Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila rushed over, grabbing Landon’s arm, urgency laced in her voice.
“Now’s our chance. They won’t be back for a while-we need to go.” Her eyes flicked to Calvert, and she scoffed.
“Forget him.”
Calvert flinched at the disdain in her voice. He opened his mouth to spit out some insult-some last-ditch effort to salvage his pride-but under the weight of Landon’s murderous stare, he swallowed it back.
Landon barely spared him a glance, his voice low and steady.
“What do we do with him?”
Leila’s lips curled in distaste.
“That’s easy.”
Calvert’s breath hitched. Panic flickered across his bruised face. He scrambled forward, grabbing desperately at Leila’s leg.
“Leila, please-” His voice was hoarse, pleading.
“I was a fool. I-I was blind, reckless. I deserve to die for what I’ve done. But please, I swear, I won’t ever think of touching you again. Just let me live!”
Calvert’s cries grew more desperate, his whimpers turning into pitiful sobs.
The sight of him-crawling, pathetic, drenched in fear-only made Leila’s stomach churn. Without another glance, she turned to Landon, tugging at his hand.
“We need to go. Now.” Landon nodded.
They pushed through the door, slipping into the dimly lit hall. Every step was measured, every breath shallow. For a moment, it seemed like they would make it. Then, they reached the entrance. And everything fell apart.
A dozen figures emerged from the shadows, blocking every possible escape route. The bodyguards had been waiting.
Leila’s breath hitched, her fingers instinctively clutching Landon’s coat. His hand reached back, brushing over hers-a silent reassurance. Then, with quiet conviction, he whispered, “Don’t worry, I’ll get you out of here. No matter what.”
Leila swallowed, but as she looked at Landon, standing tall, unwavering in the face of danger, something inside her steadied.
“Leila.” Gracelyn’s voice rang out just then.
As Gracelyn walked over, the crowd naturally created a path for her.
Gracelyn’s eyes were filled with fury and iciness as she looked at Leila.
“Have I not been good to you? Why do you always think of leaving me?” Her words were cold, pinning the blame on Leila.
Now, Leila felt she could finally express her true feelings.
“I used to really respect you and thought you were someone I could trust. I even planned to take you to Burmoos to care for you in your old age. You were once so kind-what made you turn so cruel? I’ll always remember the pain you’ve caused me.”
Gracelyn burst into laughter, pointing at Landon.
“Why did I become like this? Ask the man next to you. It turns out you’ve deceived me all along. You and Landon are so close that he’d risk his life to come back and save you. You played me for a fool.”
Gracelyn’s eyes narrowed as she glared at Landon. Through gritted teeth, she said, “I never thought you’d come to me on your own. If I had known that it was you who had fallen that day, I would’ve made sure you died miserably!” The last sentence was yelled out, her voice heavy with regret for missing her chance to kill Landon.
Landon faced the angry Gracelyn calmly.
“See what you’ve turned into, all because of a coward. Your grandson was not suited for the business world. He chose to challenge me and broke the law repeatedly. His own actions sealed his fate, doomed for downfall, regardless of my involvement.”
Teetering on the edge of an emotional breakdown, Gracelyn hissed, “Nonsense! My grandson had always been a decent man. Plus, everyone errs now and then. My grandson didn’t deserve that unfair fate at all!”
Landon shook his head.
“Even without my interference, his actions alone would have landed him in jail for the rest of his life. Moreover, I never wanted him dead. The prospect of facing the consequences of his actions overwhelmed him, and he jumped off the building himself.”
Overwhelmed, Gracelyn lunged at Landon with her cane. But age was not on her side. She missed and nearly toppled over.
Gracelyn was even more enraged.
Landon continued, “Instead of moving on from your grandson’s death, you started tormenting those close to you, driving your son and daughter-in-law to their deaths.”
Leila was shocked by Landon’s words. This was news to her. She only knew that following the death of Gracelyn’s grandson, her son and daughter-in-law also passed away within three years. She had always believed they died from grief. It never crossed her mind that they were driven to their deaths.
Looking at the deranged Gracelyn, Leila felt a chill run through her. Gracelyn had indeed lost her mind. Her grief had warped her into someone who tormented those around her.
Gracelyn’s eyes, red and furious, fixed on Landon.
“Now that you know my secret, I can’t let you leave. I will kill you. As for Leila…”
Gracelyn turned to Leila with a sinister smile.
“I’ll keep you because my grandson’s spirit will be reborn into this world through your child. As long as he can be reborn, my efforts over the years will be worth it.”
Gracelyn seemed to find comfort in her twisted reasoning, her expression softening, but her gaze remained cold.
Leila said coldly, “You might not be aware, but that spiritual advisor was paid off by Florrie and Calvert a long time ago. They originally planned to use the child to claim the White family’s wealth, but Calvert changed his mind and paid the advisor a hefty sum to say that only my child with him could be the reincarnation. There is no such thing as reincarnation. It’s all a sham.”
Gracelyn’s smile momentarily froze. But her response was strangely not one of anger or despair. She simply shook her head and said, “It doesn’t matter. Even if it’s all made up, I still believe you and my grandson were meant to be. You grew up together, after all. He cared for you. Had your family not fallen on hard times, you two could have ended up married.”
Leila felt a wave of revulsion seeing Gracelyn so deluded.
“Enough of this nonsense,” Landon cut in, interrupting Gracelyn’s fantasies.
“If you’re going to capture us, then do it. Stop with the theatrics.”
Gracelyn sneered, “Very well, I’ll grant your wish.”
Gracelyn waved her hand and instructed, “Landon’s life is useless, but Leila must be kept alive.”
As a group of guards advanced, a flicker of fear passed through Leila.
Landon, however, faced the attackers without hesitation. Though he hadn’t been formally trained for fighting, he was more than capable of handling these guards.
Leila had learned some self-defense skills. While she couldn’t overpower the attackers, she was adept at evading them.
At first, Landon and Leila managed to hold their ground, but as the numbers against them grew, fatigue set in for both of them. In a moment of weakness, Leila was restrained by a guard.
Just as Gracelyn was about to savor her victory, the door burst open.
Clayton walked in, his people in tow. He had been lurking near the house for days, knowing that since Landon had returned to this place for Leila, it wouldn’t be long before Landon made a move.
Clayton had been biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike and secure the final victory.
Clayton’s intervention was timely. Without it, it was clear Leila and Landon were on the brink of defeat.
Clayton’s men quickly took control of the scene, overpowering both the fierce Landon and the subdued Leila.
Caught off guard by this unexpected development, Gracelyn’s face registered shock. She turned to Clayton with sharp, calculating eyes, her tone carrying a hint of negotiation.
“I know you want Leila. I can let her go, but Landon must be turned over to me.”
Leila, who had just felt a flicker of hope, tensed up again at these words. She looked anxiously at Clayton, only to be taken aback as Clayton nodded with a sly grin.
“Sure, I want him dead as well.”
At this, Gracelyn’s demeanor softened. She smiled and said, “Clearly, we’re allies. Have your men stand down. Hand over Landon, and I’ll grant you all safe passage.”