Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Landon took a long drag from his cigarette, crushed it underfoot, and got into the car.
“Let’s go. We’re neither heading home nor to the office.” Leo paused, his response caught in his throat. He then silently took the driver’s seat and started the car.
After a few days, Leila attended Brysen’s funeral. Actually, she wasn’t just an attendee but the one who organized the entire ceremony. The explosion on that day had left the site in ruins, and despite her efforts, Leila couldn’t find Brysen’s body.
An expert had explained that the force of the explosion could completely obliterate a person in an instant, followed by incineration due to the intense flames.
At this, Leila had felt a sharp ache in her heart.
“Did Brysen suffer in that moment?”
The expert had remained quiet, looking at Leila’s tear-streaked face for a long while before exhaling deeply.
“The pain should be brief. Try not to linger on these thoughts. Things will get better.”
As the memory faded, a chilling breeze snapped Leila back to reality. She stared at the tombstone before her, tears brimming in her eyes again.
At this point, the funeral was over, and everyone else had gone. Though a large crowd had shown up, the majority barely knew Brysen. They mainly came to catch Leila’s eye.
But Leila understood. Even though the Nixon Group was being targeted, it didn’t mean it would collapse. Their motives might not have been completely sincere, but they truly came to pay tribute to Brysen.
Leila clutched her coat more tightly and then lowered herself in front of the gravestone, speaking softly.
“Brysen, I feel so useless. I haven’t yet found out who caused you harm. You must be so lonely in that cold place. I suddenly recall when you first joined me. You were fresh out of school, with little knowledge. I paid you very little back then, but you pushed yourself to become a competent assistant.”
As Leila whispered these words, her thoughts drifted back to those earlier days.
Leila had established the Nixon Group with her own money. Even though she could have relied on the Nixon family’s riches and connections, she chose not to. She refused to let herself recline in the comfort of being an incompetent member of a wealthy family again. As a result, those early days were extremely difficult.
Even in that situation, at that time, Brysen had stayed enthusiastic day after day, working alongside Leila to gradually build the Nixon Group.
Brysen had already decided that after another year of work, she would ask Leila for some time off to travel and rest.
Leila had shared the same thought and was planning to offer at least a year-long break.
However, before that time came, that tragic event had taken place, leaving both physical and mental scars on Brysen.
Because of that, Leila had been determined to help Brysen recover. She felt a deep need to set things right. But now, that explosion took Brysen away forever, letting the guilt of not protecting Brysen properly consume Leila.
Memories of her past days with Brysen continued to flash back to Leila, overwhelming her, and she broke down in relentless sobs.
Just then, Leila caught the sound of footsteps behind her.
Struggling to contain her immense sorrow, Leila turned around. The instant she saw the newcomer, her expression changed dramatically. Tears lingered on her lashes, giving her a sorrowful look, yet her eyes were frosty.
“What are you here for?” Leila demanded.
Landon ignored her question. He slowly headed toward Brysen’s resting place and laid down the flower he carried.
Leila’s fury flared. Clenching her teeth, she said, “You don’t deserve to mourn her.”
Landon halted in his act of mourning and then spoke plainly.
“Is it because you suspect I was responsible for her death?”
Leila never anticipated Landon to be so direct. For a moment, she was speechless. Then, she curled her lips in contempt.
“So, you’re admitting it outright? Finished with the pretense?”
Landon turned around. His handsome face was blank, and his eyes fixed intensely on her.
“You’ve always been so sure it was my doing. I need to hear why.”
Leila found his question rather laughable.
“This plan was yours, and you asked me?”
Landon felt a jolt in his chest.
“Even if I’m truly responsible, shouldn’t I at least learn how you figured it out? That way, I can be more discreet next time and ensure you don’t catch on.”
Only Landon could deliver such provocative statements with a poker face. Leila looked at him and said, “Although I still haven’t figured out who managed to sneak those bombs into the retreat that day, I know that anyone who can erase all traces must wield power. It’s likely certain people at my retreat were already bribed. I did suspect Lacey, but I know she doesn’t have what it takes to pull off an explosion. Clayton is also on my radar, but he has no reason to do it.”
Landon let out a cold laugh.
“So, you believe Clayton has no reason to do so, but I do?”
Leila’s gaze hardened increasingly.
“In any case, this isn’t the first time you’ve pulled a stunt like this. How could I not suspect you?”
“Not the first time?” Landon’s brow furrowed as he stepped closer.
“Leila, what do you mean by that? Do you still believe I pushed Sophie into the pool? That incident happened during my engagement party. There’s no way I would do such a thing.”
Leila frowned slightly and then looked away, indicating she didn’t wish to continue speaking.
Burning with anger, Landon moved forward and clutched Leila’s shoulders.
She tried to break free, but he held on firmly. He breathed heavily. His eyes were red and filled with bitterness, reluctance, and a trace of vulnerability.
Landon pressed on.
“Leila, listen closely. I didn’t do it. You were the one who hurt me, yet you always act like you’re the one who’s been wronged. I just don’t see why you treat me this way. Do you truly detest me that much?”
Upon hearing these words, Leila gradually stopped resisting and her emotions settled down bit by bit. She lifted her gaze, with tears of irony in her eyes.
“Landon, isn’t it absurd for you to say this to me? I should be asking those same questions and not the other way around. Let me ask you. Why do you treat me like this? What exactly do you want from me? Even now, you’re still putting on an act. Weren’t you the one who fell out of love first?”
Landon paused in disbelief at her words.
“So, you’re still unsure if I love you?”
Realizing she had revealed too much emotion, Leila looked flustered as fleeting, complex emotions flashed across her eyes.
Meanwhile, Landon’s eyes lit up with a hint of eagerness.
“Leila, tell me, do you still have any affection for me? Are you hurt because I got engaged to Lacey?”
Leila stood there, struggling to find the right words. She had almost been deceived by Landon again. His performance was too convincing. Why did he always appear to be so devoted to her?
“Let go,” Leila said, her voice heavy with conflicting emotions and laced with annoyance.
Caught up in his emotions, Landon murmured, “But if you do love me, how could you bring yourself to hurt me the way you did?”
“Shouldn’t that be my question to you?” Leila couldn’t hold back any longer.
Landon arched an eyebrow slightly.
“What exactly have I done?”
“Landon,” Leila’s expression turned grave.
“I won’t waste my time on these pointless games of yours. I’ll drop what happened in the past. All I ask is for you to stop bothering me. I don’t know what you want. Why don’t we both take a step back? You let me go, and I will agree to anything except giving up the children. I’m even willing to leave Avalon with the kids and never return.”