Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“But I don’t want them,” Elma said, her voice small. “I don’t like strangers. I’d rather be by myself.”
“I’ll stay with you tonight, Elma,” Landon interjected.
Only then did Elma nod, her eyes still glued to Leila.
Elma asked, her voice filled with worry, “But if I get better and go home, will I never see you again? Then I don’t want to get better! I don’t want to go home.”
Leila was taken aback. “Don’t say that, Elma,” she chided gently. “Being sick isn’t fun. You need to get better.” Elma said nothing, her eyes downcast.
Leila’s heart ached for the little girl. She couldn’t help but glare at Landon, a wave of anger washing over her. This was his daughter, for God’s sake! Couldn’t he protect his own child from Cara’s cruelty? Cara practically worshipped him. Surely, he could put his foot down and make her stop.
Sensing Leila’s accusing stare, Landon’s expression hardened with resolve.
“Elma, I promise you,” Landon said firmly. “I won’t let anyone bully you ever again. Not even your mother.”
Elma’s eyes lit up, and a sweet smile spread across her face.
Leila scoffed inwardly, thinking he was just trying to appease Elma with empty promises. “I hope you mean that, Mr. Kensington,” she said, her voice laced with skepticism. “You shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep.”
Landon’s gaze met Leila’s, his expression earnest. “I mean what I said,” he said, his voice low and sincere.
Leila exited the ward, a hand fluttering to her chest as if to calm her racing heart. She figured she needed to distance herself from Landon. It was for the best. Each encounter with him ignited a torrent of emotions she couldn’t control, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and heartbroken.
A wry, self-deprecating smile touched Leila’s lips. “Damn it,” she muttered to herself, cursing her foolish heart for falling for someone so utterly off-limits. Time, she hoped, would eventually mend the cracks in her heart.
Despite the dim illumination, the hospital corridor felt eerily cold and menacing in the hushed stillness of the night. Shadows stretched long and distorted, creating an unsettling ambiance. The fluorescent lights above flickered ominously as Leila neared the elevator, casting dancing shadows that played tricks on her eyes.
A figure materialized abruptly at the elevator entrance, their eyes fixed on Leila with an icy intensity that sent shivers down her spine.
Leila recoiled, her breath catching in her throat. It took a moment for her to register the woman’s identity. It was Cara, her face etched with a chilling expression. But something was undeniably amiss. A palpable aura of malice radiated from Cara. Cara’s eyes burned with a murderous rage, her entire demeanor radiating a chilling intent.
Cara typically showed hostility toward Leila. However, at that moment, her eyes glinted with a cold ferocity, exuding a lethal intent and profound loathing. She looked like a wraith, hungry for vengeance.
Usually, Cara took great care in her presentation, always donning stylish, luxurious clothing and flawless makeup when she stepped outside. But now, she appeared dramatically less composed, her appearance marred by a disheveled nightgown and tousled hair.
Feeling Cara’s chilling stare, a deep-seated fear quickly took root within Leila, seemingly crawling up from her very soul, engulfing her senses..
With a shaky breath, Leila instinctively retreated, muttering, “Miss Morgan?”
At Leila’s words, Cara’s demeanor unexpectedly softened. Her usual harshness melted into a serene smile. “Miss Nixon, what a coincidence.”
Although Cara’s smile and softened gaze appeared comforting, an unsettling chill lingered, leaving Leila uneasy.
“Greetings, Miss Morgan.” After a brief hesitation, Leila quickly fabricated an excuse. “I came to pick up some medication for Calvin. I’ll be on my way unless there’s anything you need?” Leila’s mind raced with worry. If Cara learned the real reason for her visit was to see Elma, it would surely stir up trouble.
This time, however, Cara didn’t cause a scene. She simply fixed Leila with a deep, searching gaze.
As Leila began to walk past her, Cara unexpectedly murmured something eerie, “Make an effort to visit Elma more frequently, or you might miss the chance to see her one day.” Leila involuntarily turned her head toward Cara.
There was a self-satisfied air about Cara as she covered her mouth and chuckled.
Leila detected a veiled threat in Cara’s words. She resented Cara for using Elma as leverage, but she merely replied in a cold tone, “Miss Morgan, remember, Elma is your daughter.” Cara’s smile turned meaningful, but she said nothing.
Leila tore her gaze off Cara and continued on her way. She partially expected Cara to take some action, but Cara merely observed her departure with a chilling grin.
Fortunately, the elevator doors shut, sparing Leila from having to endure Cara’s daunting smile any longer.
Leila had planned to text Landon a warning, only to realize she didn’t have his contact information. Perhaps it was better that way. She was determined to avoid stirring up any trouble between Cara and Landon. She feared they would pin the blame on her.
As the elevator halted on the first floor, Cara diverted her gaze. She sighed and shook her head.
Unbeknownst to Leila, Cara clutched a fruit knife behind her back.
Leila’s discomfort just moments before was a gut reaction to a perceived threat. It wasn’t a case of Leila overthinking things. For an instant, Cara truly considered charging at Leila with the knife, ending both of their lives together.
However, upon reflection, Cara dropped the idea. Such a death would be too simple for Leila.
Cara was determined to drive Leila into utter despair, making sure Leila would never threaten her relationship with Landon again.
With a new plan in mind, Cara’s lips curled into a slight smile. She let the knife clatter to the floor and made her way toward Elma’s hospital ward.
Inside, Landon was sitting by Elma’s bedside, weaving a bedtime story. Elma was on the verge of falling asleep when Cara suddenly appeared in the doorway.
The unexpected entrance startled both Elma and Landon.
Landon’s forehead creased with worry, and his voice came out sharp, almost harsh. “What are you doing here?”
He scrutinized Cara from head to toe, a mix of suspicion and annoyance in his gaze. “Why are you dressed like that?”
Instead of answering, Cara veiled the spite in her look and ignored Landon’s questions. She moved toward Elma, gently caressing her face with a chilling touch.
Elma flinched, unease gnawing at her. The coldness of Cara’s hand was too much-like the chilling brush of a serpent’s skin against hers.
Terror took hold of Elma as she shifted her frightened eyes between Cara and Landon.
With a slight smile, Cara finally addressed Landon, her voice calm yet eerie. “Is it odd for a mother to visit her daughter? She’s been here for so many days. I’ve missed her.”
A wave of frustration washed over Landon instantly. Dispensing with pretenses, his voice dripped with sarcasm. “If you had genuinely cared for her, you wouldn’t have treated her this poorly, and she wouldn’t have been admitted for medical treatment.”
Cara faced Landon, her features molded into a mock expression of wounded innocence. “Are you implying I’ve been bad to Elma? Landon, didn’t we agree to spend our future together peacefully, without disagreements?”
Landon was momentarily speechless, then adopted a gentler demeanor. He grasped Cara’s hand, leading her toward the door. “Let’s step outside. Elma’s about to sleep and needs her rest.”
Cara stood resolute, her smile widening as she suddenly said, “Can you guess why I sought you out today? And how did I figure out you were here?”
Landon’s brow furrowed in response to her words. Could it be that Clayton had betrayed him by exposing their charade to Cara? But that seemed unlikely. If Clayton had disclosed anything to Cara, he would have been implicating himself as well. Furthermore, given Cara’s tendency to make a scene, she would have likely done so by now. Yet, she was eerily composed. It was probable that she was merely upset about him not being home at night, choosing instead to visit Elma in the hospital.
Landon suppressed the wave of disdain and chill in his gaze, managing a strained embrace. “I’m sorry, Cara. I was deeply concerned about Elma and felt compelled to check on her. I kept it to myself because it was freezing outside. I didn’t want you catching a cold, so I didn’t ask you to come,” he murmured with a feigned warmth.
Cara settled into his arms, her body motionless. She inhaled deeply, cherishing the scent of him, wishing she could stop time right there.
However, Cara was painfully aware of the truth. It was all a facade. Landon’s tenderness was just a mask. He didn’t love her, not even in the slightest.
Clayton, her own brother, joined hands with Landon, adamant about having the wedding on the island solely to confine her there indefinitely.
Originally, Cara had been curious about the cause of the dispute between Landon and Clayton. However, after listening to the entire recording, she was utterly devastated. They had fought over her.
That day, Landon had confronted Clayton, directly demanding that Cara be sent away. Otherwise, Landon would leave the Morgan family and never return, indifferent to the consequences that would follow. After all, even if he stayed with the Morgan family, Cara would never allow Elma to go.
Clayton, of course, rejected Landon’s demands, which led to their argument.
Landon then revealed medical reports concerning Calvin and Elma. He sternly warned Clayton that keeping Cara, an unhinged woman, around was like harboring a ticking bomb, and her presence posed a real threat to anyone near her. Over the years, Cara’s violent mood swings had already claimed many lives..
Now that they were back in their homeland, where the law was strictly enforced, even a small mistake could jeopardize the entire Morgan family.
After hearing Landon’s words, Clayton remained silent for a long time. He realized that his leniency had not earned Cara’s gratitude as he had hoped but had only fueled her brazenness.
As Cara listened to the recording, she heard Clayton’s voice fade into silence. At that moment, she held on to a sliver of hope. Clayton, her brother, had always been her protector, showering her with love and never failing to stand by her side. He had made countless sacrifices to keep her safe.
However, as the recording continued, Clayton’s next words were clear: “If it were for any other reason, I wouldn’t lend a hand. But seeing her at the hospital, so distraught over the kids, made me question my actions. For her sake, I’ll help you.”
Clayton didn’t specify anyone by name, but Cara wasn’t naive. She immediately realized that Clayton was referring to Leila, the woman who had ensnared Landon. Now, it seemed that Leila had also charmed Clayton. It appeared that Landon and Clayton were conspiring to lock her up on Leila’s behalf.
Cara was livid. Leila was to blame. She deserved to die. Filled with fury, Cara struggled to contain the storm of emotions inside her as she gripped Landon’s clothes tightly.