Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Landon’s thoughts were in turmoil, his voice laced with a chilling calmness.
“So, if you realize you still have feelings for him, will you leave with him?”
Landon’s gaze bored into hers, his eyes a complex mix of emotions: anger, fear, and a deep-seated vulnerability. It was as if her answer held the power to break him completely.
Leila couldn’t help but laugh, the sound echoing through the room. She reached up to caress Landon’s cheek, her eyes softening with affection.
“No way, silly. I was just teasing you. I don’t want to see him. It might sound irresponsible, but I don’t care about the past anymore. All that matters is that I love you now, and I want to be with you.”
The tension in Landon’s face visibly eased at her words. He hummed in response, a faint smile playing on his lips, his relief palpable.
Leila smiled to herself, amused by his reaction.
“You know, you could try trusting me a little more,” she said, her expression turning serious.
Leila could feel the invisible wall Landon had erected between them. Despite his undeniable affection for her, he held back, unable to fully trust her. That wasn’t the kind of relationship she wanted. She believed that whatever their history, they should trust each other now that they were together. She wasn’t entirely sure if she could trust him completely, but she was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Landon met her gaze, a wave of unfamiliar emotions washing over him.
“I don’t want to talk about this right now,” he said, his voice tight.
“We can discuss it later.”
Leila sensed his reluctance. Though disappointed, she wasn’t angry. She gently wrapped her arms around his neck.
The video conference was drawing to a close.
As soon as the meeting ended, Landon acted on his desire. He scooped Leila into his arms and carried her toward the nearby lounge.
Leila understood his intentions immediately, her cheeks flushing crimson as she playfully protested, “Landon, put me down! Don’t you have work to do? Let me go. I’m starving.”
A playful grin spread across Landon’s face as he held her close, ignoring her protests.
“Work can wait. Nothing’s that pressing right now.”
Leila, unable to wriggle free, shot him several annoyed glares. If it weren’t for Leila’s rumbling stomach, they might have skipped dinner altogether.
After their intimacy, Leila devoured her food with gusto, an unusual sight for Landon.
Beside her, Landon couldn’t help but feel a twinge of unease.
Elma, having finally woken up from her extended nap, was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Her inquisitive eyes darted between her parents.
“Mom? Dad?” she piped up.
“Why didn’t you come for lunch? I was taking a nap then. Were you guys napping too?”
Elma’s cheeks puffed out with indignation.
“You can’t skip meals! No matter how busy you are, you have to eat!” Calvin and Sophie nodded solemnly in agreement with their younger sister.
Sophie’s brow furrowed with concern as she looked at Leila.
“Mommy, are you feeling okay? You look tired.”
Leila, unable to concoct a believable excuse, simply glared at Landon through gritted teeth.
Landon, ever the picture of composure, calmly piled more food onto Leila’s plate.
“Eat up,” he said gently.
“You’ll feel better after eating. Remember, we promised to play with the kids tonight.”
Leila sighed. She had been looking forward to spending time with the kids, but after the eventful afternoon, all she wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep. But she’d made a promise, and she couldn’t disappoint them.
Landon’s words had the desired effect, capturing the children’s attention.
Elma, in particular, was thrilled. She jumped off her chair and ran over to Leila, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Mommy, what are we going to play tonight?” she asked eagerly.
Looking at Elma’s hopeful face, Leila couldn’t bring herself to declare that she was exhausted and just wanted to sleep. She forced a smile and gently pinched Elma’s cheek.
“What do you have in mind, sweetheart?” she asked.
Elma pondered for a moment before declaring that she wanted to go camping.
Leila’s heart sank. Camping itself wasn’t a problem, but Elma’s fragile health made it a risky proposition.
Not wanting to express her concerns aloud, Leila turned to Landon, silently pleading for his help.
To Leila’s surprise, Landon responded with a calm nod and an air of agreement.
“This sounds fantastic. Let’s go camping tonight,” he declared.
Leila stared at Landon in disbelief, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise. Wasn’t he supposed to gently discourage Elma, given her fragile health? Why was he indulging Elma’s whims?
Sensing Leila’s apprehension, Landon offered a reassuring pat on her back, his calm gaze conveying a silent message that he had it under his control.
Leila, reassured by his confident demeanor, felt a wave of relief wash over her. Landon was a man of reason and responsibility. He wouldn’t jeopardize Elma’s well-being with a reckless adventure. True to his nature, their “camping” expedition remained within the safe confines of the Kensington estate.
The Kensington estate was vast and encompassed a variety of landscapes, including a series of picturesque hills. These idyllic hills were all part of the Kensington family’s extensive private property.
Camping on their own property provided stunning views of the night sky while ensuring their privacy and safety.
Elma simply craved the experience of camping. The specific location was secondary.
Landon’s solution was an ideal compromise, satisfying Elma’s desire while prioritizing her health and safety.
As the family ventured toward the hills, the daylight was beginning to fade, but the darkness had not yet fully descended.
Elma, brimming with excitement, dragged her siblings toward the nearby lake, eager to try their hand at fishing.
Meanwhile, Leila and Landon busied themselves setting up camp nearby.
As this was a family affair, they dispensed with the usual retinue of servants. They handled all the preparations themselves, from pitching tents to gathering firewood.
Leila watched in surprise as Landon expertly erected the tent and kindled a campfire.
“I didn’t realize you were so skilled at this,” she remarked, impressed.
“I assumed these tasks would be rather challenging for you.”
Landon looked at her, a mixture of amusement and indignation in his eyes.
“Just because I typically delegate these tasks doesn’t mean I’m incapable of handling them myself,” he retorted playfully.
Landon’s mock offense made Leila feel a pang of unease for her teasing remark.
“Oh, come now,” she said, clearing her throat and taking his arm in a conciliatory gesture.
“I was merely teasing. Don’t take it to heart.”
Landon’s hand descended, a casual pat landing on Leila’s head.