Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“It’s late now, sweetheart. You should try to sleep.” Leila’s tone was tender, the gentle cadence of her voice stirring something within him.
Through the faint glow of moonlight spilling through the window, Landon could make out Leila’s silhouette on the bed. But her expression remained obscured in the shadows. A strange feeling crept over him, and it dawned on him why. Leila was facing him.
For a fleeting moment, their gazes met in the darkness. Realizing it, they both quickly turned away, but an undeniable tension lingered, their hearts beating faster.
Oblivious to their silent exchange, Elma rubbed her tired eyes. Her voice, though laced with sleep, was insistent.
“Why don’t we talk? It’s been such a long time since we enjoyed a talk together.”
Landon sighed heavily and pressed his fingers against his temples.
“I’m exhausted. Let’s talk tomorrow and get some rest now. It’s way too late, and staying up will only make you sicker. You don’t want to take more of that bitter medicine, do you?”
The mention of medicine made Elma shudder involuntarily. Though she wasn’t particularly picky, there was something about Lacey’s concoction that unsettled her. It was harsher, more bitter than anything she had ever been given before. The aftertaste would churn her stomach, leaving her queasy and without appetite.
Though Elma often felt drowsy during the day, the moment she laid down, sleep seemed impossible to grasp. Strangely, everyone around her commented on how much better she looked. But she didn’t feel the same way.
Elma shook her head slightly, trying to brush away the jumble of thoughts clouding her mind. Her task for the day was to bring her parents closer together.
Refusing to let the moment pass, Elma pressed on, insistent on chitchatting. When Landon declined, she turned her attention to Leila, her eyes pleading for support. She shifted restlessly in bed, her small movements tugging at Leila’s heart.
Cradling her daughter’s warm, soft form, Leila felt her resolve give way. Unable to say no, she paused to think before saying softly, “How about I tell you a story?”
Elma’s face lit up as she nodded eagerly. She then glanced at Landon and added, “I want my daddy to tell one too.”
After a brief discussion, they came to a compromise. Leila would start the story, and Landon would pick up where she left off. For both of them, this was effortless.
Taking turns, Landon and Leila wove a whimsical tale, full of childlike wonder. In the beginning, their storytelling flowed in harmony. But as the narrative unfolded, it veered in unexpected and surprising directions.
The story was taking a ridiculous turn, becoming more absurd with every word.
Leila couldn’t suppress her laughter. It was soft, but in the quiet of the night, it sounded louder than she intended.
Realizing her outburst, Leila quickly cleared her throat.
“I couldn’t help it,” she said, her voice apologetic.
Landon stayed silent, his expression unreadable.
It was then that Leila noticed Elma, nestled in her arms, had already fallen asleep.
Leila gently adjusted the blanket around her daughter. As she did, a low sound caught her attention-a quiet chuckle from Landon. His laughter was subdued, almost restrained, but there was an undeniable charm to it. The bed trembled slightly as he tried to stifle it.
Leila turned to him, startled for a moment, but then shook her head with a playful scolding.
“If you want to laugh, then laugh. Don’t hold it back. If the bed shakes and wakes Elma, we’ll have to start all over again.”
Landon finally stopped, gazing at Leila. There was a depth in his eyes, a blend of emotions he couldn’t entirely hide. For the first time in years, he felt a happiness this profound and genuine. It was a feeling only Leila could bring out in him, a joy that no one else could offer.
In the darkness, Landon allowed himself a small smile in Leila’s direction.
“Alright, let’s sleep,” Landon said quietly.
Leila nodded, her voice soft as she agreed. She lay still, listening to the gentle rhythm of raindrops against the window. The soothing sound lulled her, and her eyes began to grow heavy with sleep.
A moment later, the bed shook again, the movement jarring Leila awake. Her eyes fluttered open, and she caught sight of a shadow approaching swiftly. Her heartbeat quickened, but fear didn’t take hold. She knew it was Landon. As her vision adjusted to the dim light, his silhouette became clear. Even in the darkness, his presence was striking, his features distinct and captivating.
Out of nervousness, Leila’s fingers tightened on the sheets beneath her. Landon drew closer, and she struggled to keep her voice steady as she asked, “Mr. Kensington, what are-“
“What are you doing?” Landon remained silent, offering no response. For a moment, Leila wondered if he was sleepwalking, moving without awareness.
She hesitated before lifting her hand, intending to stop him. Before she could, his hand caught hers. The warmth of his touch enveloped her wrist, firm yet gentle.
Her eyes widened in surprise as he guided her hand back to the bed. Then, leaning closer, he shortened the gap between them. In the darkness, all Leila could hear was the pounding of her heart, echoing loudly in the quiet. Her eyelashes flickered before she shut her eyes, unsure of what was coming next.
But it wasn’t what she expected. Instead, she felt the weight of a blanket settle over her.
Landon’s voice broke the silence, calm and measured.
“It’s getting colder at night. Don’t catch a chill. If you do, Elma will stay close to you as always. With her health being so fragile, catching a cold would only make it worse.”
Though Landon’s words were spoken for Elma’s benefit, the concern in his tone was unmistakable, and it reached Leila deeply. Her cheeks grew warm. Quietly, she murmured her thanks, her voice soft and barely audible.
Landon let his eyes close, the gentle patter of rain outside easing him toward sleep.
Since Landon’s return to Burmoos, it had been ages since he slept soundly. The moment his head hit the pillow, his mind stirred with a rush of thoughts. Past events flooded his mind, tinged with disheartened, joyful, and annoying memories. As time stretched on, his drowsiness always gave way to the chaos in his mind, leaving him wide awake and restless throughout the night. Most nights, he would abandon the bed entirely, heading off to focus on work instead.
Leo had noticed this routine and had grown increasingly concerned about Landon. He knew illness would eventually catch up to him if this continued.
At Leo’s insistence, Landon had started using melatonin. It helped, but only a little. Landon’s sleep remained shallow and fragile. The faintest sound could pull him out of it.
Leo had even suggested therapy, but Landon declined. It wasn’t that he was against seeking help. He just couldn’t bear the idea of showing his vulnerability. Opening up to anyone, especially strangers, felt impossible to him.
Understanding Landon’s refusal of therapy, Leo hadn’t given up on finding a solution for Landon’s struggles.
Tonight, for the first time in a long while, Landon felt sleepiness settle over him naturally. He found himself treasuring the moment. Being here with his family felt rare and precious, a fleeting comfort he hadn’t known since Roderick’s passing.
In the past, Landon had spent many nights beside Leila. But back then, her tension around him was undeniable. She always seemed wary and on edge. Deep down, he knew the fault was his. Despite everything that had transpired, he couldn’t bring himself to hate Leila. He often wondered if things could have been different if he had treated her better. But the past was unchangeable, and now, he understood her choice. It was his mistake to bear, and he couldn’t deny that.
Landon had long stopped expecting anything from life and had resigned himself to the prospect of solitude forever, never intending to demand his children’s company. His children were free to choose whether they wanted to spend time with him or Leila. After all, he had a less-than-merry past. Why should his children follow the same path?
Yet, as Landon lay there, with Leila beside him, something shifted within him. It was hard to let go of something he had held onto for so long. Staring at the ceiling, Landon’s thoughts grew hazy. A fleeting wish crossed his mind-how nice it would be if time could freeze in this moment. But he knew better. Whatever was meant to leave would eventually slip away.
The soft rhythm of Leila’s and Elma’s breathing lulled Landon, and slowly, sleep claimed him.
Landon wasn’t sure how long he had slept before a sudden flash of light jolted him awake. He sat up quickly, his senses instantly on edge.
Beside him, a mumble broke the silence, almost like a protest against being disturbed.
Landon’s unfocused eyes gradually adjusted, and his groggy mind cleared. He realized it was still the middle of the night, only a few hours since he’d dozed off. The flash of light had been lightning. A storm was gathering outside.
Landon turned his head, searching for Elma, who should have been asleep between him and Leila. But her small form was nowhere in sight. Instead, Leila had moved closer in her sleep, curled up against him. Her face was calm and peaceful, like a child lost in dreams. There was something tender about the sight, stirring a protective instinct in him.
Landon was lost in the moment before worry quickly snapped him back to the present. Where had Elma gone? Concern etched itself into his brow as he prepared to search for her.
Before Landon could get up, thunder boomed overhead, loud and sudden.
Leila stirred awake instantly, her body trembling as she clutched her ears.
Landon froze, his gaze softening at the sight of her fear.
“Stay here,” he said gently, his voice calm.
“I’ll find Elma and come back soon.”
Leila nodded slowly, still shaken by the thunder. Her wide eyes reflected her unease as she whispered for him to check on Elma first.
Landon hesitated, glancing at her once more. He had always known Leila feared storms, and seeing her like this stirred his concern even further.
Just as Landon reached for the door and was about to leave, Sophie’s familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.
“You should stay in the room with my mom. Elma is with me now.”
For a moment, Landon stood still, unsure if he had imagined it. There it was again-Sophie’s voice, just outside the door. Despite the awkwardness, Sophie continued firmly, “Mom gets scared during thunderstorms. I’ll stay with Elma, and you stay with my mom. Thank you.”