Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“If so, I’m truly sorry. It won’t happen again.”
Landon’s eyelashes fluttered as he held her hand, his expression a mix of seriousness and resolve.
“Really? Are you lying?”
Leila laughed softly, leaning in to give him a gentle kiss.
“Of course not. Why would I lie to you?”
Having made amends, they shared several tender moments, with Landon usually taking the lead.
Leila seldom initiated, but a mere kiss from her was enough to delight Landon.
To him, even if he were being deceived, his happiness in that moment was all that mattered. Nothing else seemed significant as long as she smiled like that.
Moved by the moment, Landon deepened their kiss.
Leila struggled to breathe, wanting to push him away but lacking the strength, and finally surrendered.
Still, they went no further. After all, Elma was sleeping close by, and disturbing her seemed unwise.
They drifted into sleep, wrapped in each other’s embrace, and remained so until dawn.
Surprisingly, Elma was the first to wake up. Blearily, she opened her eyes to find herself on the edge of the bed, not nestled between her parents as usual. Landon and Leila lay entwined in sleep.
Elma dimly recalled Landon moving her during the night. Slightly irked, she considered waking him but refrained, watching their peaceful slumber. Seeing them like this filled her with joy. Her parents were united again, ensuring their family would remain intact. That was certainly a positive outcome. With this in mind, she chose not to fault Landon.
Softly humming, Elma got dressed and left the tent.
Outside, Sophie and Calvin were already up.
The morning in the mountains was serene, with a thin mist enhancing the scenery.
The children made their way back to the lake, where they found a small raft waiting.
Elma had wanted to use the raft the previous day, but it was too late, and Leila had said no, which led Elma to reluctantly abandon the idea.
Now, Elma could not restrain herself and coaxed Sophie and Calvin to join her.
“Sophie, Calvin, let’s play on this for a little while,” she urged.
Sophie looked concerned.
“Elma, I don’t know how to row.”
Calvin let out a sigh.
“Neither do I.”
At their playful age, they were aware of their limits and the risk of trouble.
Elma, undeterred and full of adventure, continued to coax them with her playful charm.
“It’s fine. Nothing bad will happen. If you’re really concerned, we can call the bodyguards. There’s a rest area right here.” After persistent coaxing from Elma, Sophie finally gave in, sharing a knowing look with Calvin.
Calvin contacted the butler to request bodyguards proficient in swimming.
Thirty minutes later, the bodyguards arrived.
Elma excitedly led them onto the raft.
Sophie paused, looking back at the tent where Leila and Landon were still sleeping.
“Maybe we should tell our parents.”
Elma frowned.
“They’re asleep. Let’s go play without them.”
Amused yet resigned, Sophie and Calvin exchanged glances before joining Elma on the raft.
Despite its size, the raft could accommodate five, so the three children and two bodyguards boarded.
At first, Sophie was anxious, but soon became enchanted by the surrounding nature. She started paddling, delighted by the new experience, which made her giggle.
Laughter from the children filled the air around the lake.
Meanwhile, Leila woke up nestled in Landon’s arms. After a deep sleep, she felt a sense of contentment.
Leila burrowed deeper into Landon’s arms, cocooned by his warmth, determined to reclaim the drowsy sleep that was slipping away. Just as sleep began to pull Leila back under, a mischievous pinch landed on her cheek.
Her eyelids fluttered-half irritation, half surrender-while Landon chuckled, amused by her reaction.
With a huff and a sharp swat at his hand, Leila turned her back on him, stubbornly signaling that his antics were no match for her resolve to savor a few more moments of rest.
Landon leaned in, his breath warm against Leila’s ear as he whispered, “Stop dozing off. Your daughter’s been up for a while, and who knows what kind of trouble she’s causing now.”
Leila’s eyes flew open, the remnants of her sleepiness dissolving. She shifted to sit up.
“Elma’s awake? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
Landon chuckled, his arms snugly wrapped around her waist, refusing to budge. As she tried to rise, his hold pulled her off balance, causing her to tumble back against his chest.
Frustrated, Leila bit his shoulder-a sharp but harmless nip. Landon let out a muffled grunt, his expression unreadable, yet he made no move to release her.
“Landon!” she snapped, struggling against his grip.
“What are you doing? Let me go!”
With maddening calm, Landon replied, “Relax. I just want to stay like this a bit longer. Elma’s fine. I’ve already spoken to the butler, and the bodyguards are on watch.”
Before Leila could respond, hurried footsteps reached their ears, accompanied by the faint, distressed sound of Sophie crying.
Both of them froze, their playful moment shattered.
Landon released Leila instantly, and Leila, barefoot and frantic, bolted out of the tent without a second thought.
Seeing Sophie running toward her, drenched, pale, and crying, Leila’s heart sank with fear.
Even though her past memories remained a blank canvas, Leila had been trying to embrace the reality that these children were hers. Motherhood was a foreign yet instinctual role she was learning to navigate. And now, seeing Sophie like this-fragile, frightened-her maternal instincts surged.
“Sophie!” Leila cried out, rushing forward and wrapping the trembling girl in her arms. Her own body shook with fear.
“What happened? Are you hurt? Did someone harm you?”
Sophie’s sobs quieted slightly under the shelter of her mother’s embrace. She shook her head and pulled back, wiping her tears with trembling hands.
“Mom,” she said, her voice broken with emotion.
“Elma is in danger. You need to go now.”
Apparently, the kids had ventured onto a raft, trusting that the presence of the bodyguards would ensure their safety.
But disaster struck when the raft began leaking in the middle of the lake. Panic set in as they attempted to paddle back to shore, only to realize it was too late.