo followed close behind, murmuring, “The car to take you to the airport is waiting.”
Summoning all her strength, Lacey wrenched herself from the grasp of the bodyguards. She staggered into the room, confronting Landon with urgency in her voice.
“Are you aware your daughter’s health is declining fast? If this continues, she will die. I have the means to save her. But if you’d rather watch her suffer, then by all means, cast me out.”
The object Landon held clattered to the floor as he spun around, his stride full of intent. He reached Lacey and seized her by the throat. Although Landon usually managed to keep his temper in check, Lacey had provoked him deeply, striking at his most vulnerable point.
Through gritted teeth, Landon warned her, “Lacey, if you keep spreading these lies, I will expel you, and all the promises I made will vanish into thin air. My children are in perfect health. How dare you claim my daughter is on her deathbed?”
Lacey writhed in his ironclad grip, panic surging as the air thinned in her lungs. Fear trembled through her as she faced the chilling reality. Landon might actually be willing to end her life over this.
With each word weighed and deliberate, she asserted, “I’m not lying. Every word I’ve spoken is the truth. Your youngest, Elma, is suffering from health complications. She’s been subjected to excessive doses of medication that impede her growth. These drugs are devastating her body, leading to organ failure. Initially, she wouldn’t grow beyond her twenties. However, after my last examination, it’s clear the side effects have now compromised her heart. If any misfortune befalls her, I fear she won’t make it through the year.”
Landon’s instinct was to tighten his grip, his emotions roiling. But as he gazed into Lacey’s resolute eyes, a wave of exhaustion overcame him.
He loosened his hold, overcome with a deep, searing pain. How could this be happening? How was it possible that Elma, who had always been the picture of health, was now in such a critical condition?
Despite being overseas for several years, Landon had always monitored his children closely. Even though Leila, their mother, had once attempted his life, he knew of her genuine affection for the children. That was why, upon his return to the country, he never considered removing the children from her care. He believed that as long as they could grow up healthy and joyful under Leila’s watch, there was no need to intervene.
Yet, he hadn’t braced himself to confront such dire news today.
Lacey crumpled to the floor, heaving for breath as soon as she was freed. Between labored gasps, she managed to speak to Landon.
“Mr. Kensington, I understand this is difficult for you to come to terms with right now. I never intended any harm. Please, if you allow me to remain, I promise my only focus will be on treating Elma. She reminds me so much of my sister. It pains me to see her in jeopardy.”
Leo, who had been observing quietly, gave Lacey a discerning look. His expression hardened into a slight frown as he turned to Landon.
“Mr. Kensington, involving Miss Payne with Elma’s care might not be necessary. We could consider other, more qualified pediatric specialists,” he suggested cautiously.
Landon stood silent, mulling over Leo’s suggestion. Lacey’s anxiety spiked. She shot Leo a covert, frustrated glare. What was Leo’s problem? Why did he always have to mess up her plans?
Determined to salvage her position, Lacey addressed Landon again, urgency lining her voice. “Mr. Kensington, consider the discretion required here. You need someone close, someone you can trust. Besides, Elma’s condition responds well to the herbal treatments I excel in. Remember the banquet? I acted swiftly to stabilize her when she took ill. There were numerous witnesses to that fact. You can verify my claims with any of them.”
Landon felt a slight throbbing at his temples. He massaged them gently, his thoughts swirling as he spoke. “There really isn’t a better option at the moment. If you’re sincere, I’ll let you take care of Elma’s health. But…” Landon’s voice dropped to a chilling tone. “This responsibility is yours alone now. Should Elma suffer even slightly, you’re well aware of the consequences.”
A shiver of apprehension ran through Lacey. Clenching her teeth, she responded firmly, “Understood. I won’t disappoint you.”
Turning away, Landon exhaled a quiet sigh. “I certainly hope not. Leave now. I need to be alone.”