Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“I’m skeptical. It could be overdubbed. Steinways are worth a fortune, undoubtedly a top-tier piano. How could a young kid play more impressively with a mediocre piano than with one of the Steinways?”
“It’s unfair to cast doubt simply because you can’t comprehend the skill. Do you have any proof of your claim? Without evidence, it’s just baseless speculation.”
“Enough bickering. Let’s solve this easily. Call the officials and confirm it. The video looks like it was shot in a practice room at the concert hall.”
Driven by curiosity, some netizens reached out for confirmation. However, since both Rola and Sophie were children of influential investors, the officials were reluctant to offend either side. Plus, Rola had even made it clear she wanted the incident kept quiet.
Thus, the officials gave only vague and non-committal responses, fueling further doubts about the authenticity of the event. Some even speculated privately that the whole thing might have been staged to boost Sophie’s profile.
Even though some whispers doubted Sophie’s skills, they hadn’t really spread that far, and most people just brushed them aside anyway. Almost everyone was impressed with Sophie’s piano playing. The video kept getting shared online and even became a hit within Avalon itself.
Eventually, Landon stumbled across the video. He watched Sophie’s performance again and again, rewinding and replaying certain parts.
Jeanette was watching the video with him curiously. “Hey, Landon. Is that your daughter?”
Landon nodded, a proud smile spreading across his face. “Yep, that’s my girl,” he said. “Don’t you think she looks a bit like me?”
“Yeah, she does!” Jeanette agreed, grinning. “She’s really pretty, just like her dad.”
Landon chuckled and playfully messed up Jeanette’s hair. Just then, Lacey walked in and saw them laughing together. She overheard what Landon had said.
“Do you miss your wife and kids a lot?” Lacey asked, setting down the things she was carrying. Her back was to Landon, so he couldn’t see the look on her face.
“Of course I do,” Landon replied honestly.
Lacey turned to face him, giving him a look that was hard to read. “If you miss them so much, why don’t you go back and find them?”
Landon frowned, not answering her question.
Lacey had helped Landon get some information about Leila and the kids. Leila had taken their children overseas. He had no idea what they were doing there or exactly where they were. Clayton had gone with them.
Landon’s silence only made Lacey more suspicious. She assumed there might be some conflict between Landon and Leila. Why else would Leila leave the country so suddenly after hearing the fake news of Landon’s death? And why hadn’t Leila even held a funeral for him?
Lacey was itching to give Landon a heads-up, but she hesitated. It felt wrong to interfere in his personal life. All she could do was drop subtle hints and hope he caught on.
But Landon wasn’t picking up on it. “I can’t find her just yet,” Landon explained. “I’ve got some unfinished business to take care of first. Once that’s settled, I’ll go to her.”
The thought of Leila and their three kids softened Landon’s expression. Landon was usually a closed book when it came to his feelings, but he didn’t even try to hide how much he loved and missed Leila. “I miss her like hell. She’s the only thing that’s kept me going these past few days.”
Landon had been doing some digging and uncovered some disturbing information. He discovered that several members of the Morgan family were currently working within the Kensington Group. Landon suspected Clayton had probably convinced Leila that he was looking after the Kensington Group for her while she was away.
But in reality, Clayton was keeping tabs on Landon. If Landon showed up in Burmoos, Clayton would know instantly. That would make it nearly impossible for Landon to get close to Leila.
Landon’s deep love for Leila was driving Lacey crazy. She couldn’t keep it in any longer and blurted out, “Mr. Kensington, don’t you think it’s weird that your wife and Clayton went abroad at the same time? What’s that about?”
Landon’s eyes narrowed. “What are you getting at?”
Lacey felt a nervous flutter in her stomach. Under Landon’s intense stare, her words caught in her throat, and her palms started to sweat. But she pushed through her fear. “I think it’s pretty damn obvious,” she said. “I just hope you’re not fooling yourself.”
Bang! The bowl of medicine slipped from Landon’s grasp and shattered on the floor. He hadn’t meant to break it. He’d just jumped to his feet so quickly that he’d knocked it over.
But Landon didn’t even seem to notice. He was staring at Lacey, his eyes cold and hard.
“Lacey, I know you’re worried about me, and I appreciate that,” Landon said, his voice tight. “But you’ve got my wife all wrong.”
Lacey’s heart sank. Landon didn’t seem to care about all the trouble she’d gone through for him. She felt a surge of anger and frustration. She was about to blurt out everything she’d been keeping inside.
But Lacey took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. She looked down, trying to hide her disappointment.
Landon’s expression softened slightly. “My wife means everything to me,” he said more gently. “I hope you can understand.”
Jeanette, sensing the tension between them, suddenly started to cry. “Landon, don’t fight with Lacey! She almost got hurt when she was finding those herbs for you!”
“Jeanette, be quiet!” Lacey hissed, trying to cover Jeanette’s mouth, but it was too late. The words were already out.
Landon looked at Lacey in surprise. “You got hurt?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.
Lacey instinctively hid her hand behind her back. “It was nothing,” she mumbled. “I’m fine.”
“It wasn’t nothing!” Jeanette sobbed. “A snake bit her when she was looking for that herb! She only knew what to do because she knows a lot about herbs. She could have died! And after all that, you just spilled the medicine! You’re mean to her! You’re a bad guy!” Jeanette’s cries filled the room. Landon felt a headache coming on. He took a deep breath and looked at Lacey, his eyes filled with remorse.
“Lacey,” Landon said, his voice low and sincere. “I had no idea you risked so much for me. I promise, once I get back…”
Landon hesitated and then continued, his voice smooth, “Whatever your heart desires, Lacey, I can provide it. Money, influence, or anything you want. Just name it. I could even help you establish your own hospital or clinic.” Lacey’s initial excitement quickly evaporated, replaced by a wave of disappointment. Was that the best he could offer? Material possessions held no allure for her. All she craved was companionship, an end to the loneliness that had plagued her for so long.
But those words remained trapped in Lacey’s throat. She knew voicing her true desires would only push Landon further away. Landon, with his unwavering devotion to his wife, would undoubtedly reject her. His heart belonged to his wife entirely. How she wished she could have his devotion.
Landon pondered his situation. Inaction was not an option. He needed to make a move, preferably contact Edgar, before Clayton’s return.
With newfound resolve, Landon decided to be upfront with Lacey. “I must return to Burmoos. Thank you for taking me in during this period.”
Lacey’s heart sank. “You’re going back? Now?” she questioned, anxiety creeping into her voice. “But I thought you said it wasn’t the right time.”
Landon’s expression was as impassive and cold as the night that enveloped them. “I can’t avoid it forever. I might as well confront it head-on.”
Lacey’s voice was firm, despite the tremor of anxiety that ran through her. “Then I’m going with you.” Jeanette, her tears freshly dried, spoke up with unexpected determination. “I want to go too,” she declared.
Landon’s brow furrowed in disapproval. “This isn’t a holiday,” he said sharply. “We have no connection. You shouldn’t tag along with me. If you’re concerned I won’t honor my promise, I can write you a formal agreement right now.”
Lacey’s face drained of color, her lips quivering with a mixture of hurt and anger. “Do you really think that’s why we want to come with you?” Her voice cracked with emotion. “Landon, what kind of person do you think I am?” Each word amplified Lacey’s sense of injustice and betrayal. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over.
Landon watched as Lacey’s tears flowed, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before hardening into a frown. He fought back the urge to snap at her and tell her to stop that infernal crying. Landon had always despised it when women wept in his presence. Leila, of course, was the sole exception.
Now, as Lacey’s tears fell, Landon found himself enduring her outburst. After all, she had saved his life. The least he could do was show a little patience. He pushed down the irritation rising within him and forced his voice to soften. “Miss Payne, I didn’t intend to upset you. But if you follow me to Burmoos, you’ll be putting yourself in danger. There’s no need for you to risk your safety for my sake.”
Lacey’s tears subsided. She stubbornly averted her gaze, her heart pounding in her chest. Could it be that he genuinely cared? Lacey declared, her voice thick with emotion, “My sister and I are not afraid of any risks.”
Lacey had regained her composure. “Jeanette and I can’t stay here forever. Our future lies with you, in Burmoos. Besides, Jeanette worries about you being all alone.”
Jeanette nodded vigorously. “Yes, Landon,” she chimed in. “I’m worried you’ll get hurt. We’ll both worry.”
Landon’s gaze fell upon Jeanette, and for a fleeting moment, he saw Elma’s image superimposed on the young girl. He sighed, resigned. “Very well then. Have it your way.” Landon understood Lacey’s desire to tag along, but he had already made up his mind. Once he had settled his affairs in Burmoos, he would establish a hospital for Lacey. It was the most fitting way he could think of to repay his debt to her. Besides, Lacey was more than capable of running it. It would be a shame for her medical talent to go to waste.
Elsewhere, Leila and Sophie returned to the hotel, only to be greeted by a scene of utter chaos. A gang of intimidating-looking men, clearly not from around there and with a distinctly menacing air about them, had stormed into the lobby and systematically destroyed everything in sight.
Terrified guests scattered in all directions, seeking refuge from the mayhem.
The hotel manager rushed in, his face pale with fear. The moment he saw the destruction and the men responsible, he practically prostrated himself before them.
Sophie cowered behind her mother, her eyes wide with fear.
Leila protectively pulled Sophie closer, her gaze sweeping across the terrified faces of the onlookers. A flicker of confusion crossed her features.
“Why isn’t anyone calling the police?” she wondered aloud.
“These thugs are trashing this place!”
The manager continued to grovel before the gang, making no move to reach for his phone.
A man nearby shook his head in despair. “Calling the cops won’t do any good with these guys. Even if the police arrive and scare them off, they’ll just come back later with a vengeance.”
Fear hung heavy in the air. Leila, a sudden realization dawning on her, asked, “Are those guys part of some kind of gang?”
The man’s eyes widened in terror, and he frantically gestured for her to be quiet. “Shhh! Keep your voice down! Didn’t you see the tattoos on their arms? Those tattoos represent the devil himself. They’re definitely gang members. Don’t just stand there gawking! Get out of here, and get out fast! Those guys are armed. If they hurt you, you won’t get any justice for it.”