Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Cara’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Is she pretty? Be honest.”
The butler fumbled for the right words. “She’s attractive, Miss, but nowhere near your beauty.”
Cara instantly understood the butler’s meaning and typed, “In that case, don’t bother showing me her photos. Make sure she’s dealt with, though. Since she’s pretty, don’t let her go to waste. You know what I mean.”
“We’ll take care of it.”
With a yawn, Cara gave her instructions. “Good. I expect to hear the results tomorrow. I have plans tonight, so don’t disturb me.”
Just after Cara sent the message, Landon entered the room. Dressed in a sharp suit, Landon looked more dashing than ever, his aloofness unmistakable. Yet, to Cara, his icy demeanor only enhanced his allure, sparking her desire to conquer him.
Cara’s eyes lit up with adoration, eager to make Landon her husband and completely smitten with him. However, Landon barely glanced her way upon entering.
Not disheartened, Cara flashed him a sweet smile. “It’s so noisy outside. Would you mind joining us here for some fun and quiet?”
Landon’s tone was somewhat frosty. “Staying here with the same crowd isn’t thrilling. I prefer to immerse myself in the local festivities.”
Cara maintained her composure. “That’s fine. I’ll find you later with Elma. When I locate you, I’ll send Elma back.”
Landon’s patience snapped. His icy eyes locked onto her, and his voice became low and dangerous. “Do you enjoy using Elma to manipulate me?”
Cara blinked, her expression laced with hurt. “If you weren’t so cold and unwilling to talk to me, I wouldn’t have had to do this. If you treated me better, I’d be kinder to Elma.”
In a sudden flash of anger, Landon grabbed Cara’s throat, his grip firm but controlled. “Don’t think you can use being her mother to control me. If you push me to the edge, you’ll regret it!”
Fear flickered in Cara’s eyes, but she held her ground. “I’m not pushing or trying to control you. I only want us to be happy together as a family. If you refuse to let that happen, I have no choice but to use these tactics.”
Landon tightened his grip on Cara’s throat, frustration radiating from him. He couldn’t quite grasp why he felt such intense disdain for her. He even grew irritated by the simple fact that they were standing in the same place.
Normally, Landon wasn’t the type to be easily angered. Although he was cold, he wasn’t unpredictable. However, every time he saw Cara, an unshakable irritation stirred within him. He doubted he had ever been with her, let alone fathered a child before losing his memory.
Landon’s doubts had grown so strong that he secretly took a paternity test with Elma. The results confirmed Elma was his daughter, but it hadn’t lessened his loathing for Cara.
Just then, the door burst open. Clayton walked in, his face a mixture of shock and anger at the sight. He rushed over, breaking Landon’s grip and pulling Cara away. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Are you trying to kill her?” Now in Clayton’s arms and coughing from Landon’s chokehold, Cara still only had eyes for Landon.
“Clayton, don’t blame him. He’ll be upset by your words.”
Clayton stared at Cara in disbelief. “You must be out of your mind! He nearly choked you, and you’re defending him?”
Cara’s voice was softer now. “I can’t help it. I love him. Even if he wanted to kill me, I’d still hold on.”
Landon’s cold eyes narrowed as he smirked, his voice dripping with venom. “If that’s what you want, I’m more than willing to keep up this miserable game with you.”
Clayton clenched his fists furiously, wanting to shake some sense into Cara. How could she fail to see that Landon would never love her? Even if she became a better person or more dazzling, Landon would never fall in love with her. He was never truly hers, and love couldn’t be forced.
Yet, Clayton was blind to the depths of Cara’s obsession, which ran deeper than he could imagine.
Cara gazed blankly into Landon’s icy eyes. Suddenly, she burst into laughter. “Clayton, did you hear that? He said he wouldn’t mind sticking around to keep up this game. That must mean he loves me, right?”
“What the hell did you just say?” Clayton exclaimed, shaking his head. “Both of you must be out of your fucking minds!”
Freeing herself from Clayton’s embrace, Cara fixed her gaze firmly on Landon. Despite his aggressive behavior just moments before, she moved toward him with determined steps. Her self-assurance was palpable. She firmly believed she would win Landon’s heart one day.
Clayton, observing the lethal glare in Landon’s eyes, felt an urgent need to intervene. “Causing a scene won’t do any good. Elma’s right outside, looking forward to some family time. Landon, you don’t want her to see you like this, do you?”
Landon shot a frosty look at both Cara and Clayton before turning around and storming off.
Clayton turned to Cara, his expression a mix of frustration and concern. “If you really can’t let Landon go, why not put in more effort to win him over? There are tons of safer ways to keep someone close, but you chose the riskiest one! Do you realize she also came…?”
Clayton caught himself, abruptly stopping.
Cara, oblivious to Clayton’s near slip, responded sharply, “What good would other methods do? I’m not content with him just being around me. I want his love! Plus, how could I ever hurt him when I love him this much?”
Clayton was rendered speechless for a moment, letting out a heavy sigh. “I’ve said my piece. I’m done intervening.”
Cara snorted, straightening her rumpled clothes. She fixed Clayton with a playful grin. “How about a bet, Clayton? Think I can charm Landon tonight? Soon, he’ll have eyes only for me.”
Clayton’s mind was preoccupied with Leila’s presence at today’s festival, barely registering Cara’s challenge. When reality snapped back, he sensed trouble brewing. What was Cara up to now?
Disturbed, Clayton hurried after Cara.
As Landon stepped into the grand hall, the sight of Elma laughing among the servants softened his expression.
“Daddy!” Elma caught his eye and dashed over.
Landon lifted her up, stroking her hair gently. “You’re having such a good time but drenched in sweat. You just got better from a cold, so be careful not to get sick again.”
Elma patted her chest confidently. “I’m okay. I’ve been cozy under the blankets, and Betty’s been taking great care of me. I won’t get sick.”
Betty stood nearby, her smile radiant. “Don’t worry, sir. Elma’s in good hands with me.”
“You’ve really put in the effort. Thanks for taking such good care of Elma,” Landon responded, his smile matching hers.
In Landon’s absence, Elma would have faced much distress if not for Clayton’s and Betty’s support.
Flattered by the acknowledgment, Betty reassured him. “With your trust, I promise Elma will be well cared for.”
Cara observed this exchange from a distance, her lips pressed tightly together in jealousy. Her gaze toward Betty turned icy. In her mind, Betty was just trying to charm Landon.
Angry, Cara quickly moved to intercept, positioning herself strategically between Betty and Landon.
Unaware of any tension, Betty discreetly signaled for the others to start leaving as Cara approached.
As Betty began to walk away, Cara’s voice dripped with contempt. “Why the rush to leave? Feeling guilty now that I’m here?”
Betty, puzzled by Cara’s hostility, was nonetheless accustomed to it after years of service. Cara was known for her unpredictable moods.
Respectfully, Betty replied, “It’s time for your family to gather together. We shouldn’t intrude.”
Cara sneered in response. “Finally, you get it. Leave, and do it quickly.”
After the others had departed, Landon had no intention of staying with Cara. He picked up Elma, ready to walk away.
Vexed, Cara stamped her foot and begrudgingly followed. “Where are you going?” she asked, her voice laced with frustration. “Why are you leaving me behind?”
Landon continued walking, not bothering to look back. “I’m taking Elma out for some fresh air.”
“Landon!” Cara called out, rushing after him. Her voice softened to a plea. “Stay for dinner with me tonight, please. All I want is to talk to you. I won’t push you anymore. I don’t want things to keep going this way. We can’t keep avoiding our problems, can we?”
Seeing Landon remain indifferent, Cara played her last card. “If not for me, then for Elma. She’ll be by my side as she grows up. You wouldn’t want me to mistreat her, would you?”
Cara then turned to Elma. “Elma, what do you think?”
Elma instantly grasped Cara’s threat. She could tell Landon preferred to keep his distance from Cara, but she was afraid of Cara. If Landon rejected her, Elma dreaded the possible repercussions.
Sensing Elma tense up beside him, Landon exhaled a weary sigh. He soothingly rubbed Elma’s back, offering some comfort, before turning to Cara decisively. “Fine. I’ll talk with you.”
Cara, elated by his agreement, promptly instructed a servant to make the arrangements.
The dinner was set in the garden at the rear of the manor, chosen by Cara for its privacy.
Despite the occasion being billed as a family dinner, Cara had Elma escorted away as soon as she took her seat.