Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, hoping the pain would keep her grounded. But no amount of pain could dull the ache in her heart. She lowered her head, and the tears that had welled in her eyes finally spilled over, falling to the floor. She failed to notice both men felt the weight of her sorrow.
Landon couldn’t explain why he felt such pity for her. Clayton mentioned she was Sarah. He had heard about his past with Sarah from others. They claimed they had parted on bad terms, swearing never to cross each other’s paths again. Back then, she had annoyed him to no end.
Yet, now facing her, Landon felt no annoyance at all. Was it his amnesia clouding his feelings? They said he hated her guts, but now, inexplicably, he felt sorry for her.
Digging deeper, Landon learned he hailed from the Kensington family. But after learning of her control over the Kensington family, he had no desire to return. He had spent years rebuilding his life and establishing his power. Although he wasn’t as influential as the Morgan family, his power had grown swiftly. He didn’t want to escape one cage just to be trapped in another.
As Leila wept, Landon’s discomfort grew unbearable. Finding a reason to excuse himself, he left quickly.
As Landon passed her, his familiar scent stirred something inside Leila. She had already considered this possibility and braced herself mentally, but hearing Landon say it aloud was infinitely more painful than she had imagined. How could someone who once loved her so deeply now act as though she were nothing and move on so easily? He had risked everything for her once, nearly losing his life.
Before Leila realized it, Clayton approached her.
“Leila,” Clayton called out softly.
Her gaze hardened as she shot him a sharp look. “Mr. Morgan, we are not that close. Please address me more formally.”
Clayton let out a bitter smile. “It’s my fault for not telling you the truth in the past. But I wasn’t entirely lying to you. I kept the truth from you because I feared you’d be devastated. I know how much what happened to Landon and Chloe has weighed on you all these years.”
Leila wasn’t buying Clayton’s explanation. “If you cared about me, you would have told me sooner.”
Leila rose to her feet, wiping her tears away. Her voice steadied, though her red eyes betrayed the storm within. “Clayton Morgan, if you don’t want me to come after the Morgan family, tell me everything right now.”
Clayton exhaled deeply and began to unravel the story. He said that two years after Leila and Landon parted ways, he found Landon wandering the streets alone, without Chloe. Landon had no memory of Chloe, likely from some traumatic event.
At that time, Clayton took Landon in, and soon after, Cara began caring for Landon. As time passed, Landon and Cara grew close and fell in love.
Clayton claimed that when Landon regained his senses, fragments of his past returned, but Chloe remained absent from his memory. Clayton guessed Chloe might not have survived. With Clayton’s guidance, Landon gradually began to remember Leila. However, his feelings for her had faded.
Back then, Leila’s mental state had deteriorated to the point where Clayton, out of concern, had introduced her to a psychologist. He worried that Leila might not handle the truth if she found out. He had intended to wait until Leila got better. But then, unexpectedly, Landon married Cara, and they had a daughter. They named her Elma.
Clayton’s voice softened with guilt. “I never wanted to hurt you. I just didn’t know how to tell you. Cara’s been through so much herself over the years, but being with Landon, she’s finally found peace.”
Leila’s heart shattered into pieces. Clayton’s words seemed to make sense. No wonder Elma had felt so familiar to her, leading her to question whether Elma was Chloe even though their ages didn’t match. Now, the truth was clear. Elma was Landon’s daughter. That was why she felt so familiar.
Leila didn’t doubt Clayton’s words.
Leila’s bitterness rose, but she wasn’t sure who to be angry at-Clayton for keeping secrets, or herself for hoping Chloe was still out there. Clayton had deceived her, but Chloe just couldn’t be found. If she were in Clayton’s shoes, she would have made the same decision.
Leila’s thoughts drifted back to Landon’s cold words. She managed to speak through the lump in her throat. “If Landon has really moved on, I can accept that. But I doubt Chloe is just gone.”
Clayton placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “When I found Landon, he was covered in bruises, like he’d been running from something. Leila, you have to accept the truth.”
Leila broke down, her sobs shaking her body. Tears streamed down her face as she struggled to breathe.
Clayton’s face showed nothing but pain. He reached out to hold Leila’s hand, but she jerked away, refusing his touch.
The tension in the room thickened abruptly. Leila regained her composure and cleared her throat. “Everything is cleared up now. I realize I’ve been rather forceful these past few days. Please don’t hold it against me.”
Clayton hastily said, “It’s okay. I understand the pressures you were facing. I admit, my communication wasn’t the clearest, and I failed to consider your perspective, which must have caused you concern.”
Leila gave a small smile, her demeanor still detached. “Truly, if I were in your position, I might have made the same decisions. However…”
Her smile waned as she continued, “You have hurt me, and that’s not something I can simply dismiss. My trust isn’t what it once was. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Clayton put on a bitter smile. He motioned toward the door and responded, “I understand. If you doubt my words, perhaps you should speak with Landon. He’s still around.”
Leila’s lips tightened. She didn’t want to confront Landon. Yet, after a few moments of stillness, she found herself rising from her seat. While she could choose not to probe into the past, she had to ask Landon on behalf of Sophie and Calvin.
Stepping outside, Leila immediately spotted Landon. He was just lighting a cigarette, his figure shrouded in the curling smoke, making him seem even more distant.
As Leila approached, Landon acknowledged her with a slight nod. Unable to let it go, Leila stepped closer and asked, “Do you really remember who I am?”
“Of course,” Landon answered immediately, his tone firm. “How could I forget? I remember everything about our past, vividly.” At his indifferent facade, Leila nearly let her tears escape. She longed to ask whether he would deny acknowledging Sophie and Calvin, but the image of Elma with Cara halted her. Sophie and Calvin, it seemed, were no longer his priority. Why bother asking, then?
Struggling to maintain her composure, Leila’s voice wavered, though she managed to sound more detached. “If that’s the case, let’s part ways here. I won’t bother you again.”
Landon gave a curt “Hmm,” his dark eyes swirling with unspoken thoughts. Leila couldn’t decipher what he was truly considering.
Taking a few steps away, Leila halted abruptly and turned to face him. With clenched fists, she declared, “If I could go back, I wish I had never met you.”
Landon’s face remained impassive, but it felt as though his heart had been sharply struck. Panic surged through him as he felt an immediate sense of loss. Rooted to the spot, he gazed vacantly in the direction Leila had gone, long after she had vanished around the corner. His gaze remained fixed, unable to tear away. The words he had uttered went against his desires. Yet, there was some truth to them. Clayton said she was Sarah. He had confirmed it through various sources. He and Sarah had indeed parted on bitter terms. Perhaps his memory loss meant he couldn’t decisively sever ties, but today, he had to be harsh.
Lost in thought, Landon was jolted back to reality when Clayton approached.
Gone was the gentleness Clayton had shown in front of Leila. Now, he appeared stern and suspicious. “Remember our deal,” he said to Landon.
Landon’s gaze hardened as he met Clayton’s eyes, a scornful smirk crossing his face. “Don’t worry. I keep my word. Unlike you and your sister.”
Clayton’s face flushed with a mix of shame and irritation. “I’m doing everything I can, but convincing Cara isn’t easy. However, you’re free now. Cara won’t dictate your movements anymore. That’s something, isn’t it?”
“Something?” Landon’s smirk turned biting. “So, I should be thankful I’m not being treated like a prisoner anymore?”
Clayton’s cheeks reddened with fury. “Watch your words, Landon.”
Unrelenting, Landon fired back, “I haven’t even started on the worst part. Just know that if you keep cornering me like this, we’re all going down. Got it?”
With those words, Landon turned and left in a huff.
As Clayton watched Landon’s figure shrink in the distance, he let out a defeated sigh.
“Cara, the man you’ve chosen is a piece of work. He’s too stubborn. Push him any harder, and it’ll end in disaster,” Clayton muttered under his breath.
Clayton mulled over whether aiding Cara had been a mistake from the very start. But regrets were futile now. There was no turning back. Time would eventually take everything away. Leila had believed his fabricated stories, which was fortunate. Ever since she returned home, Leila had seemed absentminded. Though she attempted to maintain a relaxed facade around Sophie and Calvin, Sophie, now a sharp teenager, sensed the strain.
Sophie sensed something was amiss but resisted the urge to ask Leila about it immediately. Instead, she chose a more tranquil moment to engage with her.
Often, their bond mirrored that of close friends.
In Sophie’s presence, Leila’s usually firm demeanor softened.
Hearing Leila express her feelings, Sophie felt a pang of sorrow. Yet, she knew her unease paled in comparison to Leila’s profound grief. Leila had raised her, and they shared countless memories. Her recollections of Landon, however, were fleeting. Those moments with Landon brought her joy, but they were short-lived. Her primary concern was alleviating Leila’s sadness.
After comforting Leila, Sophie walked outside and unexpectedly bumped into Calvin.
With a calm gaze, Calvin inquired confidently, “Was our dad found?”
Sophie wasn’t taken aback by his question. Calvin had always been keenly observant. She hushed him gently and led him away to talk privately.
“We did find him, but not Chloe. Dad has a new family now. He doesn’t want us anymore,” Sophie remarked, her voice tinged with disappointment.
Calvin looked down, his discomfort evident. Then, a sudden thought made him lift his gaze, locking eyes with Sophie earnestly. “Sophie, trust me. I believe she’s still out there,” he asserted, placing his hand over his heart. “Chloe and I are twins. I once heard twins have a unique bond. I can feel she’s alive. Maybe she just wasn’t happy.”
“Really?” Sophie’s face brightened with a flicker of hope.
Calvin nodded firmly. “Absolutely. I trust my instincts.”
Sophie paused, considering his words, and then cautioned, “Don’t bring this up with our mom. If she gets her hopes up and it doesn’t pan out, it’ll only hurt her more.”
Understanding the weight of her advice, Calvin gave a knowing nod.
Sophie tousled Calvin’s hair affectionately and then stood with her hands on her hips, her voice resolute. “We don’t need our dad. Just you and I can look after our mom.”
Calvin gazed up at Sophie with serious eyes. “You’re right. I can look after our mom and you.”