Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Elma, did you meet Leila that day?”
Elma simply nodded and murmured, “I wasn’t too fond of her and her children. So, I didn’t mention it. It wasn’t intentional.”
Her stubbornness somehow brought a smile to Clayton’s face. He stroked her head and sighed silently to himself. Meanwhile, Calvin had been waiting so long that he was starting to nod off. He told the driver he needed to step out to stretch his legs.
The driver looked concerned and cautioned him, “But your foot…”
“It’s okay. I just need a bit of fresh air.”
Calvin was scanning for Leila and Sophie at the hospital entrance when suddenly he was jostled from behind by someone.
While the impact was minor, Calvin’s already injured foot failed to support him, and he collapsed, his palms and knees scraping against the rough pavement with a sharp yelp.
The person responsible merely cast a quick, indifferent glance in his direction before hurrying off in clicking high heels.
A chill of anger washed over Calvin’s expression. Struggling to his feet, he called out, “Excuse me, you’ve just caused me to fall. An apology would be appropriate.” His clear, assertive voice caught the attention of passersby.
Cara, the woman in question, turned around with a scowl, her impatience evident. “You want me to apologize? You were blocking the path! It’s quite presumptuous to accuse me of such a thing!”
Calvin responded with an icy tone, “Apologize!”
Annoyance flared in Cara. Something about Calvin struck her as familiar. He reminded her of a man and a woman, and because of this, his presence irked her. Now, here he was, confronting her. Did he really think she was someone to be trifled with?
Cara clutched Calvin’s arm and sneered, “Alright, I’ll apologize. But you’re coming with me.”
A flicker of fear crossed Calvin’s eyes. He writhed, yelling, “Release me! You’re acting like a kidnapper!”
In the midst of his struggle, Cara released him with a spiteful grin.
Thrown off balance by the sudden freedom, Calvin stumbled backward and fell, his previous ankle sprain now compounded by a fresh injury.
Typically composed and stoic, Calvin couldn’t hold back his tears from the sharp sting of pain.
Cara looked on, devoid of sympathy, her satisfaction evident as she observed his agonized expression. She advanced toward him, heels clicking menacingly on the ground, and towered over him. “Listen, kid, learn this lesson well. Not everyone tolerates insolence. Remember who I am.”
Cara paused, her gaze piercing. “I’m not someone you want to cross. Got it? If not, perhaps your parents would care to challenge me. Let’s see if they have the courage.”
As Calvin lay there alone, without any protection, Cara surmised he came from a humble background.
Even while her family’s influence was largely overseas, Cara was fully aware the Morgan family had as much power and influence as the Kensington and the Nixon families in this country.
Cara had plenty of reasons to act superior.
Some had the intention of helping Calvin, but upon recognizing Cara, they immediately fell silent. They didn’t dare cross her.
Ignoring his discomfort, Calvin said firmly, “You owe me an apology.”
Cara let out a derisive laugh. “You just don’t know when to give up, do you?”
She lifted her foot, aiming for Calvin’s injured ankle. Suddenly, a man yelled, “What are you doing?” Rushing forward, he lifted Calvin from the ground.
Cara, caught off guard, displayed a tangled look of irritation and embarrassment. “I thought you’d left for good. Seems like you still care about our daughter.”
The man, clearly upset, disregarded Cara and turned to Calvin with concern. “Are you hurt? Is it still painful?”
Calvin gazed at the man, feeling a comforting familiarity. As Calvin remained silent, Landon’s anxiety spiked. He fixed a chilling stare on Cara and questioned, “What have you done to him?”
Cara stamped her foot, bit her lip, and protested. “I did nothing wrong. He was causing trouble, and I merely set him straight with a few words.”
Calvin, coming back to reality and understanding the dynamics at play, hurriedly said, “Sir, I’m alright.”
Landon paused, concern etching his face. “Are you sure you’re alright?” he asked, his voice laced with worry.
“I’m good. You can put me down now,” Calvin said. Recognizing Calvin’s insistence, Landon carefully lowered him to the ground.
Once on his feet, Calvin cleared his throat with a touch of theatricality.
“Miss, my mom’s on her way here. You wouldn’t want to get in trouble over a little bump, would you?” Calvin said to Cara, his tone surprisingly mature for his age. “So, I’d appreciate a sincere apology. After all, you did bump into me first.”
Landon’s eyes narrowed as he turned to Cara. “Did you hear that?” he asked, his voice firm.
Cara bristled. “Why are you taking his side?” she retorted, feeling unjustly accused.
Landon’s voice held a subtle threat. “Apologize to him, or I’m out of here. And if you don’t, I’ll make sure to visit my daughter whenever you’re not around. Every time you leave, I’ll show up.”
Cara’s face paled slightly. She knew Landon was capable of carrying out his threat.
With a reluctant sigh, Cara stepped forward and bowed her head slightly to Calvin. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “I wasn’t paying attention and bumped into you. Please forgive me.”
Calvin’s stern expression softened. “Just remember not every kid is a pushover.”
With that, Calvin turned and limped off.
Landon’s eyes followed Calvin’s retreating figure, a flicker of admiration in his gaze. He found himself intrigued by the young boy. Despite his tender years, Calvin spoke with remarkable logic and assertiveness.
Landon couldn’t help but wonder what kind of parents had raised such a child.
Noticing Landon’s unwavering attention on Calvin, Cara felt a pang of jealousy. She sidled closer, attempting to link her arm with Landon’s, but he subtly evaded her touch.
A flash of irritation crossed Landon’s eyes. He clearly wasn’t thrilled about Cara getting close to him.
Cara saw his reaction and bit back a frustrated sigh, plastering on a fake smile instead. “Let’s go see Elma. She kept asking for you when she was burning up. You should be with her.”
The thought of Elma seemed to melt some of the ice in Landon’s eyes. He gave a curt nod and followed Cara inside. Just as Sophie and Calvin were heading out, the driver called with bad news that Calvin seemed to have gotten hurt again.
Leila’s stomach twisted with worry. She and Sophie practically ran to the car.
The hospital was packed, the lobby overflowing with people sniffling and coughing, thanks to the flu season.
Leila and Sophie reached the entrance, and Leila abruptly stopped dead in her tracks. A strange feeling washed over her, a jolt to her heart. A familiar scent tickled her nose, making her pulse quicken.
Leila frantically searched the sea of faces but couldn’t find the one she was desperately hoping for. It was like her senses were playing tricks on her.
But deep down, Leila knew it wasn’t her imagination. Sophie seemed to pick up on it too. She squeezed Leila’s hand. “Mom, did you just see my dad?”
Leila’s voice was full of hope. “Did you see him too?” Sophie hesitated and then slowly shook her head.
The light faded from Leila’s eyes, but she forced a smile. “Maybe I’m just imagining things. The doctor did say I might have visions. Maybe it was all in my head. Let’s go.” Sophie hugged Leila’s arm, her voice soft and reassuring. “It’s okay. We’re here for you.”
At the elevator, Landon felt a strange pull and scanned the crowd. His eyes landed on Sophie and Leila. Even from behind, he could tell Leila was graceful and stunning, Sophie cute and full of life. He racked his brain, but they didn’t spark any memories. Still, he couldn’t look away.
Leila suddenly turned, as if she felt his gaze.
Just as Landon was about to see Leila’s face, the elevator doors slid shut.
The feeling of being watched that had prickled Leila’s skin vanished.
Leila let out a breath, chalking it up to another hallucination. She felt she really needed to see a shrink. Landon stared at the closed doors, a storm of emotions brewing in his dark eyes. He hadn’t felt this unsettled in ages. It was… unnerving.
Landon turned to find Cara staring at him, suspicion and worry clouding her face. “Who were you staring at like that?” she questioned.
“What is it to you?” Landon retorted coldly.
Cara’s eyes welled up. “I’m your wife!”