Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
The silence stretched on, thick and suffocating, until it began to unsettle Elma. Frustrated, she tugged at the sleeves of both Landon and Leila, trying to break the stillness. Why weren’t they talking? Were they embarrassed? Strange! What was there to be embarrassed about?
Elma couldn’t understand. She almost felt the urge to speak for them, to break the tension herself. Her old deskmate from school had parents who had divorced, but they had reconciled after being seen on a date together.
Elma had always believed that a small, seemingly innocent gesture-a hint of closeness between Landon and Leila, seen by others-could bring them back together. That was why she had carefully set the stage for the events of last night. But now, as she watched the uncomfortable silence between Landon and Leila, a realization hit her like a cold wave. They didn’t want to reconcile.
The thought twisted Elma’s heart, and the pressure of it caused a violent cough to rack her small frame. Her eyes, wide and desperate, sought their attention. She gasped out, her voice trembling with the cough, “Dad… Mom… Please, say something…”
The sight of Elma’s distress attracted Landon’s and Leila’s attention instantly, their faces shifting with concern.
Landon’s expression darkened as he stepped forward, scooping Elma into his arms without a second thought..
“I didn’t share a bed with her last night,” Landon said, his words spilling out in a rush.
“There was a big sofa in your room, so I slept there.”
Elma’s eyes went wide, her lips quivering as if she were about to break down in tears.
Landon’s voice became a low warning.
“If you start crying, I’m going to the office, and I won’t be back for a while.”
The threat hit its mark. Though frustration tightened Elma’s features, she swallowed the tears that threatened to spill. If Landon went to the office, she knew it would be even harder to bring him and Leila together.
As Landon carried Elma away, Sophie stood frozen, watching them disappear. Her mind swirled with confusion. This was like her father.
If he truly wanted nothing to do with Leila, he would have left last night, right? So why deny it now? Perhaps they had an argument?
Sophie glanced over at Leila, noticing the quiet disappointment in her eyes.
Without a word, Sophie walked over and gently took Leila’s hand in hers, her silence louder than the questions she bottled up inside her.
Sophie’s hand gently grasped Leila’s, conveying her silent comfort.
Sophie longed for Leila and Landon to reconcile, yet her deepest wish was for Leila’s happiness to take precedence. If Landon was the unreliable figure people whispered about, Sophie believed they could manage without him as a father.
Sophie’s eyes flickered with a shadow of emotion-anger, maybe even sadness-but Leila, standing inches away, remained oblivious.
Lacey wasn’t part of the drama. She strutted forward as Landon disappeared into the distance, his entourage trailing behind. Her smirk was as sharp as her words.
“Well, it’s no surprise Mr. Kensington has no patience for childish antics. Frankly, it’s quite expected,” she sneered.
Leila stiffened, her expression darkening, but before she could respond, Sophie stepped in, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
“This is a family matter. Lacey, stay out of it.”
Lacey tilted her head mockingly, her lips curling in a derisive smile.
“A family matter? Oh, Sophie, how naive. Has Mr. Kensington ever acknowledged being part of your family? The divorce was finalized, wasn’t it? That makes you two-what’s the phrase?-separate families now.”
Lacey’s eyes sparkled with malice as she delivered the final blow.
“And let’s face it, Sophie. Your father will have a new family soon enough-one that doesn’t include you.”
The venom in Lacey’s tone was enough to make Sophie’s blood boil.
In a momentary lapse of composure, Sophie shoved Lacey, her anger boiling over.
But Lacey, ever calculating, stumbled dramatically into the shattered remnants of the medicine bowl. She didn’t fall by accident-her intentions were clear.
Lacey pressed her hand against the jagged shards, drawing blood, and soon a deep gash marred her arm.
Leila and Sophie froze in stunned silence as crimson dripped onto the floor.
Lacey’s cry broke through their shock, her voice trembling with feigned pain.
“It hurts! Oh no… I can’t move my hands anymore!” Lacey clutched her arm theatrically, tears streaking her cheeks.
“How am I supposed to treat Elma now? I can’t even hold a needle!”
Lacey fixed Sophie with a venomous glare, her voice laced with malice.
“You planned this, didn’t you? You don’t want me to save Elma. You’re hoping she dies so you can be Mr. Kensington’ only daughter. How conniving for someone so young.”
Sophie felt as though the air had been knocked out of her lungs. The accusations hit like a tidal wave, leaving her defenseless. Her mind raced, replaying the moment-she hadn’t shoved that hard. How had Lacey fallen so badly? She hadn’t meant to hurt Lacey, but the consequences seemed catastrophic.
Lacey’s claim of not being able to treat Elma due to the hand injuries only deepened Sophie’s agitation and unease.
Sophie’s expression crumbled under the weight of her emotions-confusion, anger, self-reproach-all swirling chaotically.
Leila, watching Sophie closely, stepped in. With a steady hand, she patted Sophie’s head, offering a brief moment of comfort. Then, with quiet authority, she pulled Sophie behind her.
“Don’t worry,” she said gently, her voice calm but firm.
“I’ll take care of this.”
Leila stepped forward, her demeanor unshaken. Lacey, mistaking the movement for an offer of help, smirked and remained sprawled on the floor, refusing to rise. Her voice dripped with mock indignation as she declared, “If you want me to get up, it’s simple. Have Sophie apologize. She hurt me, so it’s only fair.”
Leila’s lips curled into a cold sneer.
“Apologize? You don’t deserve it. We’re all women here, Lacey. I see through your little game. Sophie barely used any force, and you fell on purpose.” Lacey’s composure faltered, yet she kept up her facade.
“You misunderstand me. Even if I complained to Landon, he wouldn’t pity me. There’s no reason for me to resort to such tactics.”
Leila met Lacey’s gaze unflinchingly, her voice steady and incisive.
“True, you’re not trying to win Landon’s sympathy. Your goal isn’t garnering pity-it’s sabotage. You wanted Sophie to be seen as reckless, someone Landon would disapprove of. But let me make something clear.” She crossed her arms, her tone growing sharper.
“Sophie is Mr. Kensington’ daughter. Blood ties run deeper than your schemes. Even if Landon scolds her, she’ll admit her mistake, and it’ll all blow over. But you? The one who tried to stir the pot? You’ll remain despised, no matter how hurt or wronged you claim to be.”
The smirk on Lacey’s face wavered, her eyes narrowing as Leila pressed on.
“You know I’m right. Landon won’t tolerate someone trying to manipulate his family, no matter how cunning you think you are. You wanted Sophie to suffer, to feel humiliated-but in the end, Landon will stand by her. So go ahead and test my words if you dare.”
Lacey’s glare shifted to Sophie, her expression dark with frustration. Leila’s calm dissection of her motives left no room for retort. She had indeed hoped to see Sophie suffer, but now it was clear that Landon’s loyalty to his daughter far outweighed any schemes Lacey had in mind.
Scolded and humiliated, Lacey’s anger was satisfied. But Leila’s words rang true-Landon’s loyalty to his daughter would trump any resentment, making Lacey’s plan futile. Once Landon’s temper cooled, he’d begin piecing things together. He wasn’t a fool, and Lacey’s schemes, while calculated, would only serve to raise his suspicions.
Lacey bitterly acknowledged that without allies to bolster her claims, her plan was crumbling. The Kensington household operated like a fortress-loyalty ran deep, and Landon’s authority was absolute. Even though she had managed to bribe a few servants, their influence would be minimal. No one would risk speaking against Landon’s daughter. Realizing her isolation, her expression darkened with frustration.
Leila observed Lacey with quiet satisfaction, knowing her words had struck a nerve.
Leila let out a relieved sigh and turned back to Sophie, taking her hand with a reassuring squeeze.
“Let’s go,” she said softly.
Sophie hesitated, her eyes full of worry.
“Mom, are you sure everything’s okay?”
“It’s fine,” Leila replied with a warm smile.
“Don’t worry, Sophie. Your father loves you more than you realize. A mistake like this won’t change that.”
Sophie pouted slightly, her lips pressing into a defiant line.