Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Landon’s sarcasm was lost on Brent, who only saw cruelty in Landon.
In a burst of anger, Brent lunged forward, grabbing Landon by the shirt. “If Leila makes it back safely, I swear I’ll show her who you really are. You don’t deserve her deep love!”
“Her deep love…” Landon repeated, these words feeling foreign on his lips.
Rather than reacting with anger, Landon responded with a question, “Are you saying she deeply loves me?”
This only infuriated Brent further, interpreting Landon’s question as a provocation.
“What on earth does Leila see in Landon?” Brent asked quietly.
Fuming, Brent clenched his fist, poised to strike Landon.
“Stop!” The shout pierced the air, resounding sternly from the doorway.
Recognizing the voice, Brent’s fury surged, yet he mastered his temper just enough to let go of Landon, his actions marked by a resentful reluctance.
Jerome staggered in, each cough racking his body and slicing through the tense silence, a clear testament to his emotional turmoil.
Without missing a beat, Landon dialed Edgar, instructing the latter to receive Jerome properly, a gesture of concern that Brent viewed with icy contempt.
“Utterly hypocritical,” Brent muttered under his breath.
Jerome fixed a sharp gaze on Brent. “I’ve mentored you for years, hoping you’d learn to steady your impulses. Yet here you are, as rash as ever,” he chided.
Brent retorted, a mix of defiance and frustration coloring his words, “This isn’t about impulse. It’s about justice. How can he just trample over Leila’s feelings? She’s missing, for crying out loud! I’ve been tormented by worry and haven’t slept a wink in days. Grandpa, I know you share my sentiments. But what about Landon? He should be desperate since he’s still her husband! And yet, he barely acknowledges her!”
“Enough!” Jerome’s command cut through the mounting tension, a sharp reminder of his authority.
Brent turned his head sulkily, pursed his lips together, and stormed out of Landon’s office.
Landon adjusted his slightly disheveled clothes and cast a respectful glance at Jerome. “Jerome, I’m really sorry for making you worry,” he said earnestly.
Jerome stepped closer, lowering his voice as he inquired, “Is Leila okay?”
Landon let out a sigh. “I’m not sure yet. I can only say that her life is not in any immediate danger.”
Jerome exhaled heavily, his tone laden with a subtle reproach as he stared at Landon. “I understand you face your own challenges. I still believe you’re a good man, even though you haven’t disclosed everything. Just remember, Leila needn’t have to endure these sufferings. Once she’s safe, I hope you’ll overcome your obsessions. The Hayes family will ensure her protection.”
Landon opened his mouth to object, but after a moment of reflection, he found no grounds for rebuttal. Jerome was right. The perils facing Leila stemmed from his actions. He lacked any right to insist she remain by his side.
Finally, Landon nodded solemnly. “I promise you, Jerome. I’ll do everything I can to protect her. This is all my fault.”
Jerome responded by placing a reassuring hand on Landon’s shoulder. “If you have the time, you should visit your mother in the hospital. You haven’t shared what happened that night, but your demeanor suggests there were issues. If you trust me, let me handle Leila’s situation. Though I’m old, Brent will assist me. Dwelling too much on these matters could leave you open to manipulation.”
Landon grasped the significance of Jerome’s words. Despite his reservations, he nodded, offering a wry smile. “Thank you.”
As Jerome turned to leave, Landon called out to stop him. “If Leila is rescued safely and remains unharmed, could you please convey a message from me? Ask her when she wishes to proceed with the divorce. It’s clearly what she wants, and I won’t delay it any longer.”
Jerome gave no reply, merely sighing deeply.
Meanwhile, Brent was openly rebuffing Edgar’s well-meaning gestures. “Your boss finds the time to send you to appease me but not to search for Leila?”
Edgar explained with a smile, “I’m just swamped with work, and Mr. Kensington is aware. But rest assured, Mr. Hayes. Mr. Kensington hasn’t stopped the search for his wife. We will find her eventually.”
“Eventually?” Brent’s barely contained anger was on the verge of erupting again. “So, how long do we have to wait? One year? Two?”
Brent’s voice grew louder with frustration. “How could I fail to see through that Landon is such a heartless man? Even if their marriage is failing and they’re headed for divorce, Leila and he have a shared history since childhood. The way he disregards Leila is indicative of how he treats everyone else!”
Brent’s outburst drew the attention of bystanders.
Edgar, feigning embarrassment, urged discretion. “Mr. Hayes, please lower your voice. We can resolve any issues through respectful communication.”
“Stop trying to calm things down, Edgar.” Just then, Sarah walked over, her high heels clicking delicately against the floor, her face radiant and adorned with a triumphant smile.
Upon hearing that Leila was missing, Sarah’s mood was unprecedentedly cheerful, her demeanor seemingly more vibrant and energetic than ever.
The coldness in Brent’s eyes intensified at the sight of Sarah.
Assuming the role of the hostess, Sarah casually handed her handbag to Edgar. “Book a restaurant for my dinner appointment with Landon tonight. And find out if he’s free next week. I’m planning a short trip abroad with him.”
Edgar simply nodded.
Brent scoffed, glaring at Edgar. “Is this the pressing work you mentioned?”
Edgar gave an awkward chuckle and quickly retreated with Sarah’s belongings.
Brent, wanting to avoid any more interactions with Sarah, prepared to leave.
However, Sarah crossed her arms and blocked his path. “Mr. Hayes, I understand you’re anxious, but there’s no need to be harsh with Landon. It was Leila who insisted on paying her respects, which led to this predicament. Roderick had no ties to her. I fail to see why she gets so involved every year. Perhaps she aims to flaunt a special connection with the Kensington family through such actions. Why praise such a pretentious attitude?”
Brent had been taught never to lose his temper with women, so he merely stared at Sarah coldly. Then, with a hint of sarcasm, he inquired, “Miss Miller, from what stance are you arguing? As Landon’s friend, or perhaps something more?”
Sarah’s expression contorted with fury. “If not for Leila refusing to grant a divorce, Landon and I would have been together long ago! How dare you judge me? Who really is interfering in others’ affairs? I think it’s quite obvious to everyone.”
Brent echoed her sentiment mockingly, “Yes, indeed, it’s crystal clear to everyone.”
Sarah’s anger surged, and she raised her hand to strike him.
Brent caught her wrist and met her gaze with an icy look. “I prefer not to raise a hand against a woman. Miss Miller, would you like to be the exception?”
With a disdainful snort, Sarah withdrew her hand. She appraised Brent with a measured look, her anger swiftly dissolving into a sinister smile. “I might be labeled as the other woman, but you, Brent, are hardly one to talk. Leila hasn’t divorced Landon yet. Didn’t you also meddle in their relationship? Moreover, Leila’s actions are far more shameful. She not only cheated on Landon but also became pregnant with your child. And then she tried to deceive Landon. Ugh!”
Brent’s eyes widened in disbelief, his voice tinged with shock. “What absurdity is this?”
Sarah interpreted Brent’s reaction as nervousness since she had just exposed him.
Oblivious to the truth and Landon’s plan, Sarah couldn’t suppress a smug grin, feeling she had something on Brent and Leila.
“According to the doctor, the baby Leila’s carrying couldn’t possibly be Landon’s, not if we go by the dates,” Sarah declared with calculated poise. “During that time, you were the one she was seen with most. If you’re not the father, then who is? Seems like you’re trying to back away. Poor Leila, caught in such a situation.”
Brent took several deep breaths, his mind racing as he processed the implications.
It dawned on Brent that the doctor must have been bought off. And Landon, that poor sap, was likely still in the dark, oblivious to the fact that Leila’s unborn child was indeed his.
There was nothing between Brent and Leila that went beyond friendship. Any romantic involvement between them was impossible, not to mention having an affair.
Brent was confident Leila would never cheat on Landon and get entangled with other men, given the purity and sincerity of her love for Landon.
Yet, people like Sarah actually stooped so low as to fabricate scandalous tales to tarnish Leila’s reputation. Even Landon, who should have been Leila’s staunchest supporter, doubted her integrity, leaving Brent deeply indignant on Leila’s behalf.
However, part of Brent saw a silver lining. With all these turbulent issues, Leila might get the chance to divorce Landon and start anew with her child, unencumbered by the past.
It was just that Sarah’s self-satisfied, venomous smirk irked Brent profoundly.
Gathering his composure, Brent snapped, “Leila is under the protection of the Hayes family. Any slight against her is an affront to me. Don’t fool yourself into thinking I’ll stand down just because Landon supports you. Your threats hold no weight here. If you dare slander Leila again, you can only guess what I’ll do.”
Brent’s voice carried a chilling promise that instantly wiped the smugness off Sarah’s face.
Sarah met his unwavering gaze, understanding fully that he meant every word he said. He had the means and the will to act on his threats.
Amidst her fear and reluctance, envy gnawed at Sarah. What was it about Leila that made her so protected? Why did everyone seem to be charmed by Leila’s supposedly innocent and pure demeanor?
Not reconciled, Sarah retorted with a challenging tone, “If you want to make enemies of the Kensington family, then go ahead.”