Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
After a long silence, she managed to whisper, “What happened?”
“It was Anna,” Edgar replied through clenched teeth, his own emotion palpable.
By now, Leila had regained her composure.
She approached Landon’s bedside and adjusted his covers. “Continue,” she urged Edgar.
Edgar, his voice shaky, explained, “Mr. Kensington was investigating the group involved with Miss Webster’s abduction and the antagonism toward the Nixon family. He did it covertly with only a few people. Later, he discovered Anna’s connection to this group. Worse, Anna seemed to have been abducted by them.
Anna’s brother once saved Mr. Kensington’ life, compelling him not to remain passive. Plus, Mr. Kensington was committed to assisting you with locating Miss Webster.
Therefore, he led a team to rescue Anna, but they failed and were hurt by individuals armed with firearms.”
Leila, puzzled, inquired, “Firearms?”
Edgar confirmed. “They were foreign militants, not from our country.”
Leila was taken aback, as nowadays, encounters with firearms were rare, even in the underworld of Yoeloth. Facing ruthless adversaries armed with firearms, the fact that Landon survived and returned was considered fortunate enough.
Emotion thickened Edgar’s voice. “Madam, I share this out of concern for Mr. Kensington’ safety.
Before passing out, he asked me not to tell you about this. He simply chose to keep it from you to spare you worry. Rest assured, nothing inappropriate occurred with Anna.”
Leila glanced at the unconscious Landon and sighed softly. “I get it. Since this incident has happened, he no longer owes Anna anything.”
Edgar nodded repeatedly. “Exactly. Before passing out, Mr. Kensington said he could now focus solely on you, without distractions.”
Leila’s emotions surged, yet she managed to ask, “What have the doctors said about Landon’s condition?”
Edgar faltered, his hesitation speaking volumes about the gravity of the situation.
Landon’s prognosis suggested he might be facing a vegetative state.
Despite her internal conflict, Leila resigned herself to the situation. She was resolved to undertake a risky endeavor on behalf of Ewing.
Leila took a deep breath and called Edgar outside. She was aware that people in comas might hear surrounding sounds, and she aimed to keep Landon from any further stress.
Leila relayed Saniya’s demands precisely to Edgar.
Unsurprisingly, Edgar was livid and proposed a confrontation with Saniya immediately. “This is preposterous! She’s exploiting our desperation to blackmail us. We had no intention of harming her. The nerve of her!”
Leila gave a soft laugh. “It’s because Saniya has fooled us all. She’s not the vulnerable figure she portrays. Always acting-but that doesn’t matter now. You must collaborate with me. You have no other option.”
Edgar appeared distressed. “Madam, please reconsider. Both your daughter and Mr. Kensington need your presence. What would we do if something were to happen to you?” Sophie felt uneasy, aware of the risks she was taking.
“I understand the stakes. Should anything happen to me, your priority is to safeguard Landon and Sophie. You must ensure Sophie’s safety at all costs. You know me. Even if you ground me, I’ll find a way out. I’m resolute. Surely, you wouldn’t want an irate Landon when he awakens? If I’m harmed, delay informing Landon or Sophie. Wait until Landon’s stronger. Believe me, I’ll manage. I’m left with no alternative.”
Edgar, noting Leila’s resolve, inhaled deeply and nodded. “Understood.”
At that moment, a doctor approached, adjusting his glasses solemnly. “Who here is related to the patient?”
Leila responded softly, “I am.”
The doctor let out a regretful sigh. “The patient is nearly in a vegetative state. His awakening is now a matter of fate. There’s little we can do. He has sustained a head injury. The fact that he’s alive is already a miracle.”
Edgar, agitated, stepped forward. “What do you mean? You didn’t say this yesterday. You said you needed to monitor Mr. Kensington’ condition for a few days to see if he would wake up. How can you now claim he is in a vegetative state? We should consider transferring him to a better hospital!”
Leila, disheartened but forcing a calm facade, restrained Edgar as he nearly broke down. “Please calm down, Edgar. The medical staff here is top-notch. Moving Landon could worsen his condition. You have to believe he will wake up. Landon has always been fortunate. And so have I.”
Edgar calmed somewhat and gazed at the unconscious Landon, then at the resolute Leila, overwhelmed by sadness.
After everything Landon and Leila had endured, they had finally found their way back to each other. It hadn’t been long since their reunion.
Landon had been organizing their marriage certificate and was planning their wedding for the next month. He had meticulously prepared everything. Yet, destiny had other plans.
Time passed, and it was nearly time to negotiate with Saniya. The door to the dimly lit room creaked open, letting in a stream of sunlight that made Saniya squint.
Saniya looked up as Leila entered the room, bathed in light, and Saniya’s face twisted into a malevolent grin. She gestured subtly with her hands, signaling Leila to release her.
Leila’s gaze showed reluctance, but she had no choice.
As Saniya twisted her reddened wrists, a triumphant smile played on her lips. “What now, Leila? Your expression is immensely satisfying to me.
Do you always believe everything is under your control? You thought you could dictate your destiny and that of others, didn’t you? How absurd is that?”
Leila faced Saniya without any emotion. Despite the mockery, her eyes remained calm, devoid of anger.
“Everyone is the master of their own fate. What made you think I aimed to govern yours? Your current situation stems from your own decisions, not the influence of others.”
Saniya retorted, her anger palpable, “Had you not coerced me, would I have chosen this path?”
Leila’s sneer only further enraged Saniya, who stepped closer and pressed a chilling dagger against Leila’s neck. “Don’t gloat too much. Pray that your allies save you before we depart on that plane.”
Saniya’s hand then carefully rested on Leila’s abdomen, a gesture that sent a sharp pang through Leila’s heart.
However, Leila quickly regained her composure. Throughout the show, she had concealed any hint of her pregnancy. It was crucial that no one else discovered her condition.
“Walk forward!” Saniya hissed.
The cold steel of the dagger pressed against Leila’s skin, a chilling reminder of Saniya’s deadly intent.
Even without drawing blood, the dagger’s proximity sent shivers down Leila’s spine, a silent promise of pain. Each step felt like an eternity, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm in her chest.
The scene before the onlookers was one of shock and disbelief. No one had anticipated such a dramatic turn of events.
A collective paralysis gripped the crowd, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and confusion.
“Let her be,” Leila stated, her voice strained but resolute. The bodyguards, momentarily stunned, finally parted, creating a path for the two women.
Using Leila as a human shield, Saniya navigated her way toward the Kensington family’s private airstrip with unsettling ease.
As the landscape blurred past the car window, Saniya’s demeanor hardened. She fixed Leila with a suspicious glare.
“Something’s not right, Leila. This is all too easy.”
Leila’s eyelashes trembled, but her composure remained intact.
Her voice, though slightly constricted, conveyed a sense of control. “Of course it’s easy. Landon’s on his deathbed. I’m the only one who matters now. They wouldn’t dare harm you. They need me.”
Saniya’s lips curled into a cruel smirk at the news of Landon’s precarious condition. “So much for your powerful protector. It looks like he’s not so invincible after all. Tell me, Leila, does this mean Stan still has a shot at seizing control of the Kensington family?”
Leila gave Saniya a sarcastic smile. “He’s already at the bottom of the ocean. How could he possibly come back?”
Saniya’s face twisted in anger. “You’re so cruel! You have no heart!” she hissed, but then she took a deep breath, calming herself. “Stan doesn’t matter. I have other ways to get what I want.”
Leila glanced sideways at Saniya. Saniya was nothing like the weak and innocent girl she’d pretended to be a few days ago. Maybe her earlier behavior had all been an act. What was Saniya really after?
When they got out of the car, Edgar and his men immediately formed a protective circle around them.
Edgar eyed Saniya suspiciously, worried she might try something dangerous. “Miss Mason, we’ve kept our end of the bargain and brought you to the airport. You’re almost on the plane. You’re free to leave. It’s time to let Miss Nixon go.”
Saniya sneered. “Hold your horses. I’m not on the plane yet, am I?”
Leila frowned, her eyes hardening. “Saniya, what are you planning? If you break the agreement and I get hurt, you’re not going anywhere.”