Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Brent responded with a frosty tone, “Sophia, you make it sound like you’re the only one handling all the medical arrangements and consultations around the clock. Other than arriving here daily to weep and aggravate everyone, what contributions have you actually made?”
At that, Sophia’s sobbing came to an abrupt stop.
Embarrassment washed over her face.
“Brent!” Jerome, clearly displeased, cut in. His words triggered a coughing fit, exacerbated by his agitation.
Sophia reached out to assist Jerome, but he sidestepped her attempt.
Taking a moment to regain his composure, Jerome’s features hardened. “I need a moment alone with Brent. Please leave.”
Reluctantly, Sophia cast a lingering look at the two before exiting the ward.
With Sophia gone, Brent’s facade crumbled. Tears welled up in his eyes for the first time, and his hand shook as he clutched Jerome’s. “Grandpa, how are you holding up? Don’t worry, if things don’t work out here, we can seek treatment overseas. We’re bound to find a solution.”
Jerome shook his head, his expression softening into a loving smile, a rare change from his usual seriousness. “It’s my fault I wasn’t there for you when the family was in chaos. Now that things have settled, it only proves how capable you are. I trust you completely with our family’s future. These past few days must have been tough for you.”
Brent felt a surge of emotions and quickly turned his head to hide the tears brimming in his eyes.
Jerome continued, “I need to discuss something important with you. Your aunt has made many mistakes, but she remains my only daughter. If I’m ever not around, I ask that you don’t pass anything from the Hayes Group to her and her son. I’ve set aside some private savings for them. They’ll be taken care of.”
Brent was taken aback. “Grandpa, don’t you remember what she said when she left with that man? If she had cared even slightly for you, she wouldn’t have acted that way. Are you fooled by her?”
Jerome shook his head again, his tone resolute. “I’m not deceived. Though my eyesight may be weakening, my judgment remains sharp. But what can I do? She is still my daughter. I indulged her too much when she was young and didn’t guide her between right and wrong. It’s my fault… her father’s fault, after all.”
Jerome’s inner turmoil was evident, tears rolling down his cheeks.
Brent’s heart softened. After pondering the situation, he chose to keep Boris’ wrongdoings from Jerome. He didn’t want to add to Jerome’s worries. Given Jerome’s affection for Leila, the truth would certainly distress him.
Brent couldn’t bear the thought of causing Jerome any harm.
His face set in determination, he said, “Don’t worry. As long as Boris and Leila stay out of trouble from now on, I’ll treat them fairly.”
Jerome nodded, visibly relieved by his words.
Meanwhile, at the hospital door, Sophia stood tense and uneasy, stealing glances into Jerome’s ward.
Just as Sophia was about to step inside, one of the bodyguards Brent had appointed blocked her path.
Indignant, Sophia snapped, “What do you mean by this? I’m Jerome’s daughter. Why am I being treated like I don’t belong here?”
The bodyguard kept his composure, responding politely, “I’m sorry, but I’m following your father’s and your nephew’s instructions. You’ll need their permission to enter.”
Another voice chimed in, sharp and dismissive, “We take orders only from the head of the Hayes family. Are you the head?”
“You!” Sophia exhaled sharply, her frustration palpable. With a huff, she turned and left for another ward.
Sophia then called Boris. “I followed your advice. That old man was visibly moved when he saw me, tears and everything. But then Brent showed up, and they threw me out. What are they plotting in there? Do you think they’re trying to cut us off?”
The thought made Sophia tremble with fear. She was just getting used to the opulent lifestyle of the Hayes family again. How could she possibly face being ousted?
Boris’s voice was grim as it came through. “They’re not about to throw us out, but I suspect he was hinting to Brent that we’re no longer part of the Hayes’ future. If they really wanted us gone, they’d have told us directly. We can’t just confront them, we have to be more strategic.”
“No, I can’t accept that!” Sophia’s anger surged, and she clenched her fist, tempted to hurl her phone against the wall. “I am Jerome’s daughter, and you are his grandson. Why couldn’t we be the heirs? You are far more deserving than Brent. The Hayes legacy should be yours!”
“Mom,” Boris cut in, his tone laced with impatience. “Why raise your voice? The other branches of the Hayes family can’t compare to us. I’ve already secured an alliance with someone far more influential.”
Sophia’s interest was immediately piqued. “Really? That’s fantastic! Who is it?”
Boris, however, didn’t elaborate. “It doesn’t matter who it is. Look, I’ve got things to handle, I need to go.”
With that, Boris ended the call abruptly. After disconnecting, he threw his umbrella to the side with a decisive motion. Choosing instead to face the pouring rain, Boris knelt outside Landon’s opulent villa.
A security guard, spotting Boris, quickly approached him. “Sir, may I help you with something? If you’re here to see Mr. Kensington, it’s best to schedule an appointment. If you insist on kneeling here and won’t leave, I’m afraid I’ll have to call the police.”
Boris appeared drained and vulnerable. “I’m in a dire situation and need to see Mr. Kensington right away,” Boris pleaded desperately. “Please, help me get a message to him. Tell him Boris from the Hayes family is here. I just need a moment of his time for an answer, and then I’ll leave immediately.”
With little option, the guard reluctantly used his walkie-talkie to contact a servant inside the villa. After a brief wait, the response came back, Landon’s voice crackled through the speaker dismissively, “If he likes kneeling so much, then let him be.”
Boris’ complexion turned ashen. He wanted to protest and ask if Landon didn’t care about the public’s opinion of a man kneeling outside his villa. But, he refrained from doing so, biting his lip and enduring the humiliation.
Boris reasoned that the fact that he wasn’t outright rejected meant he still had a chance. He knew he had to endure this treatment since cooperating with Landon was his only option left; otherwise, given what he had done, he would be as easily disposed of as an ant in Brent’s presence.
Meanwhile, after sorting out her things, Leila was overwhelmed by fatigue and longed for sleep. Just as she was about to drift off, a knock at her door jolted her awake. “Madam, may I enter? I’ve prepared some nutritional soup for you, which is excellent for the baby.”
The mere mention of “baby” from others startled Leila, sending a jolt of anxiety through her. She recalled the ordeal the primary doctor had caused her, claiming care for the baby while his actions suggested otherwise.
Opting to ignore the interruption, Leila pulled the blanket over her head and pretended to be asleep. Then, the tone at the door softened. “Leila, it’s Hazel speaking. Surely you remember me?”
Hazel? Leila finally reacted, and she hesitantly began to lower her blanket. Perhaps the exhaustion of the day had dulled her ability to even recognize Hazel’s voice. Leila quickly rose and opened the door.
Upon seeing Leila, Hazel’s eyes immediately filled with concern. “Leila, it looks like you’ve really lost a lot of weight.”
Indeed, Leila had noticeably lost weight. She had been making an effort to eat enough for her baby’s health, ensuring it received all the necessary nutrients. Yet, beyond fulfilling that need, she felt little desire to eat.
Contrary to other expectant mothers who might put on weight, Leila had become increasingly thin due to discomfort like morning sickness. At three months pregnant, her slight frame cloaked in loose clothing barely showed signs of pregnancy. Leila offered Hazel a comforting smile. Through a series of gestures, she conveyed that she was alright and there was no need for worry.
Hazel brought the nutritional soup and set it on the table, dabbing at her eyes to dry her tears quickly. “I get why you are frightened, but please, try this soup. I made it for you. I was so thrilled when I learned about your pregnancy.”
Leila was taken aback. Landon had shown no desire for the baby she was carrying. She had assumed he would keep her pregnancy under wraps, yet it seemed even the household staff was aware. Exhausted, she gave up trying to decipher Landon’s motives.
Comforted by the knowledge that Hazel had prepared the soup, Leila helped herself generously.
The warm broth brought a hint of color back to her cheeks.
Hazel seemed unaware of the strained dynamics between Leila and Landon. After a pause, she spoke. “You know, Mr. Kensington does care about you in his own way. Despite how tough he seems since you’ve returned, he’s quite concerned about your health. I saw him consulting with several doctors earlier.”
Bang! The sudden revelation made Leila’s hand jerk involuntarily, and the bowl she was holding crashed to the floor.
Leila stared at Hazel, her expression one of stark disbelief. Why would Landon have doctors visit? She doubted it was out of concern for the baby. Hadn’t he agreed to wait until the baby was born? Was he reconsidering his decision?
Leila’s alarmed reaction frightened Hazel, who expressed her concern. “Are you alright?”
Leila shook her head slightly, striving to regain her composure. She signaled to Hazel, conveying through gestures that she was merely exhausted and wished to rest. Hazel looked at Leila with worry but respected her wish for rest, quietly exiting the room.
With a tumult of thoughts swirling in her mind, Leila eventually drifted into a restless sleep, her intent to confront Landon for answers the following day.
Elsewhere, the scene was starkly different. Landon’s room was ablaze with light, filled with a sense of urgency. Several doctors gathered around, their expressions grave as they shook their heads, unable to alleviate Landon’s suffering.
Landon’s forehead was lined with bulging veins, his body rigid with tension. Typically a master at masking his feelings, Landon now lay overwhelmed by pain. Sweat drenched his skin, his brow deeply furrowed, and his face was an ashen shade of pale. In his agony, he gripped the bed sheet so tightly it was nearly torn to shreds.
Edgar watched anxiously from the sidelines. These were top-tier doctors, yet they seemed at a loss.
“Is there really nothing more you can do?” Edgar asked.
One of the doctors responded with a helpless shake of his head. “This neurotoxin is unlike anything we’ve encountered before. We need more advanced equipment to analyze it properly. I still recommend that Mr. Kensington consider traveling to Ysland, where the technology is significantly more advanced. Even if they can’t cure him immediately, they might at least be able to identify the toxin.”
“Useless!” Landon growled, the pain twisting his features. Leaving was not an option for him. Too many people were watching, and his departure could raise suspicions he couldn’t afford.
Edgar, looking both worried and helpless, signaled to one of the doctors. “As usual, please administer a sedative and some pain relief.”
The doctor hesitated, concern etching his features. “I understand the need for immediate relief, but we’re still in the dark about the nature of this toxin. Using sedatives and painkillers is only a temporary solution and might exacerbate the condition in the long term…”
“Just give it to me now!” Landon insisted, his teeth gritted so tightly that his lips turned white, his vulnerability more apparent than ever.