Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Once Landon was gone, Keely knocked on Cara’s door. Cara, still glowing with happiness, was annoyed by the interruption. “Come in and spit it out,” she called out.
Keely entered the room with a smile, carefully placing a small USB drive on the table. “Here’s the recording,” she said.
Cara glanced at the USB drive, her eyes narrowing. “You didn’t mess with this, did you?” she asked, her voice sharp.
Keely shook her head vigorously. “Of course not. I know my place. I didn’t listen to a thing, I swear.”
Cara snorted. “Good. Though you work for me, don’t forget the rules. Stay out of things that don’t concern you. You can leave now.”
Keely, breathing a sigh of relief, hastened toward the door. Just as she reached it, Cara called her back. Keely groaned inwardly.
“Tell Landon I’m not feeling well and ask him to come check on me,” Cara instructed.
Keely froze, a cold sweat breaking out across her forehead. Landon’s chilling warning echoed in her ears.
Cara, noticing Keely’s hesitation, snapped, “What’s the matter? Are you refusing to carry out my orders?”
“No, no, of course not!” Keely waved her hands frantically.
Cara narrowed her eyes, suspicion creeping into her voice. “Is he not home? Did he go out? Or are you keeping something from me?”
Keely fidgeted nervously. “No, it’s just… just…” She struggled to come up with a plausible excuse.
Cara’s patience wore thin. “Fine!” she huffed, getting up to leave the room. “If you won’t tell me, I’ll find out myself.”
“Please wait!” Keely blurted out, desperately trying to block Cara’s path.
“I bumped into Mr. Kensington earlier, and he said he was going out to get you a present. He wanted it to be a surprise and made me promise not to tell you. I didn’t want to spill the beans, but… “
Keely bet Cara wouldn’t question further since Landon was mentioned.
As expected, the words that Landon was out buying her a gift filled Cara with delight. “Really?” she squealed.
Keely feigned remorse. “Why else would I be so hesitant to tell you? Mr. Kensington wanted to surprise you. Now the surprise is ruined, and it’s all my fault.” She sighed dramatically.
Cara let out a scornful laugh. “Well, obviously it’s your fault,” she sneered. “But I won’t blame you. Get out of my sight.”
Keely practically flew out of the room, relieved to have escaped Cara’s wrath.
Cara was ecstatic. She couldn’t stop picturing herself walking down the aisle in a stunning white gown, Landon waiting for her at the altar. Suddenly, something glinted in the corner of her eye. It was the USB drive, lying innocently on the desk.
Cara hesitated, unsure whether to delve into the contents of the drive. After a moment of contemplation, curiosity won over, and she decided to listen to the recording.
Cara felt she was the only one who could mediate the conflict between Landon and Clayton. She certainly didn’t want any drama disrupting her wedding day.
Humming a cheerful tune, Cara retrieved the USB drive.
Elsewhere, Leila was surprised to find herself face-to-face with Landon once more. Their unexpected encounter took place, yet again, within the hospital walls.
Since her return, Leila couldn’t shake off a persistent worry for Elma. She had even inquired about Elma’s well-being from the doctor. She learned that the Morgan family rarely visited Elma, with Clayton being the exception, visiting every other day.
Therefore, Leila chose a day when Clayton wasn’t expected to visit.
Leila briefly questioned if her concern for Elma was excessive, considering Elma wasn’t her own child. However, her children constantly pleaded to visit Elma, clearly missing their little friend.
Taking her children to the hospital wasn’t feasible, so Leila decided to visit Elma alone.
Armed with Elma’s favorite snacks and toys, Leila arrived at Elma’s ward only to find a familiar figure. Landon sat beside Elma’s bed, sharing a moment of laughter and joy with the little girl.
Leila felt a surge of awkwardness and was about to retreat when Elma spotted her.
Elma and Leila had developed a close bond during the time they spent together. Elma’s face beamed with delight as she exclaimed, “Leila!” The next second, Landon’s gaze fell upon Leila.
Leila realized leaving now would only amplify the awkwardness of the situation. She cleared her throat and turned to face Landon, meeting his composed gaze.
Landon’s expression remained unchanged, offering only a slight nod in acknowledgment.
Elma was so thrilled that she attempted to climb out of bed to greet Leila. Alarmed, Leila rushed forward to stop Elma, gently scolding, “Careful, sweetheart! You might fall.”
Elma giggled and hugged Leila tightly. Her infectious laughter and sweet smile warmed Leila’s heart.
Leila gently stroked Elma’s hair. “Were you a good girl today?” she asked with a warm smile. “Did you eat all your food and take your medicine obediently?”
Elma tilted her head and replied with a proud grin, “Of course! I’m so well-behaved and smart. I’m the best-behaved kid in the whole hospital!”
Leila couldn’t help but laugh. Even Landon, who was standing nearby, chuckled, his voice pleasant.
Leila felt a strange flutter in her chest. The memory of that day in the elevator flashed before her eyes, and a blush crept up her cheeks.
Flustered, Leila reached for her glass of water, but it was still steaming hot.
Leila yelped as the heat seared her hand. Her hand trembled, sloshing hot water over the rim of the glass.
The cup wobbled precariously, threatening to spill scalding water all over her hand.
“Watch out!” Landon cried, springing into action. He reached around Leila, his arms encircling her as he steadied the cup.
But some of the water sloshed out, landing on Landon’s hands.
Landon winced, a grimace flashing across his face.
Leila and Landon were incredibly close-close enough to feel the warmth of each other’s bodies and hear the frantic beating of each other’s hearts.
Leila caught a whiff of Landon’s cologne, a clean, masculine scent that made her head spin. She turned her head slightly, her gaze tracing the sharp lines of his profile. “Landon,” she called out, suddenly aware of just how close they were.
Landon’s heart hammered in his chest. He was acutely aware of her nearness, his face and ears burning with a telltale blush that Leila thankfully didn’t seem to notice.
The way they were pressed together felt like an embrace.
A warmth spread through Landon’s chest, and he found himself strangely reluctant to break the moment. He didn’t release her until Leila began to squirm, a hint of panic in her eyes. Reluctantly, Landon loosened his grip and stepped back, a strange pang of disappointment echoing in his chest.
The air crackled with awkwardness. Leila avoided Landon’s gaze, her cheeks flushed.
Elma observed the scene with wide and curious eyes. Even at her young age, she could pick up on the strange tension between them. But strangely, she didn’t feel upset or threatened by it. Instead, she simply clapped her hands and giggled.
Elma chirped, “Daddy, why is your face so red?”
Elma’s innocent question only deepened the crimson hue on Landon’s face.
“I, uh… I need to use the bathroom,” Landon mumbled, making a hasty retreat.
When Landon returned, Leila had regained her composure, playing a game with Elma.
The soft lamplight illuminated Leila’s delicate features, and her gaze, fixed on Elma, was filled with warmth and affection. Landon had never seen Cara look at Elma with such tenderness.
When Leila noticed Landon emerge from the bathroom, the memory of their earlier close encounter flooded back, sending a blush creeping up her neck. Her eyes sparkled with embarrassment.
Landon felt a strange flutter in his chest, a nervous energy he couldn’t quite explain.
“It’s getting late, sweetheart,” Leila said softly. “I should let you get some rest. I’ll come visit again soon.”
Elma’s face fell, her bottom lip trembling. “Can’t you stay? If you leave, my daddy will go too, and I’ll be all alone.”.
“Don’t worry. The nurses will be here to look after you,” Leila reassured her.