Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“No need to thank me,” Gregory responded. “By the way, there’s something else I wanted to discuss with you. Halstead University is launching a new artifact studies program this year. They need someone in the field to help create a promotional video. I think you’d be perfect for it.”
Leila was surprised and quickly texted back, “Me?”
Gregory sent a voice message in response. “Yes, they want someone attractive and knowledgeable about artifacts. You’re not only beautiful but also highly skilled in artifact restoration. Don’t you think you’d be a great fit?”
Leila found herself intrigued. She had never done anything like a promotional video before-quite different from her childhood dreams of becoming a movie star. Now, she was eager to seize the opportunity.
However, she knew Landon wouldn’t approve.
As that thought crossed her mind, Leila realized she was slipping back into her old habits of prioritizing Landon’s opinions. She quickly patted her head and reminded herself of her promise to live for her own happiness. Landon’s approval no longer dictated her choices.
“Okay, I’ll do it,” Leila replied to Gregory’s message.
Gregory quickly sent her the schedule. “The shoot is this afternoon. Can you make it?”
The suddenness surprised Leila, but it wasn’t a problem. Her commitments at the studio and with the Hayes Group were flexible. A trip to Halstead for the shoot wouldn’t be disruptive. The only potential issue was Landon’s meals, which she usually delivered.
Leila confirmed her availability, and Gregory began booking her flight immediately.
After following the doctor’s advice, Leila returned home to pack for the trip. There was something important she needed to deliver to Landon before she left.
As she entered her house, Leila was startled to see Shirley still there.
Shirley’s spirits seemed lifted by the news. But the moment she spotted Leila, she scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Oh, dropping the act, are you? Now that no one’s watching, you crawl back on your own?”
Shirley approached Leila. “No matter what happens, Landon will never fall into anyone’s trap! He’s too clever. Even the worst situations turn to his advantage! You know what you’ve done, and when the time is right-“
Before Shirley could finish her threat, she realized Leila was completely ignoring her, walking straight upstairs without even acknowledging her.
“You witch! I’m talking to you! Stop right there!” Shirley was shocked. Leila had never blatantly ignored her like this. Driven by disbelief, she rushed after her.
But all Shirley heard was the slam of a door. She stood in stunned silence. “Leila! Is this your way of pissing me off?”
Shirley was baffled. She couldn’t understand why Leila had become so audacious. Was she bewitched, or had the fall really made her lose her mind?
After signing both copies of the divorce agreement, Leila placed them in a document bag and booked a local courier to deliver them to Landon later.
Leila had few possessions to take with her. Despite her upcoming trip to Halstead and her departure from the Kensington residence, she refused to bring along any of the luxurious items Landon had gifted her. She wouldn’t take a single thing.
Apart from her daily essentials, Leila only had a few childhood mementos, all of which could easily fit into a small bag.
With her belongings packed, Leila headed downstairs.
“Are you deaf or something?” Shirley’s voice rang out. She had instructed the butler to retrieve the keys to Leila’s bedroom before Leila emerged. Upon seeing her, Shirley rushed over.
“The mute’s turned deaf too! Can’t you hear me? I’m talking to you! Have you lost your mind?” Shirley spat out her questions.
But this time, Leila looked Shirley directly in the eyes-a marked change from her usual timid demeanor.
Dressed in a sleek black suit and wearing heels that added to her height, Leila now stood taller than Shirley, her presence exuding a newfound confidence.
Her naturally pretty face, now accentuated with light makeup, carried a fierce edge. Just one glance from her unleashed a commanding aura that left Shirley momentarily speechless.
Shirley was stunned. Was this the same Leila who had once knelt at her feet, silently scrubbing floors, too scared to make a sound even when she accidentally stepped on her hand?
Suddenly, Leila raised her hand. With her palm facing herself and the back of her hand outward, she made a dismissive gesture at Shirley, as if to say, “Get lost.”
“You! You…” Shirley stammered, her throat tightening with fury. She clutched her chest in disbelief, watching as Leila strode past her. Finally finding her voice, she hurried after her. “I’ll give you a piece of my mind…”
At that moment, Leila stopped in front of the door.
Shirley nearly collided with her, stopping just in time. She began berating Leila loudly but didn’t dare lay a hand on her.
Ignoring Shirley’s tirade, Leila lowered her head and typed on her phone. The AI voice spoke for her: “Discuss the divorce with your son. If he agrees, I will leave the Kensington family at once.”
Shirley was speechless, unable to respond.
Without another glance, Leila walked out to the front yard and handed the document bag to the courier.
A sleek black Audi was parked by the curb. As Leila exited the gate, Irene leaned out from the driver’s seat, waving. She had come to accompany Leila on the business trip.
The Hayes Group, aware of Leila’s upcoming participation in the promotional video, had been incredibly supportive and had quickly organized her itinerary.
“Our plane is almost ready. I doubt we’ll have to wait once we’re at the airport. We’ll bypass the usual checks with VIP access and head straight to boarding,” Irene informed her.
As the villa disappeared from view in the rearview mirror, Leila felt an overwhelming sense of relief, as if she was finally free to live her life on her own terms.
After clearing security at the airport and settling into her seat, Leila turned to Irene, gesturing for her help with a phone call.
Leila assumed that the divorce papers had been delivered to the Kensington Group headquarters, but without notifying Landon, he wouldn’t know. The reception desk wouldn’t automatically forward everything addressed to Landon to his office.
Irene’s eyes widened in surprise at Leila’s request. With a nod and barely contained excitement, she responded, “Of course!”
Leila’s personal life, full of drama, was no secret. Anyone involved in high society, or even those following online gossip, was likely familiar with the turbulence surrounding her.
Landon, the head of the city’s largest corporation, was constantly in the public eye. He made headlines frequently, with new rumors swirling around him daily.
For those less informed, Sarah might be mistaken as the true Mrs. Kensington.
But Leila, the real Mrs. Kensington, was Landon’s elusive childhood sweetheart-a mysterious figure rarely seen in public, often referred to as “the world’s most hidden legal wife.”
Irene was fully aware of this. And now, entrusted with the task of making the call, she was even more excited than Leila.
When Irene got through to Edgar, her voice brimmed with confidence. “Edgar, right? I’m Leila’s assistant. The divorce papers have been sent to the Kensington Group headquarters. Make sure Mr. Kensington signs them immediately!”
With that, Irene ended the call.
On the other end of the line, Edgar stood frozen at the conference room door, momentarily stunned. He was one of the few employees at the company who knew Leila’s true identity. The rest of the staff simply saw her as the woman who occasionally delivered lunch to their CEO, completely unaware she was his wife.
As instructed by Landon, Edgar had exchanged contact information with Leila for necessary communications.
However, Edgar had never imagined the first call from Leila would involve such a serious matter.
“Go to the front desk,” Edgar quickly instructed an employee to retrieve the document bag. Soon after, he had the divorce papers in hand. But he wasn’t sure how to present them to Landon without causing a scene.
The mood in the conference room was light. The Kensington Group had just successfully navigated a smear campaign, and there was a celebratory air at the meeting.
The vice presidents and executives were discussing the source of the leak that had fueled the campaign.
“Mr. Kensington, outside of your family, no one knew about your medical appointments, correct?”
“We wouldn’t have known about Mr. Kensington collapsing at the office if not for today’s news!”
“Only Edgar knew. He arranged for a helicopter to rush Mr. Kensington to the hospital. The rest of us thought Mr. Kensington was meeting with a client that day.”
“Edgar wouldn’t betray us. If the leak didn’t come from the hospital, it must have come from inside Mr. Kensington’ home… Does your wife know these details?”
While some of them began to suspect Leila, they kept their thoughts to themselves. Given Landon’s history with scandals, it seemed plausible that his wife might want revenge.
“She wouldn’t do that.”
Landon had been silent until now, but as soon as he spoke, the room fell quiet.
Just then, Edgar approached Landon. “Mr. Kensington, your wife sent this.”