Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Why don’t we watch a movie later? We haven’t tried the home cinema yet. How about that animated movie you wanted to see?”
Children were easily delighted, and Sophie quickly lifted Elma’s spirits.
Leila, pleased by this, gently pinched Sophie’s cheek. However, when Leila attempted to pinch Calvin’s cheek, he avoided her.
Calvin was more aware now and felt somewhat embarrassed.
Leila chuckled but respected his feelings.
They decided to go to the home cinema.
Sophie was happy to spend time with Elma and had no reservations.
Calvin simply wanted to be with his family, despite his disinterest in animated films.
Elma was truly content, marking it as her happiest day in recent months.
Yet, Elma felt a lingering sadness because she was inexplicably sleepy. She wondered why she was always so tired but told herself she must stay awake. Falling asleep meant she wouldn’t get to play with her mommy. Moreover, her daddy had promised to join them after finishing his work. She needed to persevere. Elma discreetly pinched herself to fight off sleep. In the darkness of the home cinema, this small act went unnoticed. Once they were seated in the home cinema, the movie started.
Elma soon fell asleep, her exhaustion overtaking her small frame. Clearly, she had overestimated her determination to stay awake.
The moment her eyelids grew heavy, Elma shuffled over to Leila’s side and nestled into her lap. Leila instinctively cradled Elma.
Maybe it was too comfortable because, within moments, Elma’s soft, steady breathing filled the room. She was fast asleep, her face serene as if lost in a pleasant dream.
Sophie, seated nearby, frowned as she watched.
“Elma was so excited about this movie and couldn’t stop talking about it. She just got up. How did she feel sleepy and fall asleep already?”
Leila smiled softly, her fingers brushing through Elma’s hair.
“It’s normal for kids to get sleepy.”
Sophie hesitated, her lips parting slightly, but she decided against saying anything more. Leila couldn’t recall anything from her past and didn’t know the full truth about Elma. Leila only knew that Elma was unwell, but not the details about her condition.
Everyone had silently agreed to keep Leila in the dark about her past.
To Leila, Elma was just an ordinary five-year-old.
But the reality was far more complicated. Elma was Calvin’s age, her body stunted by a growth-inhibiting drug that left her frail and vulnerable. The drug came with countless side effects.
Sophie understood why the truth was hidden. Since losing her memories, Leila had been lighter, happier, and unburdened by the pain and shadows of her past.
For years, Leila had endured so much, especially with the three kids and Landon’s sudden disappearance years ago. Smiles had become rare, and even when they came, they were shadowed by a sadness that lingered in her eyes.
Now, Leila could sleep peacefully without sleeping pills or visits to a psychologist.
Sophie had no desire to bring those memories back. All she wanted was for Leila to stay healthy and happy, just as Leila had hoped for her kids.
Concerned that Elma might catch a chill for sleeping on her lap for too long, Leila carefully called for a servant to carry her to a nearby room.
Once Elma was settled, Leila returned to Sophie and Calvin, a warm smile lighting her face. The flickering light from the movie illuminated her beautiful, delicate features.
Leila proposed, “Shall we pick another movie? I’ll watch it with you.”
Calvin perked up, glancing at Sophie before shyly speaking up.
“I’m fine with whatever you want.”
Leila shot him a mildly disapproving glance.
“You should have your own preferences, Calvin. It’s not good to always go along with others. Just because Elma needs a little more attention right now doesn’t mean you’re less important. You and Sophie are my children too, and you’re just as loved. We can’t overlook you.”
Sophie’s heart swelled at Leila’s words. She leaned closer, looping her arm through Leila’s.
“Got it. If there’s anything on our minds, we’ll make sure to tell you.”
Leila’s expression softened at Sophie’s words, and she turned to Calvin.
Calvin shifted uncomfortably under her gaze but stammered, “Yeah, we’ll tell you.”
However, it was obvious that Calvin had something weighing on him. Leila felt a headache coming on. She wondered what it was like when she used to interact with Calvin. But she trusted that, even without her memories, she could find her way through these relationships.
They settled on a movie, each eager to enjoy the moment together.
Sophie was delighted as she noted that Leila’s smile hadn’t faded, appearing genuinely happy.
Sophie’s voice dropped to a whisper as she said, “Mom, I hope you can stay in this condition forever.”
Sophie’s unexpected comment left Leila momentarily speechless, her mind struggling to grasp the weight of the words.
Leila gently patted Sophie’s head.
“What do you mean by that? Was I not good enough before?”
Sophie shook her head, her expression turning playful.
“You’ll find out one day.”
Leila chuckled, tapping Sophie on the nose.
“Oh no, don’t leave me in suspense, or else I’ll just have to ask someone else.”
But Sophie stubbornly refused to elaborate.
“It’s not important, really. You’ll see eventually.”
Leila, unwilling to let her off the hook so easily, launched a playful tickle attack.
Sophie squealed, squirming as she dissolved into laughter, curling into Leila’s arms.
Only then did Leila relent, humming softly as she smoothed Sophie’s hair.
Calvin watched them quietly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. But as his thoughts turned inward, the weight of what he had hidden in his heart made it difficult to muster even the faintest smile.
Calvin had been monitoring Lacey for days but found nothing substantial, apart from her awkward behavior that day. If Lacey was up to something, she should have made a move by now. He wondered whether he had misjudged her. Or was she quietly plotting something, with this silence just the calm before the storm? Maybe her silence was a tactic, meant to lull them into a false sense of security.
Calvin wrestled with the decision of whether to reveal the evidence he had gathered. But the only concrete evidence he had was a recording from that fateful day. Besides that, he had nothing. Though the recording seemed suspicious, it lacked concrete proof to confirm anything.
Even though Landon and Leila had reconciled, Calvin couldn’t shake the feeling that Landon might not be the husband Leila deserved. He feared that Landon might be swayed by pity for Lacey, and if he shared the evidence, it could tip Lacey off.
It was no surprise that Calvin’s mind was constantly racing with thoughts. He had experienced a great deal over the years. Leila had always been open with them about such matters.
In addition, Calvin had inherited Landon’s cautious nature. Aside from Leila and his sisters, he found it hard to place his trust in anyone else.
Engrossed in his thoughts, Calvin failed to realize that Sophie and Leila had been quietly observing him for some time. When he finally caught their eyes, he blinked, startled.
“What is it?” he asked.
Leila softly tugged Sophie’s hand before gesturing toward Calvin with a warm smile.
“You look tired. Why don’t you take a break? Stay home for a while instead of going to the company.”
Calvin shook his head firmly.