Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila’s evident annoyance brought a smug smile to Lacey’s face. She said, her voice dripping with malice, “I know Landon agreed to this whole charade. But I also know he doesn’t have any real feelings for you. He’s only doing this for the kids. Don’t you think that’s a pretty shaky foundation for a relationship, Leila?”
Lacey leaned in close, her voice a venomous whisper against Leila’s ear. She braced herself for a slap, a retort, anything. But Leila remained unruffled, her composure unshaken by Lacey’s taunts.
“Don’t waste your energy on me, Lacey,” Leila sighed, a hint of amusement in her voice.
“If you want Landon’s love, focusing on me is a complete waste of time.”
Lacey’s face flushed, her carefully constructed facade momentarily crumbling.
“What are you talking about?” she retorted defensively.
“I’ve already won Landon over. Why else would I be so comfortable with him? Just because your relationship with him failed doesn’t mean everyone else will share the same fate.”
Leila’s eyes drifted upwards, landing on a bright red mark on Lacey’s neck. It was a rather conspicuous mark, the kind often left by a passionate encounter.
A soft laugh escaped Leila’s lips. She reached out and gently traced the mark with her fingertip.
Lacey flinched, her eyes widening in surprise. She instinctively covered her neck, her eyes darting between Leila and the door, a mixture of fear and defiance in her expression.
“What are you doing?” she demanded, her voice trembling slightly.
“Are you going to hurt me?”
Leila shook her head, a playful smile on her lips.
“I don’t need to do anything to you, Lacey. I admit I still love Landon. But I’m not like you. Love isn’t everything to me. If I love a man and he doesn’t love me back, I’m not going to let it define me or make me settle for less than I deserve.”
Lacey knew the barb was aimed squarely at her.
“Stop lying!” she spat back, her voice laced with bitterness.
“You must regret losing Landon. Enough with your excuses!”
Leila said, her voice light and airy, “Don’t bother with such antics. Firstly, I won’t be fooled by tricks like that. And secondly, if Landon truly loved you, he wouldn’t have dined with me.”
Leila knew Landon better than that. He wasn’t the type to be unfaithful and would have avoided a lunch with her if he had indeed fallen for Lacey.
Once again, Lacey found herself outmaneuvered by Leila’s quiet confidence. She’d hoped to see Leila crumble. But in the end, it was she who felt exposed and vulnerable.
Lacey’s jaw clenched, her teeth grinding together in frustration. Refusing to concede defeat, she raised her hand, fueled by a surge of anger. However, at the last moment, her hand faltered, her resolve crumbling. She couldn’t bring herself to strike Leila. It wasn’t fear of Leila that held her back, but fear of Landon’s reaction. The thought of incurring his wrath and further alienating him filled her with trepidation.
Lacey bitterly admitted Leila was correct. Her world indeed revolved solely around her love life and her infatuation with Landon. But that was okay. She could eventually win Landon over. After all, Leila and Landon were currently estranged, presenting her with ample opportunity to stake her claim.
Emboldened by this thought, Lacey lifted her chin, a flicker of defiance in her eyes.
“Leila, don’t think for a moment that you can crush my spirit. I won’t let you get to me. Time will be the ultimate judge. I’ll eventually supplant you in Landon’s heart because I’m confident that I’m superior to you in every way.”
Leila observed Lacey’s haughty departure with a soft sigh, choosing not to engage further. It was inconsequential. Her conflict with Landon had never centered around Lacey. Therefore, she had never truly viewed Lacey as a threat. The previous slap had been a consequence of Lacey’s egregious overstepping of boundaries. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t waste her energy on such a trivial individual.
Unbeknownst to Leila and Lacey, their heated exchange had been witnessed by three pairs of curious eyes from below. Sophie’s face contorted in disgust.
“That woman is so manipulative, but she’s clearly no match for our mother.”
“Someone like her could never hold a candle to our mom,” Calvin chimed in, his voice laced with disdain.
Elma, ever the astute observer, offered a more balanced perspective.
“This is ultimately our dad’s fault,” she declared.
“If not for his actions, someone like her wouldn’t even have the opportunity to cross paths with our mother.” Her siblings nodded in silent agreement.
A wave of sadness washed over Elma.
“Why is our dad behaving this way?” she wondered aloud, her voice tinged with sorrow.
“Doesn’t he care about our mom anymore?”
Calvin scowled, his voice tinged with resolve.
“I just don’t think we should push this. Plus, I genuinely dislike Landon. He’s just not fit to be my father.”
Sophie’s expression fell with sadness.
“But I remember seeing moments when our mom and dad were truly happy together. That’s why I get where Elma’s coming from. It’s hard not to feel heartbroken over their situation.”
Elma sighed heavily and admitted, “I’ve tried everything within my power, but now it’s beyond my control.”
Calvin held his ground, his tone unwavering.
“Then maybe it’s time to stop. Our mom deserves someone who really values her.”
Sophie offered a rueful smile.
“Calvin, over the years, plenty of men have shown interest in our mom, some far more remarkable than others. But she hasn’t wanted anyone, and she’s not happy either. The three of us only want her to find happiness, right? While our dad’s recent actions are questionable, remember that he was genuinely excited about having you and Elma. He can be a good father. I just don’t understand why he’s changed so much.”
Calvin took her words in, yet his spirits remained low. He bowed his head, lost in thought, as the dinner came to an uneasy close.
Later, as Elma settled in Landon’s car to ride back to the Kensington family home, she kept leaning out the window to wave at Leila and the others. Landon, concerned for her well-being, swiftly pulled her back, chastising her.
“You need to stop taking risks like that. It’s too easy to get sick.”
Elma pouted, her eyes brimming with tears as she lamented, “But I just miss my mom, my brother, and my sister. If a day passes without seeing them, I’ll dissolve into tears. Dad, why can’t we dine with them nightly? Without them, my heart feels so hollow that even my medicine tastes bitter.”
Landon’s expression darkened, his forehead creasing as he mulled over her heartfelt plea, yet he offered no immediate dismissal.
Nearby, Lacey’s patience finally snapped, and she could no longer stay still. Leaning forward with earnest, she spoke softly, trying to bridge the emotional gap.
“Elma, it’s entirely understandable to feel this turmoil. The medication I’ve given you could make you emotional. But I can adjust the dosage. Just remember, this shadow over your mood springs from the medication, not just your yearning for family.”
Elma turned sharply toward Lacey, her gaze icy and her voice laced with annoyance.
“My mood sours because you’re in my sight. Once you leave, everything will feel lighter. You’re truly wearing on my last nerve.”
Lacey immediately put on a pitiful face, her reply laden with mock regret.
“Elma, you’re right. I apologize for my overbearing presence.”
Landon, witnessing this tense exchange, gave Elma a look of exasperated concern, his tone laced with gentle reproach.
“Elma, where has your graciousness gone? Lacey is more than just your doctor. She’s here to aid you. A little politeness wouldn’t hurt.”
Elma snorted dismissively, her eyes flashing defiantly.
“Is she truly worthy of my politeness?”
Upon hearing this, Landon felt a surge of irritation. It wasn’t merely that Elma had been impolite to Lacey; rather, it was Elma’s longstanding temper that troubled him. Despite her time spent with Leila, Elma seemed unchanged. Had Leila made no effort to temper Elma’s fiery disposition? What if Elma’s temper caused trouble when he and Leila weren’t there to intervene? What if it led to danger?
“Elma!” Landon’s voice, usually suffused with warmth, now cut through the air with unexpected severity.
“It’s one thing to dislike someone, but it’s entirely another to forsake manners. You owe Lacey an apology.”
Stubbornly, Elma set her jaw and shot back, her voice tinged with defiance.
“No! I’d apologize to anyone else under the sun, but I will not apologize to her.”