Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Enough!” Ernesto said, clearly unhappy. His typically dull eyes sharpened for a moment. He paused to think it over.
“Leila has some points. A man with ill intentions would find a way. From my observations, White is not the impulsive type. He had been claiming his innocence. Anna, did you actually notice any odd behavior from White last night?”
Ernesto’s intense look focused on Anna.
Anna’s thoughts were jumbled. She took a moment to recall that instance and spoke. “I did. I was in the bath at that time. He seemed to be attempting to take photographs. Had I not spotted a shadow moving, he might have managed it.”
Ernesto’s expression turned scornful as he replied, “I see. It was orchestrated then. If he acquired any compromising photos, he could leverage them against us.”
Anna, previously unaware of the gravity of the situation, looked at Griffin, her face turning a shade paler.
Ernesto’s reputation for promiscuity was well known. After his first wife’s death, he had been involved with many women. He fathered numerous children, whom he raised without much involvement. If he disapproved of any, he simply cut them off, leaving them to their own devices.
Many of Ernesto’s children had been neglected. Despite his wealth, some of his children lived in the slums. Only the resilient and talented ones remained by his side. As a result, there were inevitable conflicts among his offspring.
Under such circumstances, Anna had left with Mr. Lando years ago. Now, with Mr. Lando gone and unable to depend on Landon, Anna realized Ernesto had reasons for demanding her back. She was somewhat of use to him.
Anna suspected Griffin might have harbored resentment toward her for ages, possibly resorting to such an underhanded tactic against her.
With this thought in mind, Anna’s stare at Griffin was frosty. She blamed Ernesto for this situation as well.
Known for his cunning and malevolent nature, Griffin had been wrongly accused of being the mastermind for the first time. Struggling to find the right words to defend himself, he longed to lash out at White violently. Yet, he restrained himself from acting.
“Dad, Anna,” Griffin said through clenched teeth as he knelt before them.
“True, I was duped and inadvertently allowed a despicable man like White. However, I didn’t order him to do such a thing, I swear. Please give me some time to investigate. I’ll surely uncover the truth and make things right.”
Ernesto reflected on the timing, as the critical banquet was on the horizon. It was pivotal for maintaining relationships with his clients and striking new deals. The future success of his business hinged on how well the banquet unfolded.
“Fine,” Ernesto responded with a slight nod, his dissatisfaction lingering. “I hope such an incident doesn’t recur.”
Ernesto then gestured for Anna to wheel him away.
Griffin exhaled in relief but quickly fixed a venomous gaze on Leila. He advanced rapidly and seized her wrist. “Do you feel victorious now? Thinking you’ve undermined one of my main allies?”
Leila chuckled. “Griffin, what are you implying? I merely wanted to caution you against blind trust. I thought you were wiser. Yet, it seemed you were misled,” she retorted.
Griffin snorted and released her with a frosty look. “Once your children are born, your fortunate days will diminish!” he sneered.
Leila maintained a composed facade, though her hands quivered subtly. She wasn’t afraid, but relieved. At least for now, she had managed to keep Landon alive.
Leila held firm in her trust for Landon. He would devise a strategy to overcome the challenges. That night, Leila approached the dungeon.
Even before entering, the foul odor assaulted her senses, with the scent of blood prevailing.
From within, agonized wails reached Leila, their terror magnified by the darkness.
Saniya, who had led Leila to the entrance, said impatiently, “Hurry up. If we’re caught, it’ll be problematic.”
Leila, with a smirk, responded, “Now that Ernesto suspects Griffin, Griffin’s situation might be worse than yours. What’s there to fear?”
Standing tall, Saniya replied, “Even so, we should tread carefully. Moreover, I don’t see why you’d want to witness White in such a state, especially while you’re pregnant.”
Saniya was skeptical.
Leila’s expression hardened as she clenched her teeth, seemingly resenting White. “White is a vile man. He exploited his role to harass me under the guise of massages. Now that he’s suffering, I’m somewhat thrilled.”
Saniya, with a sense of dread, murmured, “No surprise there, given the whispers of him lurking around your home at night. Truly, Griffin’s judgment leaves much to be desired.”
Suppressing her emotions, Leila touched the chilly door and said, “Give me five minutes.”
As the door swung open, the odors mixed into a more potent stench, the unmistakable smell of death.
Having been confined here by Griffin for several days before, Saniya was hit by a wave of traumatic memories and quickly retreated, declaring, “Hurry up. I won’t go inside.”
Leila paused momentarily before stepping through and securing the iron door behind her. The air was heavy with a repugnant smell.
Saddened rather than repulsed, Leila recognized it as the smell of death, a sign that many had perished here. She feared Landon might be next.
As Leila ventured further, her hands trembled as she retrieved hidden anti-inflammatories and painkillers, unsure if they could aid Landon.
The room lay in near-total darkness, but Leila could make out a figure bound in the center, hands tied, half-submerged in icy water, his head drooping.
Uncertain of his condition, Leila wondered whether he was still alive.
Leila neared the water’s edge, her voice quivering as she whispered, “Landon?”
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Landon raised his head, his eyes gleaming like black obsidian yet showing signs of weakness.
Upon spotting Leila, agitation swept over Landon, prompting him to shift, causing the chains to rattle. “Why are you here? This place isn’t for you. Leave now. Trust me. Go back quickly.”
Leila stood silent, her tears cascading silently. She held back louder cries, wary that those outside might overhear. Her body shook as she fought to stifle her sobs.
Landon’s panic soon morphed into concern. “Leila, please don’t weep. The blame is mine. I should’ve spoken to you earlier, sparing you this worry. Please, hold back your tears. My heart aches.”
Leila reached out to touch Landon’s face, noticing part of his mask beginning to peel off. Yet, in the dim light and with his head bowed, it was hardly visible.
“Landon, I will save you,” Leila declared resolutely. “I am capable of rescuing you.”
Landon chuckled, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor, his obsidian-like eyes betraying his inner turmoil. Even in his precarious state, Landon asked Leila earnestly, “If I were on the brink of death, would you be honest with me? Do you still harbor feelings for me? I realize you see me primarily as the father of your children, the man you once intended to marry again. But tell me, do you still love me, Leila?”
Leila, slightly amused, replied, “You’re asking these questions at this point?”
Landon’s tone carried a mix of anxiety and urgency as he struggled to speak, continuing his thought. “Hearing the truth from you would let me be content. I don’t wish to leave this world without that.”
Feeling a pang of sadness, Leila withdrew some medicine from her pockets, her smile tinged with bitterness. “What else would I be here if not for caring about you?”
Landon responded with a rare, genuine smile, his eyes sparkling. “Don’t worry. I’ll manage.”
Leila assisted Landon with the medication. She understood the medicine wasn’t enough to cure him but clung to the hope that it might extend his life a bit longer, buying her time to carry out her plan for their ultimate escape.
Landon cautioned Leila with several critical advisories, emphasizing that she should keep her distance from Anna, whom he found particularly unsettling now that he knew Anna was Ernesto’s daughter.
In Landon’s view, Anna posed a greater threat than Griffin. Leila took his concerns seriously, recalling how Sophie nearly died because of Anna. “I understand,” Leila nodded.
At that moment, noises erupted outside.
Saniya, aiming to warn Leila, intentionally raised her voice. “Miss Perry, what brings you here?”
Saniya wasn’t looking out for Leila. She just didn’t want Leila to act recklessly, potentially implicating her.
As Anna approached with a subtle smile, she struck.
Saniya was stunned as Anna struck her forcefully. Clutching her face, Saniya was bewildered by the sudden attack. Earlier today, Anna seemed nice to her, but now, without hesitation, Anna hit her.
“Move aside,” Anna commanded, her eyes alight with an unsettling excitement.
Saniya immediately sensed a change in Anna.
Anna’s hair was unkempt, and she wore a white nightgown. Her usually gentle features now seemed harsh and menacing, a stark contrast to her daytime demeanor.
Saniya recoiled and quietly moved out of the way. As Anna hummed a tune, she pushed the door open, peering into the shadows for Leila.