Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila squirmed, but Landon’s hold was firm, leaving her no escape. She tried every trick she could think of, but Landon remained immovable.
Amid the intensity of it all, the rapid sound of her own breath and her heart pounding filled Leila’s ears, drowning out everything else. Her mind emptied until everything faded into a dizzy hum.
Then, suddenly, she felt warmth in her eyes. A tear slipped down her cheek, unbidden. Maybe it was the heat of that tear, but Landon froze, as if jolted by an electric shock.
He pulled back, staring at her, dazed, unsure of his actions. His gaze softened when he saw her tear-streaked face, full of wounded disbelief, and a pang of regret struck his heart.
Leila’s cheeks flushed, caught between embarrassment and hurt. Her lips appeared slightly swollen and glistening from his kiss.
Landon’s gaze deepened on her lips, his Adam’s apple moving up and down in restraint.
Leila let out a shaky cough, her voice a little hoarse but resolute. “Landon, I’ll assume you’re just drunk. Let me go, or I’m calling the police.”
Landon stayed silent, stepping closer to Leila without a word. His eyes intensified as he leaned closer, his handsome face inches from hers.
Leila instinctively backed away until her shoulders met the cold wall behind her. The chill of the wall jolted her back to her senses. She freed her hands and pressed them firmly to his chest, ready to push him away.
But just as she braced herself to shove him, Landon suddenly leaned in, capturing her lips in another kiss. This time, his kiss was different. It was no longer fierce or overpowering, but tender and gentle, like a whisper against her skin.
Leila stood frozen, her mind swirling in a daze as if she had slipped into some dream. She couldn’t deny that, after everything, part of her still loved him. After all these years of shared struggles and raising children, their familiar connection from the past washed over her, as though no time had passed. For that fleeting moment, it felt like they had gone back in time, to when they were still together. Leila almost believed Landon might still care.
Now, Leila’s gaze turned somber. She waited, silently watching Landon, hoping for an answer.
Landon met Leila’s questioning stare, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. What had he been thinking? Why did he feel such an uncontrollable pull toward her?
Lacey leaned in and whispered, “Landon, remember? She almost got you killed. Is this really the woman you want to be with?”
Landon instinctively opened his mouth to argue, but the memory hit him like a punch. He recalled the betrayal, the forced leap off the cliff. Clayton had shown him the official death certificate, signed in Leila’s unmistakable hand. There was no escaping the truth.
The pain, buried so deep for so long, rose to the surface, tearing at him. He pressed his teeth into his lip, the rush of anger and bitterness slicing through his confusion, sharpening his thoughts and bringing clarity.
Landon drew in a steadying breath and then turned to face Leila. In the weight of her expectant gaze, Landon stated, “Whatever just happened is because I drank too much and mistook you for someone else. I hope next time, Miss Nixon, you can push me away. Though I’m not sure what your intentions are.”
The wariness and suspicion in Landon’s eyes sent a pang through Leila’s heart, leaving her feeling shattered. She wanted to tell him that he had been the one to barge in, holding her against her will, but decided there was no point in explaining. After all, Landon had claimed he was drunk and that it was the only reason he’d lost control and kissed her. He hadn’t meant to kiss her.
Leila kept her composure on the surface, but inside, her heart ached. She knew she shouldn’t have let herself trust this man again, nor should she have clung to even a sliver of hope. For a fleeting moment, Leila felt an urge to ask Landon if he’d somehow mistaken her for Lacey. Yet, as the words hovered on her lips, she couldn’t bring herself to voice them. It was definitely a disappointing answer, one that made her feel asking would be pointless.
Leila’s gaze turned icy, her tone sharp. “No need for that look, Mr. Kensington. I booked this room to handle business, but you barged in and did things to me that… You’re the one who should apologize. As for your concerns, I believe they’re entirely unnecessary. I have a boyfriend now, so I wouldn’t mess around with other men.”
Leila said this to cling to the last shred of her dignity.
Beneath the faint glow of the lights, Leila failed to notice the eerie red that crept into Landon’s eyes as her words echoed in the air. Landon’s hands balled into tight fists. Leila had just openly declared Clayton as her boyfriend? What did that make of him? Emotions surged within Landon, a tumultuous wave of feelings he couldn’t contain. Struggling to maintain his composure, he stifled a groan, his body beginning to sway. A sudden heat washed over him.
Lacey was quick to steady Landon, her arms offering support as she shot a taunting smile toward Leila. “Miss Nixon, apologies, but we’ll need to use your room for a moment. I’ll compensate you later.”
Leila’s pride stung sharply. She bit her lip, her response cold. “No need.” With a swift turn, Leila walked out, but a pull of curiosity made her glance back. Through the door left slightly open, she saw Landon and Lacey locked in an embrace. Landon’s strong arms encircled Lacey’s delicate form, the two of them a seemingly perfect pair. A fresh wave of pain clutched Leila’s heart, and tears began to flow once more. She hastily averted her gaze. She inhaled sharply and hastened her steps to depart.
Lacey remained by Landon’s side, drawing comfort from the strength of his embrace. The subtle fragrance of his presence enveloped her, filling her with a sense of profound joy. For once, Landon didn’t pull back, letting her stay close instead. Encouraged, Lacey clung tighter to his waist. Yet, she yearned for more.
Rising on her toes, she leaned in, hoping to steal a kiss. But as their lips were about to meet, Landon snapped out of his reverie and thrust Lacey aside. His shove sent her crashing against the table’s edge, pain sparking tears that flooded her eyes. She started to sob, murmuring, “It hurts.” Landon, however, didn’t even spare her a glance, his breaths heavy and uneven. He wasn’t a fool. The strange weight pressing on him was unmistakable. The sound of Lacey’s sobs grated on his nerves. Narrowing his eyes, he snapped, “Be quiet!”
Lacey’s heart skipped a beat at his cold command, and unease washed over her as she knew the torment he was in. Silently, she sealed her lips. Landon’s breaths came slow and deliberate, each one peeling away the edge of his frustration until he finally regained control. Casting a glance at Lacey’s crumpled form on the floor, he commanded, “Get out.”
Lacey’s eyes darted about. She staggered to her feet, masking her anxiety with feigned concern. “Mr. Kensington, you seem under the weather. Do you want Leo to drive you to the hospital? I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Earlier, I assumed you might’ve been drunk. I mean nothing else, really.”
When Lacey mentioned the hospital, Landon’s suspicion of her waned slightly. Perhaps he wasn’t drugged. He might have overthought it. Probably, it was the alcohol, coupled with Leila’s presence, that had disrupted his composure.
Landon shakily sat back on the sofa. He said without looking at Lacey, “There’s nothing more for you here. Go and call Leo over.” Lacey nodded, a subtle exhale of relief escaping her as she left the room. Anxiety gnawed at her. She had underestimated Landon’s ability to maintain his composure. She hadn’t dared to use more than a trace of the drug, the looming threat of exposure weighing heavily on her mind. This time, her plan crumbled. She could only hope that her actions hadn’t aroused his suspicions.
Leo promptly appeared at Landon’s side, observing Landon’s frazzled demeanor with growing concern. “Mr. Kensington, are you all right?” he inquired with a furrowed brow, his voice tinged with worry. Landon massaged his temples. “I need to get to the hospital.” Leo gave a nod of understanding. However, just as Leo was about to make the necessary arrangements, Landon abruptly changed his mind. “Actually, forget it. Let’s not go to the hospital.”
Leo, baffled, looked at Landon with concern. He attempted to reason with him. “Mr. Kensington, if you’re feeling unwell, it really is best to consult a doctor. Moreover, I’ve noticed some odd behavior from Lacey. She may be involved in this.”
Landon dismissed the suspicion with a wave of his hand. “It might not be Lacey. If she had any harmful intentions, she could have acted much sooner.”
“There’s no reason for her to wait until now. Maybe it’s just because I saw that woman today…” His voice trailed off, tinged with a hint of sadness. Leo missed the nuance in his tone. With a puzzled look, he inquired, “Saw who?” Landon cleared his throat, deciding against further explanation. “Never mind. Just drive me back home.”
Lacey hovered by the door, her fingers gripping the edge of the frame. As Landon’s car finally pulled away from the bar, she exhaled a long, shaky breath of relief. With a calculated move, Lacey left a conspicuous mark on her neck, snapped a photograph, and sent it to Leila. “Miss Nixon, I trust the message is clear. Please, stay out of my life with Landon. We’re managing just fine. Despite the day’s events, I won’t be questioning him. He’s lost interest in you. If he touched you, it was surely because he was drunk and mistook you for me.”
Leila arrived home just in time to catch this message. A slight frown marred her features. She was tired of feeling down. Without a flicker of emotion, she promptly erased the message. After a moment of contemplation, Leila decisively removed every trace of Lacey’s contact information from her phone.
Lacey, bombarding Leila with messages, quickly noticed Leila’s stony silence. A smug grin spread slowly across Lacey’s face, her irritation fading into a wave of malicious satisfaction. Leila was probably furious, proof that her feelings were far from detached. Leila’s calm exterior was a facade. Beneath it, she seemed anything but composed.
Lacey wished that the distance between Leila and Landon deepened day by day. Even if Landon harbored any hopes of mending their bond, Leila was resolute in her refusal. If this continued, Landon’s pride would only harden, making it impossible for him to reach out to Leila again.
Lacey acknowledged a bitter truth about herself. She had evolved into the very kind of woman she once loathed. Despite this, she harbored no regrets, believing firmly in the righteousness of her transformation. She believed that Leila hadn’t truly appreciated Landon’s affection in the past and had no right to act as if she couldn’t let go of him. Lacey figured Leila only aimed to exploit Landon’s social standing, all while her heart was divided, secretly entangled with another.
As for her own actions, Lacey justified them by telling herself she couldn’t bear to let Landon fall prey to any snares. She believed there was nothing wrong with what she had done.
Upon returning home, Leila wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone, including her three children. After escaping into the solitude of a hot shower, she collapsed onto her bed. The room was dark, the silence thick, yet her mind replayed vivid scenes of her embraces with Landon, each image piercing her heart with renewed pain. She felt an overwhelming urge to flee and find solace away from these torments.
Her thoughts drifted to Brysen, whom she hadn’t visited in two years. The chaos of her life had kept her away. A couple of years ago, Neal had kept Leila connected to Brysen through photos showing her recovery, each one showcasing Brysen’s beaming smile, which deepened Leila’s trust in Neal. But the truth was less optimistic. Brysen’s condition had largely remained unchanged. She was still trapped in her own world, barely responsive but slightly more aware of her surroundings.
All Leila wanted was for Brysen to find peace and live without burdens.
Leila’s lips curved into a sly smile as she resolved to surprise Brysen by showing up without any prior notice.
The following morning, Leila had already set off. She chose not to take the children with her, as they were all deeply engaged in their studies. Besides, they had grown, and although they remained close, they were no longer as dependent on her as they once had been. Moreover, Neal’s hometown was somewhat secluded, making the journey there long and exhausting, not ideal for the children.
Leila had kept her travel plans a secret from Clayton. By now, only her loyalists remained in the Nixon Group. Those Clayton had appointed were subtly removed by her under various pretexts. She harbored no ill intentions; she merely sought to avoid any complications with Clayton concerning her professional affairs.
When Clayton visited Leila, he discovered her absence. He hastily texted her, and she replied curtly, claiming to have gone for an outing to unwind. Remembering Landon’s unexpected return to Burmoos just days earlier, Clayton quickly pieced together the reason for Leila’s sulking mood and felt a pang of displeasure. She was evidently still preoccupied with thoughts of Landon.
Fortunately, due to his previous manipulation, the misunderstandings between them made a reunion unlikely. Clayton expressed his concern for Leila’s safety and discreetly instructed his subordinates with a stern command, “Locate Leila’s whereabouts immediately. I’m concerned about her being out there alone.”
“Understood, Mr. Morgan.”
The following morning, Lacey received an invitation to visit the Kensington family estate. Leila had moved out from the estate years ago, taking the children with her. Although the Kensington family estate was no longer their home, Leila ensured it was maintained immaculately each year, holding onto the hope that Landon might one day return. She never anticipated, however, that when Landon did come back, he would be a changed man.
Upon discovering that Leila was no longer residing there but made sure it was kept neat, Landon said nothing. He simply began moving his belongings back into the villa. He declared that his return wasn’t because this place once held the memories of his past with Leila, but solely because it had been his home, his longing for its familiarity evident.
At Landon’s invitation for a meeting, anxiety washed over Lacey. She wondered whether he aimed to confront her about drugging him. Nervously, Lacey waited in the living room for what seemed like an eternity until a servant finally approached and escorted her to the study on the second floor.
As Lacey ascended the stairs, her eyes were drawn to a room near the study. With a glance at its door, she could tell it was opulently furnished. Curiosity piqued, she paused and inquired, “Why is the door locked?”
The servant, a longtime employee of the Kensington household, recognized the room instantly. “Mrs. and Mr. Kensington used to stay there. Mr. Kensington has decided not to use it for the time being and requested that everything be preserved as it is, keeping it locked to avoid any damage.”
Lacey’s demeanor shifted abruptly, her eyes icing over. “What Mrs.Kensington? Leila and Landon have been divorced for ages, haven’t they? How can you still call her Mrs. Kensington? Doesn’t that risk upsetting Mr. Kensington?”
The servant met Lacey’s gaze with a calm, unbothered expression. “Why would Mr. Kensington be upset? Everyone still refers to her as Mrs. Kensington. Despite their divorce, she remains Mrs. Kensington to us. If this troubles you, you might consider raising it with Mr. Kensington himself. We wouldn’t mind it.”
Throughout the years of Landon’s absence, Leila had ensured the house was maintained by hiring people to clean it regularly. She hadn’t dismissed any of the staff. Those who chose to stay were guaranteed their positions and salaries. Leila aimed to preserve the familiar ambiance of the times she and Landon had shared there.
The servants were grateful. Leila’s actions had secured their livelihoods. Otherwise, many would have been forced to seek employment elsewhere. Given Landon’s notorious past, positions outside the Kensington household would have been hard to come by.
Initially, the staff had been uneasy about Leila’s inability to speak, but as time passed, her genuine care won them over, solidifying her status in their hearts as Mrs. Kensington. Furthermore, in Landon’s presence, they consistently addressed Leila as Mrs.Kensington.”
Landon’s expression was complicated, yet he didn’t get angry, signaling his silent consent.
The servant’s demeanor infuriated Lacey. It wasn’t merely how the servants addressed Leila that irked her, but rather Landon’s dismissive stance. He seemed intent on preserving every fragment of his past with Leila. What was he trying to suggest by this? Could he be harboring hopes of a reconciliation with Leila one day? Would all of her painstaking efforts then be rendered pointless?
While Landon might claim he no longer harbored feelings toward Leila, Lacey saw through his facade. Landon was always adept at masking his feelings. His love for Leila was so profound that he couldn’t fully hide it. A wave of regret washed over Lacey. Perhaps she was wrong to drive Landon to despise Leila. His hatred was born out of love. The deeper Landon’s hatred for Leila grew, the more it spiraled out of control.
Lacey surmised she had made a mistake. It would have been wiser if she had let Leila and Landon’s bond fade on its own, instead of breeding resentment.