Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Lacey’s instinct was to retreat, but she found herself quickly encircled by bodyguards. Her complexion drained of color as she attempted to send a warning to Cody.
“Landon is close by. If you lay a hand on me, he won’t stand by idly.”
Cody’s laughter rang out, tinged with disbelief.
“Please, Payne, don’t take me for a fool. I’ve been waiting here for quite some time. Correct me if I’m wrong, but weren’t you just ousted from Landon’s car? You had promised to collaborate with me, yet you’ve ignored all my messages. I assumed you had won Landon over, but I didn’t expect to see you in such a pitiful state. It seems your strategies aren’t as effective as you thought.”
Lacey’s pride flared at his words, her anger casting shadows across her features.
“Enough with your baseless assumptions. Things aren’t as you perceive. I wasn’t thrown out. This is because of Elma…”
Cody cut off Lacey mid-sentence, his impatience palpable.
“Look, you’re just meandering through the streets, resembling a lost soul,” he declared, his tone both stern and compelling.
“Here’s the deal: two options. Either tag along with me right now or navigate your way back across the city alone. If you choose the latter, you risk wandering through the cold, endless night, potentially succumbing to sheer exhaustion and despair.” He paused for a moment, his voice dropping to a persuasive whisper.
“And once you decide to walk your way back, I promise I’ll leave you alone. I won’t do anything to you. But remember, the night doesn’t always bring out the best in people. Should you encounter a drunk or a troublemaker, I doubt anyone will come to your aid.”
Lacey’s complexion turned ghostly pale. After a brief pause, she hesitantly reached for the car door and pulled it open. The moment she stepped inside, a wave of warmth washed over her, yet her expression remained drained of color.
Lacey regretted her decision to enter the car the moment she settled down. Memories flooded back to her, times when she and Jeanette had lived in the rustic simplicity of the countryside. It was there she once lost her way while gathering herbs in the hills, spending an entire night isolated on the mountain, surrounded by the eerie howls of wild creatures.
Fear had not touched her then. Now, she couldn’t fathom why the prospect of facing embarrassment or disgrace terrified her so. Her sense of pride had intensified over time. She found herself increasingly concerned with her public image. These concerns had morphed into shackles, restricting her every move.
Lacey was aware that Cody was only trying to intimidate her with his words. She understood walking back was not a significant challenge. If the situation deteriorated, the police station was always an option for assistance.
Yet, she knew deep down that, even if the situation repeated itself, her decision would remain unchanged. There was no going back now.
Cody burst into laughter as Lacey nervously bit her lip. He reached over, tapping her leg in a teasing manner.
As if jolted by a sudden shock, Lacey’s body tensed. She quickly tried to put distance between them. However, her reaction came too late. The car doors had already been locked, sealing her fate inside.
The next morning, Lacey returned to the Kensington family home, her face drawn with exhaustion.
As soon as Lacey entered, the sight of Elma and Landon casually enjoying breakfast greeted her, their laughter filling the air as though last night’s events had never happened.
The stark contrast to her turmoil left Lacey feeling both angry and powerless. The family bonds between Landon and Elma were enduring and unbreakable. What conflict could ever truly keep them apart?
When Elma spotted Lacey, she let out a tiny huff and turned her face away in defiance.
Landon, however, set his coffee down and addressed Elma, his tone firm.
“So, is it true that you kicked Lacey out of the car yesterday?”
Elma crossed her arms, her tone defensive.
“I didn’t kick her out. I just didn’t want her around, but she insisted on coming along anyway.”
Landon’s expression intensified.
“We talked about this earlier. You owe Lacey an apology right now.”
After overhearing Landon’s stern reprimand, Lacey felt a small surge of satisfaction, and the sting of the previous night’s humiliation softened slightly. Still, a hint of panic lingered within her. She couldn’t shake the worry that Landon might be upset with her for what she had done.
Elma hesitated but finally slid off her chair, walking to Lacey with a begrudging expression.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. It won’t happen again.”
Deep down, Elma couldn’t shake her unease. She had wanted Lacey to suffer, but she hadn’t anticipated that Lacey would be without her phone.
Elma only found out about this in the morning. Had she known earlier, no matter how much Landon pressured her, she wouldn’t have bothered to apologize to Lacey. But now, she could call it even. After all, it was Lacey who had disrupted their family dinner. If Lacey hadn’t shown up, none of this would have happened.
Elma’s eyes betrayed a hint of reluctance, which Lacey noticed all too clearly.
Lacey inwardly scoffed, her mind already cooking up a plot.
“I accept your apology,” Lacey said lightly, but her gaze turned cold.
“But next time, be more careful.”
Though her words seemed casual, her eyes were icy, locking onto Elma with the coldness of someone eyeing a lifeless body. With Lacey facing away from Landon, he failed to notice the coldness in her expression.
As Lacey left the room, her chin high with an air of victory, Elma suddenly felt a chill creep down her spine. She promptly darted to Landon’s side and whispered, “Dad, perhaps you should find me a different doctor, please? I just can’t get along with Lacey. I don’t like her. You can’t force me to, can you?”
Landon sighed, his hand resting gently on her shoulder.
“Elma, you know how much progress you’ve made with her medical help. That’s a good sign. Don’t you want to get better and resume school soon? Once you recover, you can return to your mom. I promise I won’t stop you.”
Elma was torn, her feelings in turmoil. Of course, she wanted to recover.
Sensing her reluctance, Landon reassured her.
“You’re safe with me. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Elma glanced up at Landon’s sincere face and gave a reluctant nod. Perhaps her worries had been unfounded. Though Lacey disliked her, Lacey’s desire to become Landon’s wife meant nothing would happen to her, at least not within this month. Otherwise, Landon would undoubtedly send Lacey away. With this thought, Elma felt a weight lift off her shoulders, her fear easing.
Once back in her room, Lacey collapsed onto her bed, completely drained. Her eyes were clouded with coldness and a seething, overwhelming hatred. Every time her eyes closed, memories of the previous night’s humiliation played on a loop in her mind, each recollection cutting deeper into her pride.
Lacey longed to lash out, but the fear of drawing attention held her back. She pulled a small vial from her bag, Cody’s words echoing in her mind. This poison was perfectly suited for harming a defective child like Elma. At first, it would show no signs, but in a month, anyone who had succumbed to this poison would slowly weaken, fading away until death, leaving no trace behind.
A month was all Lacey needed. After all, Elma would return to Leila’s side, be it her illness cured or not. By then, the poison in Elma’s system would have run its course. If Elma died at Leila’s place, it would allow Lacey to distance herself from the situation. Lacey hadn’t meant to be so ruthless, but Elma was too irritating. Besides, Cody was right. No matter how things unfolded, Leila and Landon couldn’t truly be torn apart with the kids in the picture. The children were the thread that kept them tied together. Only when the child was gone, and if one of them was the cause, would the blame unravel everything between them.
Cody had pointed out that if Landon believed Leila was responsible for Elma’s death, there would be no chance for them to get back together. Only when Landon had completely let go of Leila would he begin to shift his focus to those around him, granting Lacey a chance.
When Lacey decided to harm Elma, a flicker of hesitation lingered within her. Yet, her resolve soon solidified. She had sacrificed too much already, and pulling back now would render all her efforts meaningless. There was no turning back now. She could only press forward.
With this realization, Lacey headed downstairs, finding the servant busy preparing Elma’s medicine.
“I’ll take care of it. You go fetch some fresh herbs,” Lacey instructed coldly.
No one suspected a thing, and soon, they all left.
Seizing the opportunity, Lacey carefully poured the poison into Elma’s medicine.
Elsewhere, ever since Elma resided with Landon, Leila couldn’t shake the lingering discomfort. Though Elma was once resistant to her, over the years, Elma had become unexpectedly clingy.
Sophie had matured, developed her own thoughts, and become more reserved. Calvin, being a boy, didn’t quite understand how to be clingy. With Elma’s presence, the atmosphere felt more lively.
Leila made it a point to have video calls with Elma every night, with Sophie and Calvin joining in.
Leila had to admit Elma looked rosier under Lacey’s treatment. Lacey’s character might raise doubts, but her medical skills were undeniably impressive.
If it weren’t for Lacey’s questionable motives, Leila would have felt completely at ease leaving Elma in her care.
Right now, Leila, miles away, was on a video call with Elma.
Elma’s face lit up as she recounted her day with Landon, her voice animated.
Leila’s voice was tinged with helplessness as she replied, “Elma, you don’t need to tell me your dad’s business. Those are his secrets. It’s not for you to share with me.”
Elma furrowed her brow, puzzled.
“But my dad knows I tell you about all these things! He doesn’t mind at all. Maybe he even wants me to tell you.”