Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila felt Landon’s heart thumping wildly against her, a stark contrast to his usual aloof demeanor. She couldn’t get it. Why was his heartbeat so rapid now?
Out of everyone’s sight, Landon’s ears turned a shade of red, betraying his effort to appear calm. His lips remained a firm line, his smile restrained as their breaths mingled in the charged air between them.
Leila could feel the heat from Landon’s hand resting on her waist as if it were scorching her through her dress.
Elma observed her parents’ close interaction with a joyful heart. She was convinced of their undying affection for each other. Her memories were vivid with scenes of them risking everything for each other’s safety. Surely, the coldness between them now was just a misunderstanding. She staunchly rejected the thought that their love could have faded.
Calvin and Sophie, catching on to Elma’s hopeful intentions, exchanged knowing looks but tacitly chose not to do anything. Despite their reservations about Landon, deep down, they harbored hope for Leila and Landon’s reconciliation-not for any particular reason, but because it could restore Leila’s happiness.
Just as the photographer was about to instruct Leila and Landon into a more intimate pose, a knock echoed abruptly through the room. The door swung open, and Lacey dashed in.
Lacey hurried over, her voice cutting through the air with urgency.
“Mr. Kensington,” she called out.
Today, Lacey’s attire was unexpectedly formal, strikingly so. While not entirely out of place, her radiant elegance certainly made her stand out at the casual family gathering.
As Lacey made her way over to Landon, her intentions were unmistakable. She extended his suit jacket toward him, saying, “I thought you might feel chilly later on, so I brought over your coat.”
Landon couldn’t hide his surprise at Lacey’s unexpected appearance.
Leila, on the other hand, quickly perceived the true motive behind Lacey’s actions. With a scornful glance, she observed Lacey making a show of her closeness to Landon, as if to mark her territory.
This hit Leila like a wave, abruptly waking her from a serene dream into a chilling reality. Her expression turned icy in an instant. She straightened her posture, her tone unwavering.
“We’re finished with the photos now. I need to respond to a message. Please excuse me.”
Without another word, Leila headed for the door.
The children noticed Leila’s departure and instantly felt a tug to follow her. Yet, curiously, Calvin remained. With a frosty glare, he gazed at Lacey, his contempt evident in every line of his face.
Lacey inhaled deeply, mustering a strained smile as she turned to face Calvin.
“Calvin, did you need something? It seems your mom has already left.”
Calvin’s face twisted into a sneer.
“Sure, my mom’s walked away, but my dad’s still here. Is there a problem with me staying here? And why are you here? What business does an outsider like you have at our family event?”
A flicker of annoyance crossed Lacey’s features upon hearing Calvin’s biting words. Clenching her teeth, she retorted, “Outsider? Mr. Kensington knows perfectly well I’m not an outsider.” The tension between them was palpable, edging closer to an outright argument, when Landon, rubbing his temples with a growing headache, intervened.
“Calvin, could you step outside for a moment? I need a word with Lacey.”
Calvin’s expression hardened, his eyes cold and unforgiving.
“I’ve told you before, you’re no father to me,” he spat bitterly before storming out, the door banging shut with a reverberating slam that made Lacey jump.
Lacey pressed a hand to her chest, her voice tinged with exasperation.
“Mr. Kensington, just look at his temper. How did he end up so wild? If he had been raised under your roof, I’m sure he would have been a fine young man.”
Landon scoffed.
“So, enlighten me, what does a fine young man look like?”
Lacey sensed the rising ire in Landon’s tone and promptly sealed her lips.
As anticipated, Landon’s expression chilled over, his voice slicing through the air.
“How my son is educated is none of your business.”
Feeling unjustly chastised, Lacey nibbled on her lip and nodded with subdued caution.
“I apologize, Mr. Kensington. It won’t happen again.”
Landon narrowed the distance between them, his eyes piercing Lacey as though she were his prey.
“I had wanted to send you away to strip you of harboring any unsuitable thoughts. You had assured me time and again you wouldn’t. Yet, here you are, apparently deceiving me.”
Lacey’s frame shook as she hastened to defend herself.
“Mr. Kensington, I assure you, I wasn’t lying. I harbor no such intentions.”
“Really?” Landon’s eyes swept over Lacey from head to toe. There was no warmth or desire in his gaze, only a chilly assessment.
“So, why are you dressed like this? I may be a man, Lacey, but don’t think for a moment that I can’t see right through you.”
Landon continued, his voice firm, “I didn’t want to resort to such harsh words, but you are testing my patience. Let me make myself perfectly clear. My interest in a woman isn’t swayed by her attire, not even if she were to stand before me completely naked.”
The cruel bluntness of his declaration struck like a slap, leaving a sting that lingered in the air.
Tears welled up in Lacey’s eyes, her cheeks flushing with shame. She gripped her skirt tightly, biting back her anger, managing only a stammered apology in response.
“Mr… Mr. Kensington,” Lacey stammered, her voice quivering with feigned concern.
“I didn’t mean it that way. I’m just worried about you. I think Leila might be deceiving you. This sudden lunch invitation seems suspicious. If she truly cared for you, why was she so cruel before? Perhaps this lunch is just a ploy to get back at you. Besides, I came here for another reason. It’s about Elma’s health. She needs her medication.”
Landon’s eyes hardened as he glared at Lacey.
“My relationship with Leila is none of your concern,” he stated icily.
“And if Elma needs medication, you could simply inform Leo. He would have arranged for someone to bring it. Your presence here is unnecessary.”
Lacey’s eyes welled up, her distress evident.
“I was just worried. I didn’t mean any harm. If my presence upsets you, I swear I’ll stay away.”
Landon’s patience was wearing thin. He wanted to get rid of Lacey, but he had to acknowledge she had been diligently caring for Elma. Elma had shown significant improvement under Lacey’s care, suggesting that Lacey’s treatment seemed to be working.
“That’s enough, Lacey,” Landon said, rubbing his temples.
“You can leave now. Don’t come to me unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
Lacey nodded submissively. But as she exited, she subtly pinched her neck, leaving a visible red mark. She then adjusted her dress, lowering the neckline slightly, creating an image that hinted at something suggestive.
Lacey, with a calculated plan in mind, found Leila. She walked over, her high heels clicking against the floor, her hips swaying provocatively.
“Leila,” she purred.
Leila turned, her expression cool and distant.
“What do you want?” she asked, her voice flat.
Lacey offered a saccharine smile.
“Why are you so hostile? You know why I’m here. If you had known it would end like this, why have you bothered in the first place? Don’t get your hopes up, Leila.”
Lacey’s taunts were starting to get under Leila’s skin.
“You seem to be mistaken, Lacey. I didn’t force this lunch. Landon wanted it too,” Leila retorted, her voice low and steady.
Lacey was momentarily speechless. She knew Leila was telling the truth, and their lunch only fueled her anxiety. A family lunch, with their children present, was the ideal opportunity for Landon and Leila to rekindle their relationship.
Panic had driven Lacey to dress provocatively before rushing over, hoping to capture Landon’s attention. Deep down, however, she knew it was a futile attempt. Yet, driving a wedge between Landon and Leila was precisely what Lacey aimed to do.