Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Opting for a safer approach, Leila resolved to discreetly warn Brent to be wary of both Boris and Landon.
Once Landon and his group were out of sight, Leila cautiously left her hiding spot.
By then, it was already too late. The doctors had been dismissed.
Leila questioned the servants about the visit, yet none could or would provide any information.
Uncertain whether their ignorance was genuine or feigned, Leila fretted over what lay ahead.
Suddenly, the atmosphere changed as a spirited female voice echoed through the entrance. “Landon, how could you? If I don’t seek you, you never bother. And if you want to avoid my wrath, you’d better find a way to make amends.”
Sarah, dressed in a striking red gown, stormed in and caught sight of Leila.
Leila tried to ignore Sarah and turned to leave, but Sarah was not about to let Leila slip away so easily.
Stepping forward, Sarah blocked Leila’s path. “Leila,” she said, her voice cold, her smile chilling. “It’s been a while.”
Sarah’s gaze was laced with blatant animosity. The memories of that desolate place she’d been sent to were still fresh in her mind.
Sarah felt she had thought it through. There was no way Landon could be indifferent toward her. It had to be Leila stirring up drama. Being Landon’s wife, Leila’s actions could influence public opinion.
In Sarah’s eyes, Landon was blameless. So was she. If anyone should be blamed, it was Leila.
Leila met Sarah’s gaze with a frosty stare and motioned for Sarah to step aside.
Sarah, undeterred, folded her arms and her demeanor grew even more defiant. “Didn’t expect this, huh? After all this time, I’m the one standing tall. Just look at yourself. You repulse people. It just proves you were always meant to be beneath me.”
Leila arched an eyebrow and gestured that she had already decided to divorce Landon, implying Sarah could leave her be.
Sarah struggled to understand Leila’s gestures, but she grasped the mention of “divorce.”
To Sarah, Leila appeared to be making fun of her, likely feeling a sense of satisfaction. She assumed Leila meant she wasn’t going to divorce Landon, leaving Sarah perpetually as the other woman.
Trembling with rage, Sarah struck Leila with a fierce slap.
Stunned, Leila clutched her face as she gazed at Sarah, puzzled by her wrath.
Sarah growled at Leila, “Just you wait, Leila! You’d better hope you never end up at my mercy. I can’t fathom why Landon tolerates you, but once he dismisses you, you’re finished.”
Memories of past grievances at the hands of the Miller family flooded back to Leila, causing her to break out in a cold sweat and her complexion to blanch.
Despite her willingness to withdraw, Leila was baffled that they still wouldn’t leave her be. Was a battle to the bitter end inevitable?
Tired of being tormented, a glimmer of hatred had sparked in Leila’s eyes for the first time.
“Sarah!” A male voice interrupted sharply from above. Landon was perched on the spiral staircase, his eyes locked on the scene below. It was unclear how much he had witnessed.
Caught off guard, Sarah swiftly adopted a pitiful look. “Landon, I didn’t mean for this to happen. Leila provoked me and insulted me. I just lost control…”
Sarah feigned tears, as though she was the victim of the slap.
Leila, nursing her sore cheek, stood silently, her gaze avoiding Landon’s as she made no attempt to justify herself. There was no point in defending herself. Would Landon actually take her side against Sarah if she spoke up?
Unbeknownst to Leila, Landon’s gaze had lingered on her throughout, his expression a mix of intricate emotions.
Eventually, Landon offered a gentle smile. “Don’t worry. I know you’re not to blame. Go upstairs.”
Overwhelmed with excitement, Sarah rushed up the stairs toward Landon, deliberately bumping Leila’s shoulder as she passed.
Suppressing her frustration and feeling somewhat disinterested, Leila turned to leave.
As Leila walked away, the sounds of Landon and Sarah’s playful banter reached her ears.
“Landon, why haven’t you visited? I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve been swamped with work. But I’ll make it up to you today. Remember that car you liked last time? I’m arranging for it to be delivered to you.”
“Oh my goodness!” Sarah gasped, her hand covering her mouth in astonishment. “But that’s a limited edition from Ysland. They don’t even sell it here!”
“That’s not an issue,” Landon replied nonchalantly. “I’ll have it flown in. Whatever you desire, consider it yours.”
Sarah’s joy was palpable, her eyes shimmering with tears. For a moment, she felt as though all her troubles had melted away.
Yet, for some inexplicable reason, Landon still seemed hesitant to get closer.
Sarah decided it was best not to push him. Landon was known for his reliability. She assumed he likely intended to reserve that special moment for when they got married. Once Landon divorced Leila, everything would be fine.
Even if Leila resisted the divorce, Sarah had myriad ways to ensure her disappearance.
Leaning on Landon’s arm, Sarah nestled her head on his shoulder, radiating joy. “Right now, I feel like the luckiest woman alive.”
Blinded by her affection, Sarah failed to see the disdain and reluctance in Landon’s eyes as she drew nearer.
Leila wanted to block it all out, yet her ears betrayed her, capturing each word. A plane delivering a car-such an opulent gesture. It was typical of Landon. He aimed to broadcast to the entire city that Sarah was his cherished one. And her? What was her role here?
Leila felt she was merely the butt of a cruel joke. Lacking support, she was an easy target for their cruelty, believing she wouldn’t retaliate or express her anger.
Leila bowed her head, gently touching her stomach. She felt utterly worthless as a mother. She pondered if there was ever a chance to change her circumstances.
For now, her only option was to endure until the birth of her child. Afterward, she would take her baby and leave.
For the following days, Leila made a point of steering clear of Landon. Despite sharing the same house, their encounters became increasingly rare. However, they occasionally still crossed paths.
Whenever they did, Leila’s face remained an icy mask, betraying no recognition of Landon.
One day, as relentless rain seemed intent on flooding the world outside, they met in the hallway.
A chilling wind swept through, cutting against Leila’s back. Yet, the coldness of the breeze was nothing compared to the frost in her heart.
Leila maintained her composed facade, but the sight of Landon’s indifferent expression twisted a knife in her heart.
Landon caught her eye briefly. “What’s up?” he asked casually.
In fact, it was Leila who had sought him out this time. She took a deep breath, attempting to steady her frazzled nerves. With a gesture, she conveyed her feelings of being suffocated in the house and her desire to get out, even if just for a while.
Landon simply pursed his lips, offering no response.
Seeing him like this, Leila grew even more anxious. Was he about to refuse? She continued gesturing, signaling her intention to stay put as per their agreement. She indicated that if he had concerns, he could always have someone keep an eye on her.
Landon finally broke the silence, his words sharp and piercing, “Why bother watching you? I only kept you here to signal to Brent not to stir trouble. Run if you wish. I have countless ways to retrieve you.”
His tone carried a palpable threat, and Leila sensed he was dead serious. He truly meant what he said.
With her anxiety mounting, Leila averted her gaze from Landon’s icy stare and looked downward. Her hand waved faintly, querying whether this meant she could indeed leave.
“Yes, you can leave.” Landon’s eyes lifted, his smile enigmatic. “I’ll let you go on one condition. You must fulfill my request first.”
Leila was taken aback by this. Perhaps Landon’s consent was merely the result of a favorable mood.
After a brief pause, she gestured her agreement, provided his request wasn’t unreasonable.
Landon waved at Leila, prompting her to follow him.
They departed from the villa just as Melinda arrived, hoping to catch Landon.