Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
The warmth disappeared from his face, replaced by a cold mask.
A spark of possibility ignited inside her.
This could be her chance.
Just as Clayton was beginning to regain his strength, Cody dropped a bombshell: he was going to throw a lavish birthday party.
Leila was stunned.
She’d heard rumours of Cody’s deteriorating health.
He had even spent a week in intensive care at the height of his illness.
Yet here he was, planning an extravagant celebration despite his delicate condition.
Cody had never struck her as someone who enjoyed social gatherings.
Leila voiced her concerns, suggesting that Clayton should refrain from attending.
Clayton was recovering, but surely rest was more important than a party.
But Clayton was determined and would not listen to arguments.
Clayton’s motives were a mystery to most, but Leila could see it clearly.
The realisation made her head throb with a sharp pain.
He had already given his word, and he could not go back on his promises.
She thought that once they arrived at the party together, no one would believe any explanation they might give later.
It would be like trying to convince people that the sky wasn’t blue.
Freya was excited when she heard that Clayton would be at the party.
She arrived early and waited by the door, practically jumping with anticipation.
She was completely surprised when Clayton showed up with Leila on his arm.
Rumors online said that Clayton and Leila were a couple, but Freya had refused to believe it.
Freya clung to a sliver of hope, but when she saw Clayton and Leila holding hands, that hope was completely dashed.
Clayton and Leila walked past Freya, and Clayton didn’t even acknowledge her presence.
He acted as if she was invisible.
Freya was furious and unleashed her anger on Leila.
‘You said you had three kids and you weren’t interested in dating or getting married, but here you are, showing up with him! Don’t you feel at least a little bad for lying to everyone, for letting your kids down?’
Leila had expected Freya’s snide remarks, so she simply ignored her.
Clayton, however, gave her a cold stare.
‘I treat Leila’s children as if they were my own.
And let’s get one thing straight: I was the one who courted her.
I knew from the beginning that she had three children.
If you have a problem with our relationship, take it up with me, not her.’
Clayton’s every word was a shield for Leila.
He was determined to defend her.
Freya’s face was twisted with rage.
She shot Leila a venomous look.
‘Look at him! What the hell did you do to him? Did you give him a love potion? You got him wrapped around your finger, I’ll give you that.
But I’m warning you, you’re going to break his heart.
And when that happens, you’ll regret it.’
Leila remained silent.
She looked at Clayton, her expression expression expressionless.
A whirlwind of emotions swirled in her eyes.
Their relationship was just an act, a carefully constructed facade.
He could tell Clayton wished that act was all real.
However, accepting Clayton’s love was simply not an option.
His heart was destined to be broken.
‘Easy,’ Clayton said, noticing Leila’s worried expression.
He offered her a small comforting smile.
‘In the end, it’s my decision.’
‘Even if things go south, I won’t hold it against you.
I knew what I was getting into when I made up my mind.’
Freya, unable to stand the humiliation a minute longer, turned and stormed away.
Everything happened as Clayton and Leila expected.
Clayton and Leila’s arrival at the party, holding hands, caused quite a stir.
All eyes were on them.
Their relationship, though unspoken, was evident to all present.
No one dared to say a derogatory word towards Leila.
Instead, they offered congratulations, eager to get closer.
After all, both Leila and Clayton were forces to be reckoned with in their own right.
Together, their influence was almost untouchable.
The knowing glances and sly smiles of the other guests began to irritate Leila.
She could take it no more and finally decided to confront Clayton.
‘So, when are we going to clear it up?’ she asked, her voice strained with frustration.