Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Didn’t you notice anything unusual about her?” Landon’s tone held a note of suspicion. “A drug that strong wouldn’t have any side effects.” Landon’s voice grew firmer as he continued, “Edgar, no matter what I do next, don’t try to stop me-and don’t inform Leila behind my back. I know you’ve been in touch with Lenny. What exactly did he tell you? Be honest.”
Edgar sighed deeply before answering. “He said there are definitely side effects. But unless she chooses to reveal them, no one will know.”
Landon’s eyes darkened as he absorbed the information. “If she doesn’t want to tell me, I won’t push her. Just make sure she isn’t troubled further.”
Meanwhile, in her room, Leila was suffering from a splitting headache. Curled up on the bed, her clothes were soaked with cold sweat. The door hadn’t been fully closed when Leila entered, and Sophie caught a glimpse inside.
“Mommy?” Sophie’s voice was soft as she gently pushed the door open, calling out to Leila. When Sophie stepped inside, she froze in shock at the sight of Leila trembling on the bed.
“Mommy! Mommy!” Sophie dropped her toy and rushed to Leila’s side, tears streaming down her face. “Mommy, what’s wrong? Are you in pain? Let me help you!” Leila managed to open her eyes, Sophie’s tear-streaked face filling her with guilt and sorrow.
Leila tried to lift her hand to wipe away Sophie’s tears but found herself too weak to manage it. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. I’m okay.” She forced out a smile. Leila was unaware that her smile only made her look more unwell.
Sophie, terrified, began to back away, her sobs intensifying. “Mommy, don’t worry! I’m going to get Landon! Everything will be okay!”
“Sophie Nixon!” Leila called out sharply, using Sophie’s full name in desperation. “Don’t go! I’ll be okay!” Her tone was harsh, stopping Sophie in her tracks.
Reluctantly, Sophie returned to her mother’s side. “But I hate seeing you in so much pain. Landon is amazing. He stayed with you when you were sick, and because of him, you got better. If I call him now, I’m sure you’ll feel much better.”
Leila sighed softly, brushing a hand through Sophie’s hair to comfort her. “I’m really okay, sweetie. I just need some rest. If you stay here and sleep with me, I won’t feel any pain.”
Sophie nodded, her expression serious as she slipped off her shoes and climbed into bed beside her mother. Leila leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on Sophie’s forehead. Holding her daughter, Leila felt the pain begin to subside, soothed by the warmth of their connection.
But Sophie, curious as always, couldn’t stay quiet for long. “Mommy, do you not like Landon?” she asked hesitantly.
Leila paused before responding, “Not really.”
“Then do you like him? You never treated other men who liked you the way you treated Landon.”
“I didn’t treat Landon any differently,” Leila replied.
“Different. You’re more patient with Landon,” Sophie commented, her voice innocent but observant. Leila was momentarily at a loss for words. After a brief silence, she asked with a sigh, “Did Landon tell you to say this to me?”
Sophie shook her head earnestly. “No, I saw it on TV. But if you don’t want to watch it, I won’t.”
Leila smiled softly and stroked Sophie’s head. “Let’s just get some sleep now,” she murmured.
What Leila didn’t realize was that Landon had been standing just outside the door, overhearing their entire conversation. He had been about to enter, but after a moment’s hesitation, he released the doorknob and stepped back. Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket, breaking the stillness of the moment.
Landon quickly moved away from the door and answered the call. A familiar female voice greeted him, dripping with arrogance.
“Landon, I bet you didn’t expect me to catch you in my web again. It’s time to make a choice. Either reveal your identity or get Leila out of Avalon, because if you don’t, she’ll never have peace here again.”
Joanna’s confidence was palpable, her tone laced with smugness. She had covered her tracks, disposing of Charlee’s body with meticulous care. The police would find nothing, leaving Leila as the prime suspect. Otherwise, Landon would have involved the police already.
Landon’s expression darkened, his eyes hardening with cold resolve.
Joanna’s tone shifted as Landon remained silent.
“Well, here’s another option. Publicly state that I had no involvement with what happened at the Martel family home, clear my name of any suspicion, and promise you won’t oppose me again. In return, I’ll drop all legal actions. What do you think, Landon?”
Landon’s response was tinged with disdain. “Joanna, you killed your own mother. Do you really think you’ll escape the consequences?”
Joanna laughed dismissively. “Consequences? The things you’ve done are worse than mine. After all, didn’t you end your mother’s life? That’s why you’re hiding in the shadows, living under a false name.”
“No, I am nothing like you,” Landon replied coolly. “You think you can leverage these baseless accusations to intimidate me?”
Joanna smirked as she declared, “I’ve laid out options for you. Choose wisely. My patience is thinning. You have three days.”
After the call, Edgar approached Landon quietly. “Sir, I’ve traced the origin of that post; it came from Sarah.”
Landon sneered. “If Joanna had involved someone else, perhaps I’d feel threatened. But Sarah? That’s unexpected.”
Edgar expressed his concern. “However, Mr. Kensington, the situation is quite serious. Various groups are covertly investigating us. If this continues, your true identity might be revealed.”
Landon massaged his temples, urging calm. “Let’s not rush our response.”
Meanwhile, Errol confronted Sarah under the harsh sunlight. As Sarah leisurely enjoyed her fruit, Errol’s sudden grab sent her crashing to the floor, the plate shattering and fruit scattering everywhere.
Sarah stood, visibly annoyed. “What do you think you’re doing, Errol?”
Errol’s expression was a mix of anger and contempt. “Out with it. Tell me what you’ve been up to. Don’t play dumb. I’m no fool.”
Sarah glanced down, her guilt apparent. “What could I have possibly done? I haven’t broken any laws.”
Errol’s grip tightened painfully on her wrist. “Sarah, that hurts,” she whimpered, adopting an innocent facade.
But Errol didn’t buy it; his grip intensified as if to crush her pretense along with her wrist.
“Have you forgotten the promise you made? Back then, you knelt before Leila and swore you’d never do anything to her again. And yet, here you are, repeating your mistakes. I’m telling you, if things go wrong this time, I won’t be able to shield you.”
Sarah’s face contorted with emotion. “Leila? Why do you speak of her in such a tender tone? Don’t forget I am your fianc?e. You should be exposing Leila’s faults. What’s wrong with the truth? Remember, you owe me more than you could ever repay.”
Slowly, Sarah rose to her feet, placing a hand on her abdomen, her smile twisted strangely. “Plus, I’m pregnant, and you’re the father.”
Errol’s complexion drained of color as he stammered. “How could that be possible?”
Sarah’s smile widened, her tone smug. “Your family is pressing for marriage and children. I am the perfect candidate for you. Treat me well, or I might tarnish Leila’s name to your parents. I might not have leverage now, but once I’m your legal wife, I won’t spare her.”
Errol clenched his jaw, his voice harsh. “What makes you think I’ll let you get your way?”
With a defiant smirk, Sarah challenged him, “Then try to stop me.”
She turned and strode away. Watching her leave, Errol slapped himself, overwhelmed with regret. It was his own fault; he shouldn’t have been so reckless.
Months earlier, on a whim, Errol had traveled on a cruise that led to unexpected trouble on high seas. Amidst illegal dealings, Errol found himself inadvertently involved, drugged, and photographed in compromising situations intended for blackmail.
After everything, they planned on killing him. Unexpectedly, Sarah was also on the cruise and intervened, saving Errol from further disgrace.
Under the influence and without clear recollection, Errol awoke to find Sarah beside him the next morning. Reporters on the cruise captured the scene, sparking a scandal. The traditional Payne family, led by Jacques Payne, Errol’s grandfather, demanded Errol make reparations by committing to Sarah.
Furthermore, the Payne family had Errol move past Leila. Jacques pressured Errol into proposing to Sarah, aligning with Sarah’s eagerness to marry. Previously, the Miller family couldn’t get the chance to interact with someone like Errol, but Jacques’s persistence forced Errol’s hand.
Reluctantly, Errol conceded his debt to Sarah, suppressing his resentment to consider a future where they could at least function as a couple devoid of love. Having seen through Sarah’s true colors, Errol wondered if she truly was the one who had saved him. Yet, investigating the truth behind that night seemed nearly impossible now. With Sarah pregnant, she wielded her position fearlessly.
After some contemplation, Errol reached for his phone, intending to call Leila. But as he was about to dial, he hesitated, overwhelmed with shame. He imagined Leila’s disappointment and felt he could not face her.
Defeated, Errol slumped to the floor and sighed deeply. Meanwhile, Landon decided to respond to Joanna by announcing a press conference where he would make his decision public.
Joanna reveled in her imaginary victory, confident that no matter Landon’s decision, it would pose no threat to her. She mused on Landon’s ineffectiveness, suspecting he might have been unsettled by the events surrounding Leila.
With a smug sip of red wine, Joanna remarked, “Falling in love only hampers one’s ruthlessness. It’s those without hearts who rise the highest.”.
As she was about to set down her glass, her phone rang. Pausing, Joanna considered before answering. Unexpectedly, it was Ethan on the line. Since their split, Ethan had left the country, remaining oblivious to the ongoing Martel family saga. His tall, straightforward manner pressed Joanna to finalize their divorce without delay.
Joanna’s facade of indifference cracked at the urgency in his voice, a wave of sorrow washing over her momentarily.
Joanna was frustrated. Was Ethan so eager to divorce her? Did he truly despise her that much? Displeased with Ethan’s eagerness for a divorce, Joanna lost her cool. She mocked Ethan over the phone.
“Ethan, you’re no man at all. You’re off having a good time, completely oblivious to Leila’s predicament. Do you even realize what she’s going through?”
After a brief pause, Ethan’s voice, tinged with concern, broke the silence. “What did you do to her?”
Joanna tried to smile, but her tears betrayed her first. “How can you claim nothing is going on between you and her? Why do you care so much about her then?”