Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila shook her head, holding Sarah’s piercing gaze.
“I know you, Sarah. You don’t have the resources or the skills to pull this off. What I don’t understand is why you agreed to take the fall for someone else.” Leila’s voice softened, but her words were sharp.
“I pity you, Sarah. You could have lived a few more years of glory, but you let yourself end up here. What did they promise you? Or was it fear that forced you to take the blame? Either way, none of us win in the end.”
Leila’s next words were a calculated jab.
“When you’re gone, I’ll make sure to visit your grave every year just to tell you how happy Landon and Lacey are.”
Leila could tell Sarah had given up on everything except her lingering feelings toward Landon.
Sarah had always convinced herself that Landon was meant to be hers. Perhaps, if she hadn’t let go of him back then, her life might have taken a different course.
In the solitude of the night, Sarah’s regrets festered, turning into a heavy emotional weight that relentlessly haunted her.
Through gritted teeth, Sarah hissed, “I don’t need your pity. Your provocations didn’t work on me. I planted the bomb. That’s all you need to know.”
Leila crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair, her tone light but cutting.
“Does it matter? You’re dying with regrets anyway. Who would have thought you’d hold onto bitterness for so long, only to let another woman take the man you love in the end? Landon truly loves Lacey. You’ve seen it yourself. Tell me, is he kinder to her than he ever was to you?”
“Shut up!” Sarah snapped, her composure shattering. The thought of Landon and Lacey together in public stoked her jealousy into a raging inferno. But she had no choice. She was bound by that man’s demands. Sarah’s chest heaved violently as she struggled to steady her breath. She forced herself to calm down, taking a deliberate inhale.
“I told you, Leila-I did it. Provoking me won’t work.”
Leila studied Sarah’s resolute facade, feeling a pang of helplessness. Her curiosity burned to uncover the identity of the person who made Sarah take the blame and the full extent of their schemes. Could Landon truly be the mastermind?
As the police moved to escort Sarah away, she abruptly stopped.
Turning, she fixed Leila with a chilling, sinister smile. Her pale, thin face seemed to carry the malice of a vengeful ghost.
Sarah enunciated with unnerving clarity, “Leila, I’ll watch from heaven, watching as the people you love and trust betray you.”
Leila’s heart skipped a beat, the venomous words striking deep. She opened her mouth to speak but found herself frozen, watching as Sarah was led away. Was Sarah’s statement a calculated ploy to unsettle her, or was there truth in her ominous warning?
Leila’s mind returned to Landon, the pieces of his past actions falling into a disturbing pattern. First, his call halted her from entering the retreat that day. Then, the inexplicable kidnapping and release of Elma. Given Landon’s manipulative tendencies, it made no sense for him to relinquish control once he was on the cusp of victory. Unless…
A chilling thought took root in Leila’s mind. What if Landon’s true aim had never been custody but something far darker? Could his ultimate goal be the destruction of the children she held dear?
The realization sent a cold shiver down her spine, her thoughts spiraling with doubt and fear. The memory of Landon’s previous words echoed in her mind-his assertion that he would fight for custody. Perhaps, unable to win through the courts, he had chosen to strike at her heart in the cruelest way imaginable.
When it came to anything involving her children, Leila couldn’t keep her emotions in check. Her mind ran through every possibility, and Landon’s behavior seemed far too suspicious. After all, he was the only one who could have persuaded Sarah to take the fall. Maybe he’d coaxed Sarah with sweet words and empty promises.
Doubts crept into Leila’s mind. Sarah wasn’t so blindly in love with Landon that she’d sacrifice herself for his sake. No, Landon must have dangled something more tempting in front of Sarah. The more Leila tried to piece it all together, the murkier it became. With no other choice, she instructed her people to discreetly keep tabs on the Kensington family’s activities.
While Leila was digging for answers, so was Landon. Unlike her, he wasn’t distracted by misleading clues. His thoughts went straight to a name.
“Clayton,” Landon said, his voice sharp and cold.
Leo’s eyebrows shot up.
“Clayton? But he’s head over heels for Miss Nixon! Why would he do something like this?”
Landon leaned back with a humorless laugh.
“Yes, he loves her. But love doesn’t always lead to kindness-it can twist into jealousy just as easily. And Leila’s never truly been with Clayton, has she? The kids might have played a part in that.”
Landon’s mind drifted to a conversation he’d once had with Elma. They had been sitting together, talking casually, when he asked her what she thought of Clayton.
Elma had admitted that she believed Clayton was a decent man. Even so, she had made it clear she didn’t want Leila ending up with him. When Landon had pressed her for a reason, Elma couldn’t come up with one.
Even Elma felt this way about Clayton. It was likely the other two children shared her instincts as well. After all, Elma and Clayton had a bond that ran deeper than what the other two children shared with Clayton.
Clayton, however, wasn’t the type to back down until he got what he wanted. Perhaps the sting of never winning Leila over had warped his mind. Now, his focus seemed to shift dangerously toward her children. It was as though he was searching for any weakness he could exploit.
Landon’s voice turned sharp as he continued, “And by doing this, Clayton could shift all the blame onto me. That would only deepen Leila’s hatred for me.”
Leo’s face tightened with worry.
“What? That’s impossible! Mr. Kensington, everyone knows how much you care for the children. I mean, remember that day? You could’ve hidden Elma away, but when you saw her crying her heart out, you relented. You gave up that perfect opportunity just because you couldn’t stand seeing her so upset. Why would you ever hurt the children? Even if Clayton tries to twist things, Miss Nixon wouldn’t believe it, would she? Shouldn’t we explain the truth? We can’t just sit back and let Clayton drag your name through the mud.”
Landon chuckled bitterly, a sound that carried more frustration than humor.
“Explain? What’s the point? In her eyes, I might be that kind of person. She’s not interested in hearing my side. She’d rather believe anyone else over me.”
The bitter thought hadn’t just occurred to Landon now. It had started the day Sophie fell into the pool and Leila called to interrogate him about it. That moment had marked a shift-one he couldn’t stop, no matter how much it hurt.
His chest tightened, but he shook his head. To her, his explanations were nothing more than excuses. They sounded weak, desperate, even pitiful. And worse, they might even make him look small in front of her. What good would it do?
Leo studied Landon’s darkened expression and felt a wave of helplessness. He wanted to help, but what could he do? This wasn’t something anyone else could fix. Whatever stood between Landon and Leila could only be resolved if both of them truly wanted to bridge the distance. Otherwise, no amount of persuasion from others would make a difference.
Leo hesitated before asking, “So, Mr. Kensington, what’s the plan? Should we just stay out of this entirely? Rest assured, I’m keeping a close eye on the Kensington Group and the Kensington family. Clayton won’t get a chance to frame us.”
Landon shook his head, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.
“Stay out of it? That’s impossible. No matter what Leila thinks of me, I must get involved in this matter.” He paused, his voice cold as steel.
“Because that reckless Clayton is targeting my daughter.”
Leo immediately understood the weight of Landon’s words. His hesitation melted away, and his spirits lifted.
“Mr. Kensington, I’ll make arrangements right away.”
Meanwhile, Clayton quietly observed Leila’s movements, his plans unfolding with meticulous patience. When he saw that Leila had gone to visit Sarah in prison, he remained composed, his confidence unshaken.
Clayton took his time, moving with an air of unshaken confidence as he placed a symphony record on the turntable. The melody filled the room, rich and smooth.
Clayton poured himself a glass of red wine, the deep crimson liquid swirling in the crystal glass. Sinking into the leather sofa, he let himself relish the moment, basking in an aura of calculated calm.
Fear of discovery never crossed his mind. First, Sarah wouldn’t dare reveal the truth. Second, even if Leila grew suspicious, he knew she wouldn’t look in his direction.
His goal wasn’t something as crude as murder. He solely wanted to drive an irreparable wedge between Leila and Landon.
Just then, the butler appeared, his steps hurried but measured as he bent to whisper in Clayton’s ear.
“Mr. Morgan, someone is here.”
Clayton opened his eyes, his calm demeanor unwavering. A faint smile played on his lips as he asked, “Is it Leila?”
The butler’s expression darkened with worry. His voice was low, almost tense.
“It’s Landon. He brought people with him, and they seem aggressive, not here for a friendly visit.”
Clayton blinked once, a flicker of surprise flashing across his face. Landon was moving faster than he had anticipated. Typical. Landon was as relentless as ever, a thorn that refused to be plucked.
A chuckle escaped Clayton’s lips, cold and measured.
“Then don’t stop them. Let them in.” He paused, his smile sharpening into something more sinister.
“And remember, find a chance to call Leila.”
The butler nodded but hesitated, shifting nervously.
“I don’t think they’ll leave peacefully. Mr. Morgan, should I call for more bodyguards?”