Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
If Lacey’s ambitions had been limited to money or power, Landon could have managed-those were tangible, negotiable. He could have provided those without hesitation. But love? That was something he couldn’t offer. Not to Lacey. Not to any other woman except Leila. Even if fate refused to align him with Leila in this lifetime, his heart wouldn’t stray. He wasn’t the kind of man to make promises he couldn’t keep, and Lacey’s unreciprocated longing was a weight he refused to carry.
Someone as emotionally compromised as Lacey could be easily swayed by others, and that risk was something Landon couldn’t afford. If not for Elma’s health being tied to Lacey’s care, he would have dismissed her long ago. If it came to it, even Lacey’s refusal to leave wouldn’t stop him. He would forcibly remove her from his life if it meant safeguarding his daughter-and his peace of mind.
Landon’s team was scouring the globe, searching tirelessly for doctors who could treat Elma’s condition. His conviction was steadfast, and he was confident they would find a solution soon. Landon’s unwavering determination reassured Leila, easing the knot of worry in her chest. Perhaps it was the bond between them, unspoken yet undeniable, and she found herself instinctively trusting Landon.
Just as they were walking together, something sparked in Leila’s mind, and she stopped abruptly. Her hesitation didn’t go unnoticed by Landon..
Assuming she was not feeling well, Landon frowned.
“Is everything okay? Do you want me to call a doctor?”
Leila quickly shook her head, flustered.
“No, it’s not that,” she said, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink.
“I just… I just remembered something and wanted to discuss it with you.”
Landon relaxed slightly, his gaze softening as he nodded. Leaning in slightly, he encouraged her.
“Go on.”
But as Leila glanced around and noticed the passing servants, she faltered. Even though she knew they wouldn’t hear their conversation, she couldn’t shake her embarrassment. Her blush deepened as she murmured, “Can we go to a more private place? I don’t want to talk here.”
Landon agreed without hesitation, but before Leila could react, he swept her off her feet and carried her in his arms.
“Landon!” Leila gasped, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck for balance.
He carried her straight toward the dining room.
From afar, Leila spotted the three children already seated at the breakfast table. Panic set in, and she wriggled in his arms, trying to free herself.
“What are you doing? Put me down!” she hissed, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Didn’t I say I wanted to discuss something with you in private?”
Landon didn’t so much as falter. If anything, he quickened his pace, ignoring her protests with practiced ease.
“Whatever you need to talk about, you still need to eat first,” he said casually.
“We were up for so long last night-aren’t you hungry?”
Leila’s mouth opened in protest, but she promptly closed it, her cheeks burning hotter. He wasn’t wrong. She hadn’t eaten the night before, and the energy spent in their intimacy had left her starving.
As if to confirm his point, her stomach growled audibly. Landon’s lips twitched into a faint smirk, the amusement in his eyes unmistakable.
Leila’s resistance faded as the reality of her hunger set in.
“Fine,” she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible.
“But you don’t have to carry me over…”
Her head dipped lower in embarrassment, her gaze fixed on the floor as they entered the dining room.
Landon effortlessly set her down at the table as though her protests had never happened.
The children noticed Landon and Leila’s warm interactions.
Elma’s wide smile showed her joy. Sophie, though her face remained neutral, had a twinkle in her eyes. Calvin, however, briefly watched them before turning away with a sneer. It was clear he disliked the scene. He was not fond of Landon, but he was powerless to change the fact that Leila and Landon were together.
Leila seemed much happier since she and Landon had reconciled, leaving Calvin with no valid reason to object. This realization only deepened Calvin’s frustration, making him lose his appetite at breakfast.
As Calvin was about to excuse himself, Sophie caught on to his plan. She grabbed him, lowering her voice to a whisper with all the authority of an older sister.
“You’ve been avoiding coming home these days. We seldom gather like this, and everyone wants to see you. Let’s not spoil the meal.”
Calvin was only eight but had grown as tall as Sophie was at fifteen. His mature presence belied his age, and nobody would mistake him for a typical young child.
Calvin had inherited Landon’s commanding aura, and his silent, piercing gaze could be unsettling. Yet, in the face of his sister’s firm stance, he was as docile as a tamed kitten. He reluctantly agreed.
“Don’t worry, Sophie, I won’t make trouble.” What else could he do but comply?
Leila felt her cheeks warm as she noticed the children’s reactions and struggled to find the right words. None of the children questioned the reconciliation, taking it as something expected.
Landon broke the silence first, lightening the mood a bit.
“Let’s eat first.”
The family then started their meal together.
Elma, the little darling she was, stuck close to Leila, having missed her the previous day.
Elma complained not about the past day’s events but about the bitterness of her morning medicine and her reluctance to take it. Leila’s expression turned serious.
“You have to take it, Elma. It will help you get better.”
“You need to take your medicine to get better. Otherwise, you might need an injection, and that is far worse than any medicine.”
Elma’s memory flashed to Cara, who used to administer painful growth-inhibiting injections. Those injections had always been excruciating. Cara, showing little concern for how Elma felt, would ensure Elma was held down during the process.
Elma’s face twisted in distress, fearing the prospect of an injection. This left Leila at a loss. She had forgotten Elma’s intense fear of needles.
Confused by Elma’s tearful reaction to the mere mention of injections, Leila quickly reassured Elma, pulling her into her lap.
“Okay, no injections, but you must take your medicine, alright?”
Elma, unable to stop her tears, left Leila with no option but to seek Landon’s assistance. While Leila was at a loss, Landon understood the unspoken.
Landon tenderly wiped away Elma’s tears and whispered to Leila, “Do you see what our daughter needs? She hopes you’ll be there next time she has her medicine.”
Elma, gripping Leila’s hand tightly, pleaded, “Yes, if you’re with me, it won’t feel as bad.”
Leila, while caressing Elma’s face, took a mental note to steer clear of discussing injections with her.
After breakfast, the children urged Leila to play. Leila was willing but lacked the energy. Within half an hour, she was completely drained.
“Can we play another time? I need to rest,” Leila said, breathless from fatigue. Her exhaustion wasn’t due to laziness or a reluctance to move. Her body simply ached from her last night’s intimacy with Landon, and maintaining activity for even thirty minutes was a feat.
Elma, bursting with energy, pouted and said, “But Mommy, it’s such a beautiful day. Can’t we stay out a bit longer?”
Leila could barely stand. She leaned to one side, gesturing her inability to continue.
Leila’s heart sank at Elma’s crestfallen expression. She quickly found herself inwardly blaming Landon. Blaming his lack of restraint the previous night, she believed it was why she felt so drained today.
Meanwhile, Landon felt a tickle in his nose as he sat in his office. He ignored it, concentrating on his tasks. Completing them faster meant he could join his family sooner.
This thought brought a slight grin to Landon’s face. Previously, he viewed his corporate responsibilities merely as hurdles to his rest and empire-building, ensuring his unchallenged authority. Now, his perspective had shifted. He recognized that his family awaited his return. This unusual feeling fueled his drive significantly.
Sophie, puzzled by Leila’s need for rest, still empathized with her.
Sophie gently took Elma aside and explained, “Elma, our parents are adults. They have other responsibilities, unlike us with our ample free time. We should try to understand our mommy.”
Elma responded with a pout, “I know.”
Sophie offered a suggestion.