Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Landon tore his gaze away from the children and Leila, fixing the butler with an icy glare.
“Remember, you’re the Kensington family butler. Your loyalty lies with me. I won’t tolerate anyone siding with outsiders.”
The butler met Landon’s gaze without flinching.
“Mr. Kensington, my loyalty has always been with the Kensington family. I’ve watched you grow up, and I care about your happiness. You may not say it aloud, but it’s clear to everyone that you’re hurting. You and Miss Nixon have drifted apart, and you’re no longer the same man you used to be. You’re living in a constant state of pain and numbness. Why are you torturing yourself like this? Besides, your children are part of this family too. I can’t ignore their wishes.”
A wave of helplessness washed over Landon. He had kept his issues with Leila private, with Lacey being the only one having some knowledge of their discord, a move that had shielded Leila from any potential gossip or judgment. He just couldn’t bring himself to tarnish Leila’s image, willingly enduring the consequences of her actions. Yet, those around him, unaware of the complexities of his relationship with Leila, couldn’t fully grasp his predicament. Nevertheless, their concern for his wellbeing was genuine.
Landon waved his hand, his gaze hardening.
“Fine. But let me be clear. If this happens again, there will be severe consequences. Do I make myself understood?”
The butler dipped his head respectfully, acknowledging Landon’s authority.
Landon approached the group, his expression a mixture of concern and frustration. He gently patted Elma’s back as she wept uncontrollably, his brow furrowed with worry.
“Elma, sweetheart, you know crying isn’t good for you, especially when you’re not feeling well. Try to calm down.”
Elma rarely allowed herself to appear vulnerable in front of Landon. Overwhelmed by emotion, she turned and clung to Landon’s leg, seeking comfort in his presence.
Elma’s sobs intensified, her small body shaking with grief. Leila stood frozen, completely at a loss for how to comfort the distraught child.
Fueled by the alcohol coursing through his veins, a wave of anger washed over Landon. He glared at Leila, her apparent indifference fueling his rage.
“Cut the crap, Leila!” he spat, his voice laced with disgust.
“Are you done with this charade?”
Startled by his harsh tone, Leila looked up, her brow furrowed in confusion. The man before her was undeniably handsome, but his face was contorted with rage. He was clearly livid. What had she done to provoke such fury?
Despite not recognizing Landon, his anger triggered a wave of inexplicable sadness within Leila. She felt deeply wronged, a sense of injustice burning in her chest.
“I…” she stammered, struggling to find the right words.
Landon, unable to contain his frustration any longer, grabbed Leila’s hand and pulled her out of the room.
“Stop pretending!” he growled, his grip tightening on her arm.
“You don’t have to put on an act for me or our kids. I’ve told you before, if you don’t want these children, I’ll raise them myself. I don’t need you.” His anger escalated with every word, his pace quickening as he dragged Leila down the hallway.
“All you care about is Clayton, but I won’t let him get away with hurting my daughter. Do you hear me? I don’t give a damn if we end up on opposite sides because of this!” Landon hissed.
Having vented his fury, Landon looked at Leila, expecting to see a flicker of anger or annoyance in her eyes. Instead, he was met with a look of profound sadness. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Her chin quivered as she fought back sobs, her eyes red and swollen.
Landon hadn’t realized that Elma had followed them, her small voice calling out for Leila, her cries echoing down the hallway. A pang of unease shot through Landon, but he pushed it aside and released his grip on Leila’s wrist before shoving her away.
“Just go,” he said coldly.
“I don’t want to see you.”
Leila rubbed the sore spot, trying to quell the inexplicable hurt that welled up inside her. Why did she feel like bursting into tears? Why did his words sting so much? It must be because of his harshness. His cruel words echoed in her mind, intensifying her sadness.
But Leila reminded herself of the “facts” she remembered. She didn’t have children. She was married to Clayton. But who was Clayton? What did he even look like? She couldn’t conjure up his image, and the name “Clayton” evoked no feelings of love or affection within her.
Leila left the Kensington family residence, a sense of utter bewilderment washing over her as she stepped out into the street. Where did she belong? Where was her home? A voice inside her urged her to find Clayton, but she had no idea where to even begin.
Lost and alone, Leila wandered aimlessly.
Elma, determined to catch up, stumbled and fell, her small legs unable to keep pace with her urgency.
The sound of Elma’s fall caught Leila’s attention, and she turned to observe the commotion.
Noticing Landon kneeling beside the fallen Elma, Leila’s brow furrowed slightly, but she made no move to assist. Landon appeared to be Elma’s father. It was none of her concern. She had no children of her own and only a husband named Clayton. With that dismissive thought, Leila turned and continued on her way without a second glance.
Landon watched Leila’s departing figure, his eyes clouded with confusion. Leila’s behavior was perplexing, to say the least. Even if she were feigning amnesia, her performance was remarkably convincing.
Landon turned to address the bodyguard stationed at the entrance.
“Discreetly assign someone to follow her, but do not interfere with her actions.”
With that, Landon scooped up Elma and carried her back inside, despite her protests. He deposited Elma into the care of Sophie and Calvin and then turned to depart.
Sophie, however, stepped forward, blocking his path.
“Do you still doubt my mom’s amnesia?” Sophie questioned, her voice laced with hurt.
“My mom genuinely lost her memory. She’s been an exceptional mother to us all these years. No mother would willingly abandon her children. The only plausible explanation is that she has no recollection of us. You might think forgetting the past would be a blessing for her, but she needs us now more than ever. Please, don’t be so cold-hearted.”
Landon’s gaze met Sophie’s, his expression a mixture of disbelief, confusion, and a flicker of doubt.
“I’ve spent years with my mom,” Calvin interjected, his voice firm and unwavering.
“I can assure you, she’s not faking it. Sophie and I suspected she might have been hypnotized.”
“Do you have any proof to support your claim?” Landon questioned, his voice sharp and skeptical.
The two children fell silent, unable to provide any concrete evidence to support their assertion. If they had any real evidence, they wouldn’t have staged this whole drama for Landon’s benefit.
Landon was speechless. He wanted to tell the kids the truth about what had happened all those years ago. But he was afraid they couldn’t handle it. Should he tell them that he didn’t trust Leila because she had almost killed him? Should he tell them that their mother, the woman they loved and trusted, was capable of such evil? It was too cruel. He couldn’t bring himself to do so. He would rather carry the burden alone.
Landon patted Calvin’s shoulder.
“I’ve made up my mind. I don’t believe she has amnesia, but I won’t ignore her either. I know what you’re thinking. Just don’t waste your time on me anymore. It’s pointless. Leila and I will never get back together.” With that, Landon turned and walked away, his figure disappearing into the darkness.
Sophie looked at Calvin apologetically.
“I’m sorry. I was wrong again. He still doesn’t believe our mom.”
“It’s okay, Sophie,” Calvin reassured her.
“You’ve done everything you could. No one can figure out what’s going on in their heads. Do you think our mom will be okay?”
Sophie nodded.
“No worries. He’ll have someone keeping an eye on our mom. Besides, doesn’t our mom’s phone have a tracker? We can use that to track her down if we need to.” Calvin nodded in agreement.
Elma sniffled and hugged Sophie tightly.
“Sophie, our mom doesn’t want me anymore!”
Sophie patted Elma’s head gently.
“Our mom would never abandon you,” she soothed.
“She just can’t remember us right now.”
Elma’s tears flowed freely, but she eventually managed to calm down.
“Will our mom remember us one day?” she asked, her voice small and filled with worry.
Sophie wanted to be honest and say she didn’t know, but seeing Elma’s tear-filled eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to say so.
“She will. She’ll definitely remember us one day.”