Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Families once allied with Stan had seen their influence wane.
Now, the most influential families in Burmoos were the Nixons, Kensington, Simpsons, and Morgans.
Returning home late from an interview, Leila was pleasantly surprised to find Sophie and Calvin still up and lively.
Sophie, aged twelve, had blossomed into a young beauty, occasionally mirroring the poise and authority of both Leila and Landon.
Calvin resembled Landon in every way.
Whenever Leila glanced at Calvin, she often saw echoes of Landon’s childhood.
“Mommy,” Sophie called out, setting her belongings aside and rushing over. “Calvin is on his best behavior today, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
Calvin trailed behind her, eager for a hug.
Leila crouched down and gently patted their heads. Though she managed a smile, her fatigue was evident. “You two have some fun together. I need to get some rest. I’ve got a business trip tomorrow, so be good,” she said gently.
Planting a kiss on Sophie’s cheek, Leila said, “Thank you for looking after your little brother while I’m away.”
Sophie’s brow furrowed, her expression turning somber.
“Mommy, you’re off to search for my daddy and little sister again, aren’t you? But you know, some people give you false leads just to get close to you. You haven’t taken a break in a month. You really should take it easy.”
Sophie’s mature tone made her seem beyond her years. Leila laughed softly, but her laughter soon turned to a sigh of resignation.
“I’m aware that some are tricking me, but I have to be there and search for myself. Maybe this time I’ll find them.”
Sophie paused before declaring resolutely, “Then I’ll come along with you.”
Calvin, somewhat puzzled, chirped innocently, “I want to tag along!”
Leila, rubbing her temples with a sigh, replied, “No, you two stay here. Travel is tiring, and we can’t predict the risks. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be alright.”
Rising from her chair, Leila planned to ask Trent to watch over the children.
During her previous trip to find Landon and Chloe, Leila had been away for a week.
Unexpectedly, Sophie showed up with Calvin on the third day, which had startled Leila.
The two kids were clever, especially Calvin, who was quite precocious.
Most of their ideas came from Calvin’s mind, and Sophie executed them with precision. Together, they were quite the dynamic duo. Thankfully, they knew when to pull back and hadn’t stirred up serious trouble. They simply enjoyed tagging along with Leila.
Ascending the stairs, Leila sighed deeply, a wave of dizziness washing over her.
Leila’s body gave out, collapsing without control. Waves of searing pain surged through her, overwhelming her senses.
Sophie’s frantic voice echoed in Leila’s ears, muffled by the agony.
When Leila came to her senses, she found herself in a hospital bed. The first thing she saw was Sophie’s face, streaked with tears, flushed with worry.
Next to Sophie, Calvin looked just as distraught, his eyes swollen from crying. Despite it, he stayed strong, soothing Sophie with a gentle pat on her back while handing her tissues.
As Leila stirred, Sophie’s tears stopped, her gaze a mix of relief and unspoken blame.
“Mommy, I’ve told you, you need to take care of yourself. Do you even realize how scared I was?” Sophie’s voice trembled with a mix of frustration and concern.
Leila felt a wave of guilt wash over her. She had known for a while that her body wasn’t right, but her days had been so hectic that there was no room to slow down.
Plus, whenever she tried to rest, her mind would spiral back to Landon and Chloe. Their uncertain fate gnawed at her, filling her with dread.
Leila was painfully aware that her mental state was unraveling, yet the thought of seeing a doctor terrified her. There were just too many responsibilities. If something happened to her, who would be there for her children?
Sophie seemed to catch the worry in Leila’s eyes and gently adjusted her blanket. “Mommy, the thing I fear most is seeing you like this.
If you don’t look after yourself, how can you find my dad and Chloe?” Sophie paused, her voice cracking as she continued, “Don’t worry about us. I’ll take care of Calvin, and you can put the company aside for now. All I want is for you to get better.”
Calvin joined them, taking Leila’s hand. “Mommy, you scared us so much. Sophie stayed with you all night, and I… I’ve been really sad too. Please, just listen to the doctor and rest.”
The weight of their words pressed down on Leila. She had been so consumed by her own struggles that she hadn’t realized how deeply her children were worrying about her.
Leila sighed, finally nodding. “Alright, I’ll rest for a while,” she said softly.
Sophie’s face lit up with relief, her smile returning for the first time in days.
Not long after, the doctor arrived to assess Leila’s condition.
The diagnosis was clear: overwork, poor nutrition, and an aggravated stomach. The prescription was simple: rest, relaxation, and time to recover.
Tentatively, Leila brought up her emotional struggles. Taking Leila’s concerns seriously, the doctor arranged for a psychologist to evaluate her.
The verdict was difficult to hear. The psychologist explained that Leila needed to embrace the possibility that Landon and Chloe might never come back.
It was a harsh truth, one she had been avoiding, but it was time to confront it. Her mental health hinged on accepting this uncertainty, though the hope of their return still lingered.
No one could say when or if Landon and Chloe would return. That night, Leila lay awake, her thoughts tangled in the darkness.
She came to a quiet realization that the most important thing now was to live fully in the present. If she continued the way she had been, it would only cause more worry for the people around her.
After a week of rest in the hospital, Leila decided to take her children on a much-needed vacation.
When Sophie heard the news, she couldn’t believe it. “Mommy, you’re not planning to make us have fun elsewhere while you discreetly keep working, are you?” she asked suspiciously.
Leila felt a flicker of frustration. “Don’t you trust me at all?”
Both Sophie and Calvin shook their heads in unison.
To prove her point, Leila packed only clothes into her suitcase in front of them, leaving behind all work-related gadgets. She even handed her phone over to Sophie.
“I’ve arranged for others to handle both the company and household matters. If anyone calls me about work, hang up immediately.”
Sophie’s eyes sparkled as she accepted the responsibility. “I’ll take care of it!”
Leila decided not to search for Landon and Chloe this time, focusing on spending quality time with her children.
While planning, Leila discovered their chosen destination had the highest happiness rating for family trips.
The place promised breathtaking beaches, an endless sea, and a brilliant blue sky-everything that could lift their spirits and bring some much-needed peace.
The children’s moods lifted almost immediately, and the moment they arrived, they were already itching to dive into the water. Having taken swimming lessons since they were young, they were confident in the water.
With lifeguards keeping watch and strict rules about staying away from deeper areas, Leila felt at ease letting Calvin and Sophie enjoy themselves. She busied herself setting up a lounge chair on the beach, hoping to relax.
But just as Leila settled in, a commotion nearby caught her attention. Curiosity got the best of her, and she walked toward the crowd. To her surprise, they were gathered around Sophie and Calvin.
Leila’s heart raced for a moment, but the kids were unharmed, standing there calmly.
Instead, lying on the sand between them was a young girl, her body soaked, her fate uncertain.
The sight of the girl sent a jolt through Leila. Something about the girl struck her with a sense of familiarity.
Sophie and Calvin remained composed.
Calvin calmly instructed Sophie in performing first aid, and she followed his guidance with precision. Amid the chaos, their steady composure stood out, drawing the attention of nearby adults.