Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Color rising in her cheeks, Elma clenched her fists at her sides.
“Never bring my mom into this! Yes, I owe you for saving me, but kidnapping me? That’s a whole different arena.
It’s not just wrong.
It’s criminal.
Go ahead and kill me if you dare, or step aside so I can call the police on you.”
Lacey smirked at Elma’s fiery defiance, feeling a twinge of jealousy.
She knew all too well how Landon doted endlessly on his little princess, Elma, who was drenched in love and affection, particularly even more so in Leila’s care.
A hint of bitterness flickered across Lacey’s face.
Sometimes, life was nothing but a cruel, unbalanced game.
While some were showered with opportunities and love from the cradle, others, like herself, had to claw their way through life’s scraps, never tasting the sweetness of such adoration.
Lost in her bitter reflections, Lacey almost missed Elma’s dash for freedom.
Reacting swiftly, Lacey lunged forward, grabbing Elma’s wrist with an iron grip.
“And where do you think you’re going? I’ve already told you, this is your father’s place.
I’m merely the messenger, here to reunite you with him.”
Elma froze, her resolve wavering for a heartbeat, and then resumed her struggle, her voice trembling with conviction.
“No, I refuse to meet him! I don’t want to see the man who’s nothing more than a scoundrel, having wounded my mom deeply.
I’d rather vanish than face him!”
“Is that the story your mom fed you about me?”
From behind came a commanding voice, low and brimming with authority.
Elma suddenly ceased her struggles.
Lifting her gaze, she met Landon’s stern expression, a flicker of fear crossing her features.
Memories of her childhood bubbled to the surface.
In those days at the Morgan family estate, Landon had always been icy with Cara, yet he showed kindness to her, never once revealing a harsh demeanor.
Bound by blood, Landon had showered Elma with all his patience and affection.
Years had passed, however, blurring Elma’s memory of Landon’s face.
Throughout that time, she had deeply missed him, often envisioning his return.
Yet, after a three-year wait, the news about Landon’s eventual return had only dashed their hopes.
Leila remained silent, but the sorrow and disillusionment were apparent to her kids.
Thus, Sophie, the most astute and observant among them, took it upon herself to delve into the past events, with Calvin’s adept hacking skills aiding her quest for truth.
Confronted with Landon’s disloyalty toward their mother, Elma wrestled with conflicting feelings of love and resentment toward him.
Though fear gripped her, she refused to let it show, forcing her features into a mask of defiance.
Her voice, however, betrayed her with its unsteady quiver.
“I… I didn’t say anything wrong.”
Landon knelt down, bringing himself to Elma’s level.
His expression was serious as he asked, “Elma, who am I to you?”
Elma was scared, but she stood her ground.
“You’re nothing to me!” she declared.
“You’re a bad guy! Just you wait, I’ll find someone better to be my dad, someone who’ll take care of my mom.
We don’t need you!”
Lacey watched Elma’s outburst with a smug smile.
She had been worried that Landon and Elma would bond.
Now, that worry was gone.
This was perfect.
It would be best if Landon grew to dislike Elma and the other children and even severed ties with them.
Suppressing a triumphant laugh, Lacey said in a gentle voice, “Elma, you shouldn’t talk to your father like that.
I’m surprised your mother would teach you such bad manners.
Your dad really cares about you, you know.
You shouldn’t just listen to your mom.”
Lacey’s words only fueled Elma’s anger.
She turned to Lacey and shouted, “How dare you talk about my mom like that! Shut up!”
Landon frowned at Elma’s behavior.
“Elma, you need to be polite.”
Elma felt a surge of anger and sadness.
“Why should I be polite to you? You’re both mean to my mom!” she cried.
Landon fell silent, feeling both angry and hurt.
Maybe he should have taken Elma with him when he left Leila at that time.
Now, Elma had grown to dislike him just as much as Leila did.
What about his other two children? Would they feel the same way? He couldn’t bear to think about it.
Elma fought back tears, trying to look tough.
“Did you hear me?” she demanded.
“Take me back home right now! I don’t want to stay here!”
Landon remained silent.
His expression was still grim as he raised his hand.