Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“We’ll take it one step at a time.
I believe you can get better.”
At that moment, Sophie ran up to her, her small face serious and determined.
“Mom,” she whispered urgently.
“I found something out.
A boy in Elma’s class said he saw Elma being taken away by a woman.”
“A woman?” Leila echoed, her brows knitting in confusion.
It didn’t make sense.
She couldn’t recall any woman she might have angered or wronged.
But then, a troubling thought surfaced, suspicion creeping in.
Could it be Lacey? If it was, then Elma might be with Landon.
The realization made Leila’s heart race, her calm facade cracking.
Leila turned her head, her voice steady yet filled with deep emotion as she addressed Sophie, “Sophie, you’re the eldest now. Can you help me take care of your younger brother and Brysen?”
Sophie nodded firmly, though tears pooled in her eyes, betraying her inner turmoil.
“Mom, I’ll do my best. It’s my fault Elma was taken. Maybe she wouldn’t have been kidnapped if I’d gone to her earlier that day.”
Sophie’s voice faltered, her tears spilling over as her unease overwhelmed her.
Leila’s heart clenched as she pulled Sophie into a comforting embrace.
“Sophie, don’t blame yourself. You’ve already done so much. If anyone’s at fault, it’s me-for not protecting you all better. I’ll be upset if you keep punishing yourself over this.”
Even through her sobs, Sophie reached up to wipe away the tears escaping Leila’s eyes.
“Mom, don’t cry. I won’t say things like that again. Just… please don’t be sad anymore.”
At fifteen, Sophie was nearly as tall as her mother, her smile still angelic despite the weight she carried.
Leila held Sophie tightly, cherishing the moment. Time had passed too quickly, and though she longed to keep her children close forever, she knew that desire was selfish. In this world, there were only a few people she could truly trust.
After giving Sophie her instructions, Leila prepared to leave. Landon’s current residence wasn’t hard to find.
Standing before the gates of the Kensington estate, a place both achingly familiar and distant, it hit Leila like a wave. She felt unsteady, as though the memories tethered to this place were pulling her under. How long had it been since she was last here? Since Landon’s accident, her heart had been shattered.
Though Leila had hired people to maintain the Kensington family estate each year, with the servants staying on, nostalgia lingered, and she couldn’t bring herself to confront the past, fearing she might never move on.
Leila had once believed she would never set foot in this place again. Yet here she was, driven not by nostalgia, but by necessity. The security guards recognized Leila immediately and welcomed her without hesitation. To them, Leila was not just a visitor but also their hostess.
Inside, the servants greeted Leila warmly. As she sat in the familiar living room, a servant quickly brought her a cup of coffee. A few of them had reddened eyes, their
Hesitation thickened the air as the servants struggled to find the right words for Leila. They hoped for reconciliation between Leila and Landon, that Leila might return and restore the family they admired. Leila could feel their silent prayers, but all she could offer in return was a faint smile, unsure how to explain.
The sound of approaching footsteps broke Leila’s reverie.
Lacey descended the grand spiral staircase, her heels clicking sharply against the polished wood. When her gaze fell on Leila, sitting there with the poise of someone who belonged, a flicker of displeasure crossed her face. But she quickly masked it with a practiced smile.
“Leila, what a surprise! I wasn’t expecting you. I hope you’ll forgive me if the hospitality isn’t up to your standards.”
Leila met Lacey’s gaze coolly, her fingers wrapping around the coffee cup as she took a deliberate sip.
“Lacey, I’m here to see Landon. If you’re planning to put on a show, you might want to reconsider.”
Thinking of Elma in their hands, Leila had no patience for pleasantries with Lacey. She spoke plainly, cutting straight to the point.
“This house is where Landon and I lived together. Half of it belongs to me, regardless of who claims to be the hostess. Without my consent, that title means nothing.”
Leila’s words cut through the air, shattering Lacey’s calm facade with a sharpness that left her rattled.
Lacey’s smile stiffened as her hands clenched at her sides.
“Landon will decide who belongs here as the hostess, even though you own half of the house. And if I ask, he’ll ensure that title is mine entirely.”
Leila’s lips curled into a smirk, her gaze unwavering.
“Is that so? Then let’s call Landon and settle this now.”
Lacey hesitated, her confidence faltering. Her earlier words had been a desperate attempt to deceive Leila. Calling Landon to discuss something like this would only provoke him, making the situation even more uncomfortable.
Realizing this, Lacey quickly came up with an excuse.
“What a joke, bothering Landon with something so trivial? He’s busy, Leila. Besides, he doesn’t want to see you. That’s why I’m here to pass along his message. Whatever you need to say, you can tell me.”
Leila stood abruptly, her presence commanding.
“Move aside. I’m seeing Landon today. If he refuses to come out, I’ll ensure he does, though my methods might be unconventional.”
Lacey’s composure cracked further, anger flaring in her eyes.
“Leila, I’ve already told you he doesn’t want to see you. What’s your real purpose in pushing this?”
“Maybe others can’t see it, but I can. You want everything, and now that Landon doesn’t feel the same, you’re desperate to hold on to him. You’re just…”
The sharp sound of a slap cut Lacey off.
Lacey staggered back, her hand flying to her cheek as she stared at Leila in shock.
Leila’s voice was like ice, her words slicing with precision.
“I never thought you’d turn out like this. Three years ago, you seemed so ambitious in front of me. But now, I see it wasn’t for a career, but for a man. I have no respect for people like you. I may have been harsh, but I hope you can take it.”
Lacey’s face contorted with rage, her voice rising in a sharp, trembling pitch.
“You don’t understand! You were born with everything handed to you. I’m striving for a better life. What’s wrong with that? Being with Landon is a career. It’s access to power and opportunity. How is that any different from having a career?”
Her patience running thin, Leila said coldly, “Move aside.” Lacey remained firm, blocking Leila’s way.
“I told you, he doesn’t want to see you. Plus, the person you’re looking for isn’t here.”
Leila’s gaze held a depth of meaning as she looked at Lacey, a faint, mocking smile on her lips.
“Interesting. How do you know I’m here to find someone? I only said I wanted to see Landon, not that I was searching for anyone.”
Lacey felt a twinge of unease but quickly shot back, “Your search for Elma isn’t exactly a secret. It’s common knowledge in Burmoos.”
At these words, Leila’s smile turned even colder, her eyes narrowing slightly.
“Yes, everyone knows I’m searching for someone, but they have no idea it’s Elma I’m after. Elma is my daughter. If I were to reveal her disappearance, my enemies, always looking for ways to strike at me, would seize the opportunity to hurt her. Lacey, are you still refusing to admit that you took Elma?”
Only then did Lacey realize she had walked right into Leila’s trap, her face draining of color.
“I… What are you talking about? I don’t understand,” she stammered.