Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Meanwhile, in the quiet of the study, Lacey began to voice her thoughts.
Landon’s expression soured, a frown creasing his forehead as he wrestled with reluctance.
“You insisted that Elma needed rest, that we shouldn’t move her casually. You even opposed Leila’s idea of hospitalizing Elma. But now, you’re asking me to fly Elma out to your mentor’s place at dawn? It’s hours away by plane, Lacey. It’s not exactly nearby.”
Lacey listened, a knot of discomfort tightening in her stomach as Landon threw her own words back at her-the same words she had once used to scoff at Leila. A pang of unease washed over her. Did Landon’s concern for Leila run that deep? His protective stance seemed to amplify whenever Leila showed the slightest sign of distress.
With her teeth clenched, Lacey hastened to clarify, her voice firm yet tinged with desperation.
“Elma was in a dire state before, but she’s shown significant improvement thanks to my efforts. However, what we’re doing now merely tempers the symptoms without tackling the underlying problem. It’s not just the aftermath of the water incident. The bodyguards confirmed she was rescued swiftly after falling into the water.”
Lacey paused, locking eyes with Landon, her tone earnest.
“Mr. Kensington, if you truly care about Elma’s well-being, please, take her to see my mentor. I’ll understand your doubts. In fact, I plan to leave next week anyway.”
A rueful smile flickered across her face as she added, “I realize I can’t fully cure Elma. I refuse to waste her time-or mine.”
Landon genuinely desired Lacey’s departure, yet her broaching of the subject caught him off guard. Her sincere gaze left him puzzled about her intentions. She appeared genuine, her eyes clear and unwavering. However, entrusting Elma’s safety to a stranger was a risk he hesitated to take.
Lacey caught the flicker of hesitation in Landon’s expression, but she knew she had already said everything she could. If Landon remained unwilling to follow her suggestion, she knew there was no point in pushing him further. Forcing the issue could only spark suspicion she couldn’t afford.
Just as Lacey was poised to withdraw politely, Landon interjected, “Reach out to your mentor. I promise to bring Elma to your mentor’s place no later than the day after tomorrow.”
A flicker of a smile danced across Lacey’s lips before she composed herself and nodded briskly.
“And, if it’s not too much trouble, could Miss Nixon accompany her? It’s purely for Elma’s sake. Elma’s recovery at my mentor’s place could take a while. If Elma hasn’t seen her mom, she’ll worry, and that will only slow things down.”
Landon, massaging his temples in frustration, responded with a hint of irritation, “You needn’t remind me-I’m fully aware.”
Lacey’s expression remained enigmatic, her eyes shadowed as she lowered her gaze, which Landon, concerned with Elma’s condition, failed to catch.
No sooner had Lacey departed than Landon dialed Leo’s number. He instructed Leo to discreetly drag the raft from the bottom of the lake, ensuring that no one, especially the manor’s servants, noticed. The task was challenging, yet Landon had faith in Leo’s ability to pull it off seamlessly.
Leo consented, but a suspicion quickly clouded his thoughts.
“Mr. Kensington, do you think Elma’s tumble into the water might not have been an accident?” he questioned, his voice laced with concern.
Landon’s silence served as an unspoken confirmation.
Leo’s intuition had already been tingling with unease from the moment he’d learned of the mishap. The raft had been stable before, without a single issue when they initially embarked. Yet, mysteriously, it faltered precisely at the lake’s center. Could one of the bodyguards on the raft have tampered with it? This troubling thought suggested that the betrayal could have originated from within the Kensington family.
Hence, Landon had chosen to confide in Leo alone about his suspicions. With the gravity of the situation acknowledged, Landon tasked Leo with conducting a covert investigation.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Kensington. You’ve placed this in my hands, and I assure you, I won’t disappoint you,” Leo affirmed with resolute determination. Landon nodded in approval before hanging up.
Meanwhile, Leila, who had been drifting in and out of sleep, suddenly felt a comforting, tender touch on her hand. She cracked her eyes open slightly and soon realized she had dozed off at Elma’s bedside.
Elma was softly rubbing her cheek against Leila’s hand.
Elma looked utterly endearing, and Leila felt her heart soften, a warm smile spreading across her face. She caressed Elma’s rosy cheeks and whispered, “Are you feeling any better now?”
Elma gave a nod but then hesitated, shaking her head as she pointed at her throat.
Leila caught on instantly. She rose swiftly to fetch a cup of water for Elma.
After sipping the warm water, Elma’s condition visibly improved. Leila braced herself, anticipating Elma could voice some complaints about her discomfort or fears.
However, Elma’s response was unexpected. She murmured, her voice raspy and strained, “Mommy, I’m sorry.”
Leila froze, taken aback by the apology. She watched as Elma’s eyes brimmed with tears, her own concern mounting.
“What’s the matter, Elma? Are you still not feeling well? It’s okay to tell Mommy. Don’t be scared,” she urged gently.
Through her sobs, Elma shook her head.
“That’s not it,” she said shakily.
“I shouldn’t have left my bed without telling you. I shouldn’t have pushed to go to the middle of the lake. I shouldn’t have kept the bodyguards from informing you. I made everyone worry. I was naughty.”
Leila finally grasped the full weight of Elma’s apology and the depth of her remorse.
Leila’s heart ached as she looked at Elma. She was indeed angry-angry that Elma had been so careless and reckless. But Elma was just a child. If Elma hadn’t been sick, she would have been running around and playing like any other child her age.
But Elma couldn’t even go to school. She had to take awful-tasting medicine every day, and she couldn’t run, jump, or do any of the things other kids her age did. She had just been trying to have some fun, and she hadn’t seen the accident coming.
Leila suddenly felt a pang of unease. She shouldn’t be angry with Elma at all. She decided to talk to Elma about it later, when Elma was feeling better.
At Leila’s silence, Elma’s eyes filled with tears, and her eyelashes fluttered as tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Mommy,” she whimpered, tugging at Leila’s sleeve.
“You can yell at me or even spank me, but please don’t be mad at me or ignore me. I won’t do it again, I promise.”
Leila’s heart melted. She pulled Elma into a tight hug, gently patting her back to soothe her.
“It’s okay, honey. I’m not mad at you,” she whispered.
“It wasn’t your fault. It was an accident. But next time, please tell me and your daddy before you do something like that. We were just worried about you. We would never ignore you, sweetheart. Don’t be scared, and don’t cry.”
After a while, Elma finally calmed down, a smile returning to her face. She clung to Leila, not wanting to let go.
Just then, Lacey entered the room, carrying a bowl of dark, murky medicine. It was time for Elma’s medicine.
Elma’s face immediately scrunched up in disgust, and she burrowed deeper into Leila’s embrace. She clearly didn’t want to take it. Leila, unsure of how to handle the situation, tried to coax Elma gently.
“I know it tastes yucky, honey. But medicine always tastes bad. If you want to get better quickly, you have to take your medicine. I will feed you. And we can have some candy afterward.”
“Miss Payne,” Leila said politely.
“Could you put the medicine down for now? I’ll feed Elma.”
For some reason, this simple request seemed to irritate Lacey.
“This is exactly why I have so much trouble getting Elma to take her medicine!” Lacey snapped.
“Spoil her! I know you want to look like a good mother in front of Landon, but you’re going to ruin Elma! Stop indulging her, Leila! It’s not good for her!”
Leila stared at Lacey in disbelief. She couldn’t understand why Lacey was overreacting to such a simple request. And Lacey’s words were incredibly rude.
Leila glared at Lacey.
“I am gentle with my children because they are well-behaved and intelligent. I wanted to be good to my child and couldn’t see how it was any of your business.”
Lacey’s face twisted into a scowl, her eyes narrowing with resentment. To Lacey, Leila’s affectionate gestures toward Elma felt like a deliberate provocation, a way of flaunting her bond with Landon and their child. Lacey seethed with jealousy and anger.
Leila added, her voice turning cold, “I haven’t done anything to provoke you. And Elma is my child. I have every right to love and care for her.”
Lacey slammed the medicine bowl on the table, her arms crossed tightly.
“Is that so?” she retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“You don’t need to prove yourself to me. I’m just saying don’t exploit the child for your own benefit.”
Despite her young age, Elma sensed the animosity in Lacey’s tone and couldn’t remain silent.