Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Elma clung to Clayton, her face hidden against his neck. Leila didn’t connect Elma to the girl they’d met the day before.
Clayton smiled and launched into an explanation. “The scenery’s amazing here. My sister’s health isn’t great, so I brought her here, hoping the change of pace would do her good. I still have to head back to take care of the Morgan family business every month, though. This little one is my sister’s adopted daughter. She lost her own child a few years ago, and it broke her heart. Adopting this little girl has helped her heal.”
“I see,” Leila replied, her voice heavy with emotion.
Memories flooded back, and a wave of guilt washed over Leila. “If it wasn’t for me, your sister wouldn’t have lost her baby. I feel awful about it. If there’s anything I can do, please, don’t hesitate to ask,” she said, her voice thick with regret.
Clayton shook his head vehemently. “No, Leila, it’s not your fault at all. I made my own choices, and I have to live with the consequences. Let’s not dwell on what’s done.”
Leila nodded slowly, her gaze falling on Elma’s ear. Elma’s skin was smooth and soft, but a gruesome sight marred her delicate ear.
A deep, jagged split ran across it, traces of blood still visible. It didn’t look like an accident. It looked like someone had deliberately hurt her.
Leila shook her head, trying to dismiss the disturbing thought. She told herself that she must be imagining things. Clayton and Cara must adore the little girl dearly. It must be a misunderstanding.
Just then, the elevator reached Clayton’s floor. He gave Leila a warm smile and hurried out with Elma in his arms. Elma shifted in Clayton’s arms, her face turning toward Leila.
Leila’s breath hitched in her throat. She stared at Clayton’s back, her mind reeling. Had she really seen what she thought she saw? But then she shook her head, pushing the doubts aside..
Calvin’s voice broke through Leila’s thoughts. “Mommy, that little girl looks just like the one we saw yesterday! That means she’s part of his family,” he said, his eyes wide.
Leila blinked, shaking off her initial shock. A small frown creased her brow. “You think so too?”
Sophie nodded firmly. “Absolutely. And remember, Calvin’s memory is like a steel trap. He couldn’t have both been mistaken.”
“That’s one hell of a coincidence,” Leila sighed, a wave of conflicting emotions washing over her. “But she can’t be your little sister. Your sister would be around Calvin’s age by now. That little girl was barely three.” The air in the car grew thick with unspoken thoughts.
Sophie broke the tension. “Mom, even though that little girl was a bit of a handful yesterday, she didn’t seem well. Since you and Clayton go way back, why don’t we swing by and see how she’s doing?”
Leila nodded. It was a good idea. Elma might have acted out, but she was just a kid. Kids made mistakes. As long as she could learn from them, she was still a good kid at heart. But with Calvin’s limp, it wouldn’t be easy for him to tag along.
Leila told Calvin to stay put in the car.
Calvin gave them an obedient wave goodbye.
After some inquiries, Leila and Sophie located Elma’s room.
Clayton was the only one inside.
Cara was nowhere to be seen, which struck Leila as odd, but she decided not to pry. She entered with Sophie, greeting Clayton with a warm smile.
“Clayton, we came to see how the little one is doing. Is she okay?” Elma was lying in bed, hooked up to an IV, her sweet little face flushed with fever.
Elma squinted at the ceiling, giving them a weak glance before turning her head away.
Even though Sophie was still annoyed by Elma’s behavior the day before, seeing Elma sick like this softened her heart. She walked over and gently tucked the blanket around Elma.
“It’s important to keep her warm, even with a fever. Sweating it out will help her get better.”
Clayton was initially on edge when they showed up unexpectedly, but Leila seemed relaxed and didn’t appear to be here to grill him about Elma, so he calmed down a bit. “It’s just a cold. Kids get sick all the time.”
Clayton beckoned to Sophie. “Sophie, come here.” Sophie ran over, a wide smile lighting up her face as she looked at Clayton.
Clayton couldn’t help but comment, “She’s gotten so big! She’s starting to look more and more like you.”
Leila smiled. “She sure does. I sometimes worry Sophie might end up too tall. If she grows too quickly now, she might not reach her full potential height later on.” Sophie tilted her chin up proudly. “Being tall is awesome! It’ll help me stand out in show business.”
Clayton looked at Sophie in surprise and then turned his gaze to Leila, a question in his eyes.
Leila let out a chuckle. “It’s great that she has her own ambitions. As long as she’s happy, I’ll be there to support her dreams.”
Clayton’s gaze drifted involuntarily toward Elma on the bed.
Elma’s back was turned to them, obscuring her expression. However, a subtle tremor shook her small frame.
A shadow passed over Clayton’s eyes, and his smile turned strained. “That’s wonderful. It’s crucial for children to be happy,” he replied, a hint of bitterness in his tone.
Leila instinctively reached out to feel Elma’s forehead.
Elma tried to pull away, but Leila’s touch was too quick. The warmth of Leila’s hand made Elma freeze in place.
As Leila’s hand withdrew, Elma felt a pang of loss. The touch had been surprisingly comforting, like a fleeting moment of sweetness.
“Oh dear, she’s sweating!” Leila exclaimed. “We need to change her clothes before she catches a chill. Where’s her mother?”
A wave of annoyance washed over Clayton as he thought of Cara’s preoccupation with that man. “Her… Her mother is busy and won’t be able to make it,” he sighed.
Leila frowned. “I can change her,” she said.
Clayton hesitated for a second and then moved out of Leila’s way.
Getting a nurse wouldn’t help. Elma was super cautious and freaked out easily around strangers.
But Elma hadn’t flinched or anything when Leila touched her. Maybe she was not so repulsive to Leila. A thoughtful look crossed Clayton’s face as something struck him.
Yesterday, Elma was quite grumpy, snapping at everyone around her. Today, feeling under the weather, she was unexpectedly docile and compliant. Leila gently wiped Elma down with a fresh handkerchief and then dressed her in cozy attire.
There had been a stain on the clothing provided by the caregiving staff, but Elma hadn’t been too bothered by it.
However, Leila reacted strongly, seizing the clothes and scolding the caregiver sharply, “These are not nearly clean enough. Her skin is delicate, and any dirt could trigger some discomfort for her. What if she develops a skin infection? Would you be responsible then?”
The caregiver hurriedly fetched a new set of clothes. Leila scrutinized them thoroughly before dressing Elma again.
All the while, Elma watched Leila’s earnest expression intently.
Now clean and dry, Elma settled comfortably into the bed, finding solace in the hospital room for the first time. She felt so relaxed that she almost drifted off to sleep.
Elma tentatively reached out to Leila, longing for her soothing touch. But noticing Sophie right next to Leila, she withdrew her hand. A small sniffle escaped her. Leila was someone else’s mother, not hers.
Clayton gave an awkward chuckle, the sound somewhat forced. “Thank you so much. I really didn’t expect you to have such a way with kids.”
Leila smoothed Sophie’s hair gently as she spoke. “Children can be delicate and prone to illness. It takes a lot of patience from the parents. She’s young and struggles to convey her feelings. You’ll probably have to keep a closer eye on her.”
Leila then peered around, her gaze searching for Cara at the doorway, but to no avail. She exhaled, a hint of resignation in her voice. “Her mother must really be swamped with work.”
Clayton, unsure of how to respond, just nodded stiffly.
Leila added with a nod, “I get it. It’s tough being a single mom. Thankfully, she has you to lend a hand. Well, I’ll leave you to it then. Make sure she gets some good rest.” Taking Sophie’s hand, Leila led her toward the door. As they neared the door, a soft voice halted them. “Madam.”
The voice was so faint that Leila almost dismissed it as her imagination.
Leila turned, finding Elma looking at her expectantly. “What’s the matter?” Leila inquired, her expression one of confusion.
Elma hid her face in her blanket, only her clear, bright eyes peeping out. They shimmered with moisture, like those of a forlorn little creature, tugging at Leila’s heartstrings. Softly, she murmured, “Thank you.” Then, Elma quickly rolled over.
Leila chuckled. Elma was arrogant and spoiled perhaps, but with a good heart. She found herself wondering if Chloe would share those traits if she were here.
The thought of Chloe made Leila’s heart sink a bit.
Noticing Leila’s shift in mood, Sophie tugged at Leila’s hand. “Mom, I think my brother’s been waiting long enough. We should go.”
Leila agreed with a nod and gently shut the ward door behind them as they left.
As their footsteps faded, Clayton’s worry deepened, and he felt a headache coming on. He sat beside Elma’s bed, his voice soft.