Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Returning to the Kensington’ villa after work one day, Leila noticed several Rolls-Royce cars lined up outside the gate, stirring a sense of dread within her.
Recognizing the vehicles, Leila contemplated making a quick exit. But it was too late.
The security guard spotted Leila and hurried over.
“Madam, your mother-in-law is here today,” the guard informed Leila. “She would like to see you as soon as you get back. She has something important to discuss with you.”
Leila pursed her lips, took out her phone, and began to type a message. “I’m tied up with other commitments today and won’t be able to meet with her. Please let her know we can arrange another time to talk.”
Leila had just finished typing and was about to leave when a woman’s voice halted her in her tracks. “Living in my son’s house and trying to avoid me? What the hell was that?”
The words made Leila’s heart pound. She spun around to face Shirley, her expression icy.
Shirley, flanked by a group, advanced toward Leila with a hostile air.
Leila remembered hearing from the servants that Shirley and Landon had fallen out over some disagreement, leading to a strained relationship. Consequently, Shirley’s visits had become infrequent.
Leila had once believed she would never cross paths with Shirley again.
Yet, there Shirley stood, scrutinizing Leila’s defensive stance and scoffing with a glint of disdain in her eyes. “Considering you and Landon are still legally wed, don’t you think your reaction to seeing your mother-in-law is a bit much?”
Leila responded with sign language, her messages saying that she was already divorcing Landon and her stay here was only temporary for specific reasons. She stressed that any questions should be directed at Landon.
Sign language had been mandatory during Roderick’s time, but Shirley, who harbored no fondness for Leila, had always resented it.
Previously, Leila avoided signing in Shirley’s presence, hoping to please her.
But now, circumstances had changed. The concerns of the Kensington family no longer occupied Leila’s thoughts. She was living for herself now, reveling in a newfound sense of freedom.
Shirley scoffed and motioned to the bodyguards. “Can’t you see this woman lacks basic manners? Take her inside. It’s embarrassing to have her create a spectacle at the door.”
Leila’s expression grew even frostier. She surveyed the bodyguards surrounding her. Continuing to resist would only make things worse for herself.
Reluctantly, Leila muttered curses under her breath at Landon and trailed after Shirley into the mansion.
Meanwhile, to keep Sarah appeased, Landon had invited her to dinner.
Joy and affection shone in Sarah’s eyes as she gazed at Landon. Had there been fewer people around, she might have leapt into his arms.
Looking around, Sarah voiced her discomfort, “Why choose such a crowded restaurant? It feels somewhat awkward with all these eyes on us.”
Landon offered a gentle smile. “Aren’t the dishes here your favorites? I specifically chose this place, although it’s always packed and reservations are tough to secure.” Sarah nodded, acknowledging the truth of his words.
Indeed, it was a premier eatery in the city, a popular spot among the affluent and influential. A reservation here required at least a week’s notice. Landon seemed to have thoughtfully chosen the restaurant.
Yet, unknown to Sarah, Edgar was the one who had actually selected it.
Landon had made it clear they didn’t need a secluded area and having more people around was preferable.
If not for his worry about Sarah making a scene, Edgar might have opted for a more ordinary venue.
Just then, Landon’s phone buzzed. His expression shifted as he glanced at it.
Sarah, driven by curiosity, leaned in.
With a composed demeanor, Landon shifted his phone away, explaining, “It’s an urgent call from work.”
Despite his efforts, Sarah caught sight of the screen. It displayed a landline number from the Kensington family’s villa. She yearned to confront Landon about his lie, but fear of his reaction silenced her.
Landon ignored the call, but the phone rang once more. Compelled, he stood up and walked away, phone in hand.
As Sarah watched his worried departure, a wave of anxiety washed over her.
Out of Sarah’s view, Landon’s expression was tense, his voice icy. “Is something wrong with Leila?”
The reply came through, tinged with distress. “Your mother has unexpectedly arrived at your place. Something seems off. Mr. Kensington, you need to come back and check the situation.”
Hearing this, Landon immediately exited the restaurant. “Try to calm my mother down, I’ll be back shortly,” Landon replied before ending the call.
Dialing Edgar’s number, Landon swiftly instructed, “Shirley’s stirring up trouble for Leila again. I need to head back. Cook up some excuse for Sarah, will you? Looks like I’m skipping dinner.”
Edgar paused before responding, “Miss Miller has been quite suspicious lately. If you take off now, she might throw a fit.”
“Let her throw her fit. I’m done playing these games,” Landon replied icily.
Edgar exhaled deeply. “Understood.”
Edgar grasped that whenever Leila was involved, Landon’s judgment clouded over. Once Landon set his mind to something, no one could change it.
Left with no other choice, Edgar was tasked with dealing with Sarah by himself.
“Get on your knees,” Shirley commanded harshly as they stepped into the room.
Shirley nonchalantly settled into a chair, crossed her legs with overt arrogance, and looked down on Leila with disdain.
Leila’s jaw tensed, her knees refusing to bend.
“Do you need a reminder of the rules, or shall I refresh your memory?” Shirley taunted with a smirk.
Leila, remaining upright, returned the stare, her expression icy as she signed. Her gestures showed her rejection of succumbing to Shirley’s humiliation, practically saying, “Why should I kneel? Whatever has upset you this time, please remember that we’re governed by laws now.”
Shirley’s smile thinned, her gaze turning frostier. “You shamelessly persist in refusing to divorce Landon, which means you’re still my daughter-in-law. It’s my right to discipline you. Tell me, what’s wrong with that? What law does it break?”
With a flick of her wrist, Shirley signaled.
A bodyguard immediately stepped forward, forcefully pushing Leila down until she knelt, her knee striking the floor sharply, eliciting a pained grimace from her.
Shirley eyed Leila disdainfully, suspecting Leila of exaggerating the pain.
“You really have become more delicate,” Shirley remarked sarcastically. “Now that you’re pregnant, do you think it gives you the license to defy me?”
Leila’s reaction was one of utter astonishment. Staring at Shirley, she was overtaken by a wave of disbelief and fear.
Leila recalled her own first pregnancy vividly.
When Shirley had discovered Leila’s pregnancy, she had instantly insisted on an abortion, claiming that someone like Leila was incapable of bearing a healthy child. The Kensington family would never tolerate an unhealthy heir.
But this time was different. Leila yearned deeply for this child, her own flesh and blood.
Overwhelmed by her emotions, Leila beseeched Shirley with a desperate urgency. She signed frantically, her gestures pleading as she promised to leave Landon and take the child away, never returning to trouble Landon. She added she was willing to sign a contract to show she meant her words, ready to accept any punishment if she broke her word.
“Still putting on an act?” Shirley’s anger escalated. “The child you’re carrying is illegitimate. It can’t possibly be Landon’s. You know the truth about who the real father is.”
A sad smile flickered across Leila’s face as she absorbed Shirley’s harsh words. Shirley actually resorted to lies, eager to be rid of her own child.
Clutching the fabric over her stomach, Leila resolved to protect her unborn child no matter what.
Shirley declared, “I’ve already arranged everything with the hospital and the doctor. If everything goes as planned, you’ll have the abortion tonight, divorce Landon tomorrow, and I’ll send you overseas the day after. You can choose any destination. I have just one condition. You shouldn’t return to this city.”
Leila’s hands balled into fists. Why? What right did they have to dictate her life? Why couldn’t she claim her own freedom?
Leila’s face twisted with resentment, and Shirley scoffed in response, “Don’t you dare give me that attitude. The Kensington family has supported you for years. It’s only right that you do this for them. Remember, only Roderick wanted to keep you within the family. The rest of the Kensington family dislikes you as an outsider. Stop playing the victim with me.”
Turning to the bodyguards behind her, Shirley instructed, “You guys, hurry up. I expect to hear about a successful procedure by nine tonight. If she resists, don’t hesitate to apply pressure. Just keep her alive.”