Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Freya’s response was a throaty chuckle, as if Clayton had just told her a hilarious joke. “Oh, Clayton, you must have heard a bit of hearsay about me, right? Do you really think I’m afraid of that? When I want something, I get it, one way or another. If I face any challenges, well, I won’t mind adopting some tactics to have things my way.”
Clayton’s breath quickened, his anger and frustration palpable even through the phone. “Fine.” He finally conceded. “I’ll be there soon.”
Freya ended the call and handed the phone back to Leila, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“So, you’re a Nixon?” Freya scoffed. “I doubt it. I’ve never seen your face at any of their fancy gatherings.”
Leila met her gaze, unfazed. “Clayton himself confirmed it. Why would he lie about who I am?”
Freya’s smirk widened, dripping with sarcasm. “Fine. I give you credit for being a Nixon. Sure, I wouldn’t dare lay a finger on a Nixon. But you seem on bad terms with the rest of the Nixon family. Since you’ve messed with me, you better pray you never end up in my mercy.”
Leila frowned, confusion clouding her features. “Miss Acosta, I honestly have no idea how I’ve pissed you off.”
Freya’s smile was cold. “Stop pretending. I like Clayton. Yet, something is going on between you and him. That alone has messed with me!”
Leila found her words absurd. “I’ve told you before, I don’t like him. We’re just friends.”
Freya didn’t have a response, her silent anger only building. Frustration gnawed at her, making the situation even more uncomfortable. Leila wasn’t just a mother of three. She repeatedly claimed her lack of interest in Clayton and seemed to mean her words.
Freya couldn’t understand what Clayton saw in Leila, and it was painfully clear that Leila held his attention. Clayton’s protective stance toward Leila suggested that if Freya acted recklessly against her, it would undoubtedly provoke Clayton’s wrath.
At this thought, Freya’s gaze on Leila chilled further. Yet, instead of acting out, she just waved dismissively. “Leave now.”
Freya was convinced that she could win Clayton’s heart over Leila’s.
Leila, unfazed, picked up Sophie and took her upstairs. The rest was for Clayton to handle.
Hours passed. At midnight, Leila heard a knock at the door. Opening it, she was surprised to find Clayton standing there.
Clayton looked worn out, clearly having dealt with Freya. “Don’t worry,” he said, managing a weary smile. “She won’t bother you again.”
“It’s alright. I know it’s not your fault,” Leila replied softly. After all, if her handbag hadn’t been snatched by those gangsters, Clayton wouldn’t have intervened on her behalf and later attracted Freya’s attention. She planned to leave this place right after Sophie’s competition.
Leila thought for a moment before saying, “If there’s nothing else, you should go get some rest.” She moved to close the door.
“Leila,” Clayton called out, his eyes holding a trace of hope. “Could you do me a favor?”
Leila nodded. “We’re friends, and I owe you. Just say it. You don’t need to be so polite.”
Clayton cleared his throat, looking slightly uncomfortable. “You probably noticed that Freya has feelings for me, but she’s not exactly a good person. My company has deals with several major firms in the city. If I offend the gang behind Freya, I doubt my goods will leave the port safely. This gang wields significant influence here.”
Leila didn’t doubt his words, as she knew a bit about the situation in this city. She frowned, analyzing. “Are you worried they’ll make things difficult for you? But with the resources we have, we can’t take them head-on.”
Clayton shook his head. “No, they haven’t done anything major yet. Just some underhanded tactics messing with my company’s operations under Freya’s directives. I could cope with it if it were just occasional, but they have targeted my company consistently. Freya is the type who won’t stop until she gets what she wants, and she’s pulling all these stunts just to force me to her side. I need her to stop having feelings for me, and I need this nonsense to end.”
Leila’s heart skipped a beat as she listened, a suspicion forming. “You want me to pretend to be your girlfriend, so she’ll back off?”
Clayton nodded, quickly adding, “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I’m out of options.
My focus hasn’t been on the company lately, and the company couldn’t afford to lose the deals.
Furthermore, it’s best not to mess with local gangs. You know most of Morgan Group’s businesses are cross-border.”
Leila tightened her grip on the doorframe, her expression turning cold. “Mr. Morgan, you know I won’t agree to this just for business reasons,” she said firmly.
Clayton wasn’t surprised by her reaction, but a hint of bitterness tugged at his smile. “Leila, if there were any other way, I wouldn’t be putting you in this position.”
Seeing the troubled look on his face, Leila’s resolve wavered. She figured she was partly responsible for Freya’s interest in Clayton. Without Clayton’s timely intervention in reclaiming her handbag-which included the invitation to Sophie’s piano competition, an opportunity that only came once every five years-Sophie would have had to wait another five years for such a crucial chance.
Leila hesitated. “It’s not that I’m unwilling, but I already told Freya there’s nothing between us. If we show up together pretending to be a couple, she won’t believe us.”
Clayton’s face brightened with hope. “So, you’re willing to help me, right?”
Leila bit her lip. “If we’re merely putting on an act and later clarifying things, then I am on board. After all, you’re in this predicament partly because of me.”
Clayton’s smile grew brighter, visibly relieved. “You won’t have to worry about anything else. I’ve worked with Freya’s father before. We’re not close, but we know each other. There’s a banquet at their villa soon. If you come with me as my date, it’ll make him think we’re together. Then, I’ll reject Freya publicly. With her father there, she won’t make a scene.”
Leila sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. “That sounds like our only option.”
Clayton quickly reassured her, “After the banquet, I’ll make sure to find a chance to tell everyone we’ve broken up, so it won’t cause you any trouble.”
Leila nodded. “Thank you. I’m a mother of three. I don’t want anything like this to affect them.”
Clayton nodded his understanding and asked, “Can I see Elma?”
Leila didn’t refuse.
Elma had been playing all day and had just finished her bath. She was lying on the sofa, looking sleepy. The other children had already gone to bed, but Elma was still waiting for Leila to join her.
Ever since Elma returned to Leila’s side, she had clung to Leila practically 24/7, relishing the motherly love she hadn’t experienced when she was younger. She longed to make every minute memorable and slowly forget her previous suffering.
Leila never grew impatient with such closeness from Elma, more than willing to spend quality time with her daughter.
Noticing that Elma was about to slip off the sofa, Leila stepped forward and gently scooped her up, settling her into her arms.
Elma snuggled closer, finding comfort in Leila’s embrace. Clayton crouched down, meeting Elma’s eyes. “Elma, it’s me. I came to visit you,” he said softly.
Elma’s eyes brightened. “Uncle!”
Clayton reached out to gently touch her head. Then, after a moment of thought, he said, “Don’t call me uncle anymore. Call me Clayton instead.”
Elma pouted. “Why? Don’t you like me anymore?”
Leila chimed in, “She’s used to calling you that. In her heart, you’re her uncle.”
Clayton paused, his hand still resting on Elma’s head. He shook his head lightly. “She has a real uncle. I’m not him, and I shouldn’t take that place.”
A brief shadow passed over Leila’s expression.
Elma glanced between Leila and Clayton, then shook her head resolutely. “No. Clayton, you’re my uncle in my heart.”
Leila’s face lit up with a smile, gently squeezing Elma’s cheek.
Leila said to Clayton, “It’s wonderful that she recognizes your kindness. Just let her address you in the same way. Though you’re not blood-related, fate has chosen you as her uncle.”
Since Leila had said so, Clayton found it hard to object. He quickly looked for an excuse to leave.
As Clayton departed, Elma wrapped her arms around Leila and looked up at her with curious eyes. “Mom, are you not fond of Clayton? If that’s the case, I won’t go see him as often.”
Leila chuckled. “Oh, it’s not that I’m not fond of him, sweetie. I just prefer maintaining some distance. You shouldn’t neglect others on my account. Remember, he has been kind to you. As long as you feel right about it, he remains your uncle.”
Elma nodded, her understanding dawning on her as a yawn escaped her lips. “Mom, I’m really sleepy now.”
“Alright, let’s get you to bed,” Leila said, lifting Elma up in her arms.
The day of the big performance arrived swiftly. Sophie, despite having been in numerous events and major contests, felt the familiar stir of nerves.
Leila and the other two children were there to support Sophie.
Calvin and Elma buzzed excitedly around Sophie.
“Don’t worry. It’ll all go smoothly.”
“You’re a genius at playing the piano. You’re the best in my heart.”