Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
His eyes, still hazy with exhaustion and regret, didn’t waver.
“I know exactly what I’m doing.”
Gently, he threaded his fingers through hers. The subtle pressure said everything he didn’t put into words. He understood what this moment meant-or, at least, he knew that he wanted it, consequences be damned.
That quiet assurance set Leila’s heart off-kilter. If he truly knew, then what did this mean for them? Did he actually feel something… something real for her? She couldn’t deny that she cared for him, that he held an undeniable gravity in her life. But she was still stumbling through the darkness of forgotten memories, uncertain how Clayton-her supposed husband-fit into the puzzle. This uncertainty hovered between them, refusing to be ignored. It wouldn’t be fair to draw Landon deeper into her chaos while she remained trapped in amnesia’s shadow.
Summoning her courage, Leila tried to pull back, forcing herself to confront reality and not lose herself in the warmth of Landon’s arms.
“Mr. Kensington, you’ve been drinking. Do you even know who I am? I don’t want us to regret this.”
There was a fragility in her tone, a quiet plea for him to stop and reconsider.
But Landon didn’t waver. Her words, soft as they were, seemed distant, unable to penetrate the storm that had been building inside him for years. Whether emboldened by alcohol or driven by unguarded emotion, he refused to let go of the closeness he had long denied himself.
Leila tried again, her protests faltering under the weight of his intense gaze.
Landon’s patience, thin and frayed, finally snapped. His grip on her wrist tightened ever so slightly, not in anger but in silent determination. Then, without warning, he leaned in, capturing her lips with his.
The kiss stole Leila’s breath, rendering her speechless. Her eyes widened in shock, her body stiffening as her mind scrambled to process the moment. Should she pull away? Should she push him back? But her hands, trapped in the heat of his embrace, refused to obey.
Landon’s scent surrounded her. It was disarming, intoxicating in its own right. Her head swam, the world narrowing to the space between them. Her resistance melted like snow under a rising sun.
Leila’s heartbeat thundered in her ears, drowning out her doubts. Slowly, she gave in, letting the moment consume her. When Landon finally pulled back, his lips brushed her ear as he exhaled, his breath warm and unsteady.
A shiver ran through Leila as the cold leather of the sofa pressed against her bare back, drawing her back to reality.
“It’s cold,” she whispered.
As soon as the words left her lips, the world tilted. Before Leila could react, Landon had scooped her up with ease, carrying her to the bed with a determined stride.
When Leila opened her eyes again, soft morning light filtered through the curtains. Her body ached in ways that made even the smallest movements feel like an effort, her limbs heavy with exhaustion.
A firm, warm hand rested against her waist, its presence impossible to ignore.
Her mind blanked for a moment, caught in the haze of waking. Then, like a floodgate opening, fragments of the previous night rushed back, each memory more vivid than the last.
Heat surged to her face as realization dawned. She stared at the hand on her waist, her thoughts a chaotic swirl of emotions she couldn’t quite name. Yet, for all her confusion, the idea of fleeing didn’t cross her mind. Instead, she lay there, dazed, her gaze fixed on that hand as though trying to make sense of it all.
The hand shifted, and a deep, slightly hoarse voice broke the silence.
“Awake?”
“Mm,” she murmured, her voice barely audible as she buried herself deeper into the quilt, seeking its comforting cocoon.
Landon’s gaze lingered on her, a hint of confusion flickering across his face. Though the alcohol had dulled his senses the night before, his memories remained intact. What had transpired felt surreal, as though he were still caught in some vivid dream. Yet, it wasn’t a dream. The reality of having Leila beside him felt both startling and precious.
For a brief, selfish second, Landon allowed himself to entertain a dangerous thought. What if she never remembered her past? Free of the weight of her old memories, they could leave everything behind-every complication, every shadow-and start anew.
Once the thought had taken root, Landon found it difficult to shake. It wasn’t just wishful thinking. It felt plausible, almost natural, especially since so much time had passed without any sign of her recalling her past.
As Leila burrowed deeper into the quilt, trying to hide her embarrassment, Landon chuckled. The sight amused him, and with a gentle tug, he pulled her upward.
Caught off guard, Leila gasped, her wide eyes meeting his. The sudden proximity made her heart race, and the flush on her cheeks deepened. Despite being in his thirties, his physique was lean and well-defined, and his straightforwardness left her struggling to keep her composure.
Feeling overwhelmed by the moment, Leila tried to sit up, only to wince as a sharp ache flared in her waist.
“Shouldn’t we get dressed first?” The instant these words escaped, she regretted it. What was she even saying? Her awkwardness was palpable, and Landon’s reaction only made it worse.
ake’s lips curled into a genuine smile, his amusement unmistakable. He rarely laughed so freely, and Leila couldn’t help but be momentarily mesmerized by it. She had never seen him like this before-unguarded, at ease. It was almost as if she were seeing a new side of him, one she hadn’t realized existed. Reaching out, Landon gently touched her flushed cheek, his touch light yet steady.
“Go back to sleep,” he said softly, his tone carrying a warmth that made her chest tighten.
“I’ll handle everything.”
Leila nodded, her voice caught in her throat. It wasn’t laziness that made her comply-it was the undeniable soreness and exhaustion that left her body unwilling to move.
As Landon stood, her eyes involuntarily followed him, tracing his movements. Her ears turned crimson as she realized where her gaze lingered, and she quickly looked away, sinking back into the quilt to hide her flustered expression.
Landon dressed impeccably and handed a fresh nightgown to Leila.
At first, Leila was confused by his choice, but her eyes quickly drifted to the scattered remains of her clothing on the floor, and the realization hit her. Clearing her throat, she tried to mask her embarrassment.
“But walking out of here in a nightgown doesn’t seem very appropriate,” Leila remarked.
Landon smiled slightly, raising an eyebrow.
“And if I send someone to your room for clothes, or have them bring you an outfit, that would be far less discreet. You’d rather explain why you’re borrowing clothes from here?”
Leila couldn’t find a good counterargument, but that didn’t stop her from glaring at him, her frustration evident.
“You’re the one who ruined my clothes,” she replied, crossing her arms.
Landon’s confidence faltered for a moment, a rare flash of unease crossing his features as he glanced away.
With no other choice, Leila began slipping into the nightgown.
The moment she moved, however, a sharp pang shot through her body, making her gasp softly.
Unable to watch any longer, Landon stepped forward to help Leila dress.
Surprisingly, Leila did not resist his intimate touch. Despite it being her first time being close to someone since her memory loss, she felt no discomfort. Her body seemed to remember what her mind had forgotten.
Instead of speaking her thoughts, Leila repeatedly looked up at Landon. Facing her, he had shed his usual cold demeanor. He felt like the warm breeze that follows a long winter, his smile gentle.
Leila’s mood lifted inexplicably as she gazed at him.
Once dressing her, Landon held her close.
They lay together quietly, savoring the peaceful moment.
A sudden clarity hit Leila as she remembered her purpose for visiting Landon the day before.
“Mr. La- Landon,” she corrected herself mid-sentence, dropping the formal title as it no longer seemed fitting.
“Did you forget? I told you yesterday that I needed to discuss something with you.”
Landon responded casually with a simple “No.”
Leila spoke up quickly.
“I think we should avoid taking Elma to Miss Payne’s mentor. We don’t trust him, and we’ve never met him. There could be risks if we take Elma there.”
Landon looked at her with a puzzled expression.
“You were so eager to find me yesterday just for this?”
Leila nodded in confirmation.
Landon was at a loss.
“Why didn’t you just tell me directly? There was no need to wait until I was finished with work. It’s not a big deal, and I wouldn’t have been upset about it.”
Leila let out a soft sigh.