Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“He just doesn’t know how to talk to you or get along with you. But he loves you very much, Elma. He would never hurt you. Has he been good to you?”
Elma looked down, her voice barely a whisper.
“He’s been nice to me.”
“So, you can’t say things like that anymore,” Leila said firmly.
“Besides, it’s not like you’ll never go back home. You’re just staying here for a little while. After a month, even if you don’t want to go home, I’ll come and take you back.”.
Landon, hearing their conversation, stood frozen in surprise. He had expected Leila to use this opportunity to poison Elma’s mind against him. Instead, to his astonishment, she was defending him.
A wave of conflicting emotions washed over Landon. As he watched Leila’s gentle smile and heard her kind words, his heart pounded in his chest.
Leila persisted, gently coaxing Elma until she finally relented. Elma had another motive for agreeing. She wanted to keep a close watch on her father. She wouldn’t let him be with that awful woman, Lacey.
Once they had an understanding, Elma insisted on sealing the deal with a pinky promise.
With the fickle nature of children, Elma’s mood quickly brightened. She grabbed Leila’s hand and dragged her over to Landon.
“I have one more condition. Both of you have to have a meal with me today. If you don’t, I’ll be naughty for a whole month and keep begging to go home,” she declared.
Elma tilted her chin up defiantly, hands planted on her hips, looking adorable yet determined. Her large, expressive eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Elma…” Landon began, hesitant.
“Sweetheart,” Leila interrupted.
“It’s not really appropriate for your dad and me to have a meal together.”
Elma’s face fell.
“Why not? Other kids get to eat with their parents. Why can’t I?” she whined.
Leila paused, considering her words.
“Well, you see, your dad and I are already sep-“
Before Leila could utter the word “separated,” Landon clamped his hand over her mouth and whisked her away.
They stumbled into an empty room, the door clicking shut behind them.
Landon’s grip was firm, and Leila couldn’t wriggle free. Once they were alone, Landon finally released her.
Leila’s cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes flashing with indignation. But her anger was more adorable than intimidating, like a kitten with its fur on end.
The memory of Leila’s soft lips against his hand sent a strange jolt through Landon. He quickly pushed the thought aside, clearing his throat and schooling his features into a stern expression.
“Don’t ever say things like that in front of the children again. They’re too young to understand. It’s not good for them.”
Leila smirked.
“Do you really think hiding it from them is doing them any good? It’s the truth, Landon. What’s the point of keeping it a secret? It’s best to be upfront about it. The kids are more perceptive than you think. They’ve already picked up on what’s going on between us.”
Leila’s eyes were clear and untroubled, as if she were discussing the weather rather than the dissolution of her marriage. Clearly, none of this seemed to faze her.
Landon’s voice grew heavy with displeasure.
“Even if that’s the case, now’s not the time to tell them. Elma just started to cope with everything. What if this upsets her all over again? Can you be here for her every single day?”
Leila misinterpreted his words, assuming he was trying to get rid of her. And she couldn’t blame him. Her presence was undoubtedly a strain on both Landon and Lacey.
“Alright, I get it,” Leila replied with a bitter laugh.
At that moment, a knock echoed from the other side of the door.
“Dad? Mom?” Elma’s small voice called out.
“What are you doing in there? Why is the door locked?”
Elma was trying her best to peek through the window, but she was too short to reach. She had a feeling that her parents were finally going to patch things up. And it seemed like she might be right, which was a good thing.
Leila and Landon quickly regained their composure.
Leila opened the door and scooped Elma into her arms.
“Alright, sweetheart. Since you want to eat together, I’ll go and get things ready.”
Elma’s eyes lit up.
“Don’t forget my brother and sister!” she chirped.
“We’re a family, and families eat together!”
“Okay,” Leila agreed, gently tapping Elma’s nose.
The word “family” struck a chord within Landon, awakening a deep longing inside him. Family… A family of his own… With a wife and children gathered around him, it was a picture he could barely imagine. He would give anything, at this moment, to put aside all the hurt and bitterness and simply enjoy a meal with his family.
Once the time was set, Leila returned to fetch the children. The meal was arranged at a restaurant, but the atmosphere was far from the warm reunion Landon had imagined.
Among the five of them, only Elma seemed genuinely happy. Leila maintained a composed, neutral expression, while Calvin and Sophie regarded Landon with aloofness that stung, as if he were a stranger.
Calvin’s disdain was written all over his face. Stepping forward protectively, he tugged Elma behind him and warned, “Elma, be careful when you go out. Don’t get fooled by bad people.” Landon immediately recognized who Calvin was referring to.
Despite his anger, Landon could do nothing. He had previously interacted with Calvin and Sophie, but he and Calvin had never shared a proper father-son conversation.
Calvin’s childhood had been devoid of any paternal figure, yet he had grown into a younger mirror of Landon, not just in looks but in his unyielding temperament.
Seeing Calvin’s stubborn expression, Landon couldn’t help but be reminded of his own younger self.
Leila, clearly uncomfortable, broke the silence.
“Calvin, don’t be rude. This is your father. At least greet him.”
But for the first time, Calvin outright defied Leila’s words. He gave a quiet snort, his icy demeanor making his disapproval clear.
Leila glanced apologetically at Landon.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t tell him to behave like this. You know how kids are. They only grow close to those around them.”
Landon shifted his gaze away, speaking thoughtfully.
“I understand. I’m to blame for letting them down.”
Of everyone at the table, Sophie seemed the most conflicted. She had vivid memories of her parents’ once-loving relationship and the tender moments she’d shared with Landon. But she couldn’t understand why Landon and Leila had parted ways. For years, Sophie had witnessed Leila’s consistent search for Landon, her obsession with clinging to the hope that Landon was still alive, even to the point of consulting a therapist.
Now, as an older and more thoughtful teenager, Sophie couldn’t quite untangle her emotions toward her father. Before the group even sat down, she said to Leila, “Mom, I’m not feeling well. Can I please go home?”
Concern flashed across Leila’s face.
“Not feeling well? Where does it hurt? Should I take you to the hospital?”
Sophie cast a fleeting glance at Landon before looking away, her message clear.
Landon paused mid-sip of his coffee, feeling an uncomfortable weight settle in his chest. He didn’t want to pressure Sophie, so he forced a smile.