Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila released her grip, her heart heavy with a mix of emotions as she looked at Elma’s earnest face. She smiled and gently stroked Elma’s hair.
“I’ve found a more qualified doctor, but they practice abroad. We’ll go overseas for your treatment. I promise you’ll recover.” Elma’s face beamed with joy, and she nodded eagerly. In truth, she had been reluctant to travel here. However, seeing her parents’ tireless efforts to help her heal, she felt compelled to cooperate.
Perhaps Elma possessed an innate sensitivity to her surroundings. She couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that clung to the place, a sense of lurking danger that made her long to escape.
Your escape begins with ga ln ov els . com
Leila’s words brought a wave of relief and excitement over Elma. Elma was overjoyed at the prospect of leaving.
“Great! Once I’m cured, we can explore new places together. Dad will come with us, right? And what about Calvin and Sophie? Will we pick them up in Burmoos?”
Leila shook her head, her voice trembling as she explained, “No, it will just be the two of us. Your dad won’t be coming with us. Neither will Calvin or Sophie.”
Leila’s plan to leave with Elma meant they couldn’t risk going to Burmoos. Landon would undoubtedly catch them. Calvin and Sophie were already safe at the Kensington family’s home. Landon wouldn’t be able to harm them, even if he was furious.
As anticipated, Elma was disheartened by the news. She clung to Leila’s arm, her face creased with worry.
“Mom, why can’t my dad come with us? Did he upset you? You two shouldn’t argue so much. If you have a disagreement, you should talk it over. Communication can solve any problem.”
Leila felt a mixed pang of amusement and sadness. It was a lesson typically imparted by adults to children. Yet, here was Elma, offering the same wisdom to her. Elma clearly fretted over the family. Leila blamed herself for making the children worry.
Leila shook her head, her expression serious.
“It’s not because of that. But I can’t explain it to you right now,” she said, her voice laced with a hint of apology.
“Elma, I need to know if you’re willing to leave with me.”
Elma hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. But then, after a moment of contemplation, she nodded firmly, her resolve unwavering.
“I am,” she declared, her voice filled with conviction.
“I will go wherever you go. Wherever you are, that’s my home.”
Elma harbored a deep wish for Landon and Leila to reconcile, to have the happy family she always yearned for. But in Elma’s mind, Leila’s happiness eclipsed all else. If she had to choose, she’d readily relinquish everything to stay with Leila.
In the past, Elma had lived with Cara. She used to believe that her perceived bad behavior was the reason she couldn’t win Cara’s love. But after returning to live with Leila, she truly understood the depths of maternal love. Leila gave her a childhood filled with joy and wonder. She was happy during her time with Leila. And children always yearned for their mothers.
Seeing Elma’s unwavering determination to stay with her, Leila felt her eyes burn with unshed tears. She hugged Elma again, her embrace filled with fierce protectiveness.
“Elma, no matter what, I will protect you.”
Now that Elma had agreed to leave, Leila’s most pressing task was to find someone to help them. Her assistants were all in Burmoos, a considerable distance away. If she called for their help, it would undoubtedly alert Landon before they could reach her.
A pang of regret shot through Leila. Her recent closeness with Landon had lulled her into a false sense of security, leaving her vulnerable. Leila racked her brain, trying to think of someone who could help them. Although Clayton had offered his help if she ever found herself in trouble, her instincts screamed at her to keep her distance.
Suddenly, a name surfaced in Leila’s mind. It was Edgar. Since yesterday, fragments of memories had flickered through her mind, and Edgar was among them. While her recollections of him were limited, an inner voice assured her that he was trustworthy. She was out of options.
With a surge of hope, Leila dialed Edgar’s number.
It was a good thing Leila had saved Edgar’s phone number in her contacts.
Leila dialed the number, and almost immediately, the call connected. Edgar’s voice, tinged with surprise and concern, floated through the speaker.
“Miss Nixon? Is everything alright? It’s quite unexpected to receive your call.”
Since being dismissed by Landon, Edgar had kept in touch with Leila sporadically. However, their communication had dwindled recently for no apparent reason.
Edgar hadn’t dwelled on it much, attributing the silence to Leila’s busy life. Besides, he had been in touch with Sophie, who reassured him that her parents were doing fine and that everything at home was stable.
Sophie had even hinted that Leila and Landon might have mended their relationship, which Edgar felt happy for them about.
Despite being dismissed by Landon, Edgar found himself living a serene and secure life, built on the substantial income he had earned while working for Landon.
Edgar’s thoughts were once tainted with sharp bitterness, but over time, he grew to accept the hand life had dealt him.
Recently, Clayton had approached Edgar, probing subtly to see if any resentments toward Landon lingered and hinting at a significant opportunity that might involve him.
Without hesitation, Edgar had forced Clayton out, his tone cold and unmistakably aggressive.
Despite being in his early thirties, Edgar had amassed enough wealth to last a lifetime. He could have ventured into starting his own business if he wished, but he chose to lead a tranquil life, enjoying carefree days alongside his wife and child. His young one was excelling at school, and even if Landon implored him to come back and work for him, he had no intentions of doing so.
Thus, Edgar was a bit concerned at Leila’s unexpected call.
Leila was hesitant about how to break the news, so she opted for a direct approach.
“Edgar, can you find a way to help Elma and me leave? I’m thinking of taking Elma abroad, but I don’t know who else to trust, so I reached out to you.”
Edgar’s response came with a tinge of shock.
“Help you leave? Where exactly are you right now?”
After Leila relayed the address, she continued, “This place is crawling with Landon’s people. Edgar, I believe you’re the only one who can help us. Our fate is entirely in your hands.”
Leila chose not to reveal to Edgar her struggles with amnesia, instead using her current predicament as leverage to convince him. The gravity of her situation weighed heavily on her, her nerves frayed by the risky gambit she felt compelled to undertake.
Edgar paused, lost in thought and silent for a long moment.
Leila felt a twinge of unease. She had braced herself for this reaction, yet disappointment washed over her all the same. However, she harbored no resentment toward Edgar. She realized she had been a bit too hasty.
Recognizing this, Leila’s voice grew gentle.
“Edgar, I apologize. I acted too hastily. Please, disregard what I said earlier. Just pretend today’s conversation never happened.”
Leila’s hand hovered over the button to end the call when Edgar’s resolute voice broke through.
“I’ll help you. You’ve helped me in the past. I owe you for that, and honestly, this task is well within my capabilities. Though you’re not far, I’ll need a bit of time to get everything ready. Will dinner time be okay?”
A spark of hope ignited in Leila’s eyes.
“Thank you.”
Edgar responded with a light laugh.
“No, I should be thanking you.” In the years of Landon’s absence, when the Kensington Group lacked leadership and was vulnerable to attacks, Leila had stood firm and thwarted multiple attempts by former adversaries to destabilize the company, repeatedly safeguarding its interests.
Edgar was aware that Leila had intervened on behalf of Landon, but it was still a favor. Plus, in the face of Landon’s harsh dismissal months earlier, Leila was the only one brave enough to defend him.
Edgar was the type to remember such acts of kindness deeply. He had long resolved that no matter what he relinquished in life, he could never turn a blind eye if Leila found herself in peril. Assisting her now would make him feel he had returned the favor a bit.
Edgar’s earlier promise of whisking Leila and Elma away was just to reassure her. He was acutely aware that taking them away under Landon’s watchful eyes was akin to tiptoeing through a minefield-a perilously tough endeavor. He could only hope that their shared history might soften Landon’s potential backlash.
With his decision firmly in place, Edgar took a moment to say goodbye to his wife and his child.
Meanwhile, Leila was holed up in the room with Elma, her anxiety palpable. She compulsively checked on Elma’s well-being, unable to settle until she was certain of Elma’s safety.
Initially, Elma had been poised to confront Landon with some pressing questions, but witnessing Leila’s distressed state, she chose to remain by Leila’s side instead.
As the evening wore on and dinner time loomed, Leila’s agitation only intensified.
To her relief, Edgar had just sent a message, informing her that he and his team had arrived but needed her to bring Elma downstairs.
Mulling over the situation, Leila realized that taking Elma out directly would undoubtedly catch Landon’s attention. He might not suspect their actual intent, but he would certainly have them tailed. Such surveillance would thwart any smooth rendezvous with Edgar. She needed a cunning plan to distract Landon.
At that moment, Elma, oblivious to the brewing storm, was sound asleep, nestled in Leila’s arms.