Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Having discerned Lacey’s motives, Leila rose from her seat, her smile vanishing.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading out. Miss Payne, you’ve had a full day. Take some rest.” Her words, though polite, carried an edge that hinted at something unsaid.
Leila turned to leave.
However, Lacey reached out and seized her arm firmly.
“Clayton is your ex-husband!”
Lacey said this to mislead Leila. Yet, she observed pure surprise in Leila’s expression-not even the slightest confusion, but undiluted shock at her knowledge of this.
It didn’t take long for Lacey to realize that Leila’s amnesia must somehow involve Clayton. Not only had Leila’s memory faded, but it also had been altered. Such findings brought comfort to Lacey, deepening her belief that Leila wasn’t worth staying by Landon’s side.
A peculiar smile appeared on Lacey’s face as she tightened her hold on Leila’s hand.
“You and Clayton shared a wonderful bond, but he wasn’t the father of your children. While there was indeed a time when you and Landon were an item, you two never got along, betraying each other. Your relationship with Landon had never gone beyond a marriage of convenience. Clayton is the one you truly love. You should grasp why I am telling you all this. Don’t pester Landon anymore. You never loved him. Let him be with someone else, like me.”.
While Lacey’s words seemed to make sense, filling Leila with mixed feelings, Leila still stood her ground.
“As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t accept others’ narratives of my past. I’m confident I can unearth those memories myself.”
At Leila’s firm stance, Lacey shifted her strategy.
“Don’t you want to see Clayton? He’s just narrowly avoided a fatal situation with Landon. When he was close to death, you were elsewhere with another man. How could you be this shameless?”
Leila was baffled.
“Why would he face such peril?”
Lacey’s expression hardened.
“Your discord with Landon in the past was no secret, marked by frequent clashing, including business battles between the Nixon Group and the Kensington Group. Landon might not be able to do anything to you, but Clayton was vulnerable.”
Leila’s lips pressed tightly together as she remained silent, her eyes swirling with emotion.
Lacey, lowering her voice, continued, “I am privy to these matters because I am Mr. Kensington’ confidante. Others are aware of some of these details. Feel free to verify. Leila, think carefully before reaching a decision.”
With these words, Lacey let go of Leila’s hand.
Shock still gripped Leila, her thoughts spinning. Why would Landon want Clayton dead? Could she trust Lacey’s words? Lacey’s knowledge of Clayton being her ex-husband seemed to indicate that Lacey knew about her past. Moreover, Lacey’s serene manner suggested no concerns about Leila digging deeper. Maybe Lacey was indeed telling the truth.
After Leila, troubled, walked away, Lacey looked around to make sure she was alone before making a call to Clayton.
“I’ve filled her mind with those words. You should find a way to see her.”
Meanwhile, at the Nixon Group, Calvin received a new message. It was a recording from a recent call.
Playing the recording, Calvin realized it had come from a recent call on Lacey’s phone, the one he had previously bugged. She had likely used her backup phone the past few days and only shifted back to her usual device upon her return to Burmoos.
While the bug Calvin had planted on Lacey’s phone granted him the ability to hear the other side’s words, the other end of the line didn’t say a word.
Calvin attempted to trace whom Lacey had called but found the number no longer existed, showing how cautious the other party was.
Lacey was heard saying, “I’ve told her everything. Arrange a meeting at the Kensington’ place. Landon’s vigilance makes it tough. I can’t assist you. You must find a way.”
Calvin repeated these words to himself, trying to decipher their meaning. Who was this mysterious individual Lacey had reached out to? Who was the “her” Lacey referred to? And who was expected at the Kensington’ residence?
Calvin considered informing Landon about this but hesitated as he remembered Landon had previously dismissed his concerns about Lacey’s questionable behavior. Plus, revealing the recording might tip off their adversaries.
Since Landon had insisted that any suspicion be backed by solid proof, Calvin resolved to collect more evidence, preempting Landon’s potential defense of Lacey with impregnable proof. With this in mind, Calvin saved the recording.
Earlier, the news of Elma suddenly developing a fever reached Calvin.
However, Calvin was not worried. Elma’s illness coincided with Lacey’s return. Lacey would undoubtedly take good care of Elma, a move that would gain Landon’s approval.
Suddenly, Sophie messaged Calvin, urging him to return to the Kensington family’s residence to check on Elma, who had been inquiring about him lately.
Calvin displayed his annoyance clearly, his lips pressed tightly together.
“If seeing Lacey sticking to Landon is part of the deal, I’d prefer to stay away.”
Sophie exhaled slowly, bringing up Leila.
“Our mom has accepted us as her children and is willing to spend time with us. Doesn’t this change your mind about coming back?”
Calvin paused, uncertain.
“Really? Does our mom actually acknowledge us now?”
Sophie assured him confidently, “Absolutely. The family bond remains strong, even though she hasn’t reclaimed her lost memories.”
Calvin hesitated, biting his lip, and ultimately declined.
“I’ll visit some other time. I’m currently busy at the Nixon Group.”
Sophie wasn’t fooled by Calvin’s excuses. Even though Leila was no longer overseeing the Nixon Group, the team she had put in place was capable. Calvin was there ostensibly to assist and learn, yet his presence wasn’t essential.
As for Calvin’s reluctance to return to the Kensington family residence, there were actually other reasons at play. Keeping his distance from Lacey allowed him to operate more covertly, facilitating his efforts to collect evidence without arousing suspicion.
After devising another excuse, Calvin ended the conversation. Sophie felt somewhat defeated as she looked at the ended call. Just then, Elma woke up feeling much better after a day of being unwell, her mood lifted. She smiled brightly at Sophie, who was instantly heartened.
Sophie approached Elma, stroked her hair, and checked her temperature.
“Thank goodness the fever has subsided. But seriously, don’t visit the hot springs again. We were so worried.”
Elma grinned mischievously.
“I understand. I won’t go again. I don’t want to cause any worry.”
Sophie tucked Elma in.
“Rest well now. When you wake, you’ll feel refreshed. Don’t fret over anything else. Everything will be alright.”
The “anything else” Sophie alluded to involved Leila and Landon’s relationship.
Suddenly, Elma smiled enigmatically. She gestured for Sophie to come closer, who leaned in, intrigued.
Elma whispered, “Sophie, while you and Calvin were away today, I saw our parents together, hand in hand. Do you think there’s a chance they might make up?”
Sophie’s face reflected her inner turmoil. When the news of Elma’s discomfort reached her, she had been occupied at school and unable to return. But she wasn’t concerned, confident that Landon, who was at home, would ensure Elma’s well-being. If Elma’s observations of Leila and Landon getting along were accurate, the household staff would undoubtedly have informed her upon her return. After all, even the staff hoped for Leila and Landon’s reconciliation. Yet, nobody had brought it up. Sophie figured perhaps Elma was mistaken, her sickness muddling her perception.
Witnessing the hope in Elma’s eyes, Sophie reassured her, “If that’s the case, it’s a good thing. It seems like it’s only a matter of time before they reconcile.”
Elma responded with a hint of pride, “You guys think I’m too young to understand, but I grasp it all. If there’s a hint of possibility for their reconciliation, I will find a way to bring them closer to each other.”
Sophie, amused, affectionately caressed Elma’s cheek.
“You’re quite the clever one. Who would underestimate you? Focus on your recovery first. Once you’re better, we can start to plan. For now, our mom stays here, and we are all here to keep you company.”
Elma’s smile brightened even more.
Perhaps buoyed by her cheerful spirits, despite her slight dizziness, Elma felt a surge of energy, and sleep eluded her. Elma clutched Sophie’s hand, her plea earnest.
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