Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
As they waited, Landon did something unexpected. He removed his mask.
Leila’s eyes widened in surprise, and she couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you concerned about being recognized? Even though we’re in my home, Leila couldn’t be certain none of the servants would identify Landon.”
Landon’s pale complexion, highlighted by the long-worn mask, made the scar on his face all the more prominent. But the scar didn’t diminish Landon’s handsomeness. If anything, it added a rugged edge to his features.
Landon’s eyes swept the room with a cold, commanding gaze. “You’re the one who hired these people. Leila, I trust your judgment. You wouldn’t bring anyone here who doesn’t know how to mind their business.”
The few servants who recognized Landon quickly lowered their heads, avoiding his piercing stare. None dared to look at him again.
Sophie, however, looked at Landon’s face with innocent curiosity, her gaze lingering on the scar.
Landon felt a bit self-conscious under her scrutiny. He cleared his throat and subtly turned his face away, attempting to hide the scar. “Sophie, do you think what’s on my face is ugly? Does it scare you?” Landon asked, his voice light but tinged with caution.
Sophie shook her head, her voice brimming with innocent assurance. “No, it doesn’t scare me. There’s a boy in my kindergarten who got scratched on his hand when he saved a kitten. He told me it’s his hero mark. So, the mark on your face must mean you’re a hero too!”
Landon’s heart swelled at her words, softening as he looked at Sophie. Leila, with a gentle smile, added more food to Sophie’s plate. “Eat well, sweetheart. The stronger you are, the less anyone can push you around.”
Sophie nodded eagerly. “Exactly! I’ll grow up big and strong, and then I’ll protect you so no one can ever bully you.”
As they settled into the meal, the room filled with the quiet clinks of utensils. The silence wasn’t awkward; it was warm and comforting. For the first time in a long while, Landon felt a deep, unexpected sense of warmth and belonging.
Landon hadn’t felt the warmth of a family gathering in years. Before heading to Halstead to take over Landon’s company, Leila made sure to handle something important. Leila asked Erhan to arrange a meeting but insisted that her name not be mentioned.
Meanwhile, Joanna had been feeling increasingly guilty about her recent actions. The news that Mr. Lando had left the room with Leila that day only heightened her anxiety. She worried that her plans might unravel. However, when Leila and Mr. Lando publicly confirmed their engagement, Joanna’s nerves settled somewhat. It seemed she had achieved her goal, after all.
And when Leila didn’t confront her afterward, Joanna began to relax, gradually letting the matter slip from her mind. Leila was powerless against her. With the Martel family standing behind her, Joanna felt untouchable, and no one would dare to cross the Martel family.
Joanna’s guilt and unease had kept her from quarreling with Ethan. So when Joanna heard that Ethan wanted to take her out to dinner, she agreed immediately, a rare smile gracing her face. It had been so long since Ethan had invited her out, and she couldn’t help but feel a little happy.
Joanna dressed up thoughtfully and arrived at the appointed place, but to her surprise, Ethan wasn’t there. Only Leila awaited her.
Leila wasn’t as warm and gentle as before. This time, her demeanor was much colder, her eyes sharp. As Joanna’s smile slowly faded, Leila remained unfazed. She approached Joanna, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Mrs. Brooks, are you free today? How about we finally have that talk you owe me?”
Joanna’s shock quickly gave way to realization, and her expression hardened. “Sorry. I’m not free today. I was planning to have dinner with my husband. Surely, you wouldn’t want to meddle in our private affairs, would you?”
Without missing a beat, Leila’s hand shot out, gripping Joanna’s wrist with a firm hold that kept Joanna rooted in place. The warmth drained from her expression, replaced by an icy resolve. “There’s no need to go looking for Ethan. I’m the one who arranged this meeting, using his name. I figured you’d feel guilty to meet me otherwise.”
Joanna’s face contorted with anger, her voice laced with venom. “So, you finally admit it! You’ve been after my husband all along! Utterly shameless!”
Leila didn’t get mad over Joanna’s baseless accusation. “I originally planned to explain that there was nothing between Ethan and me,” Leila said, her voice cool and steady, “But now, I see there’s no point explaining to you. Why should I care what you think? You’d better cooperate, or who knows what might happen.” As Leila finished speaking, several bodyguards materialized around them, their presence unmistakable.
Joanna’s face drained of color, but she attempted to mask her fear with bravado, threatening, “You wouldn’t dare! You know who I am-if you harm me, you won’t last a day in Burmoos!”
Leila kept her cool, her grip firm as she pulled Joanna further inside.
“I’ve met your mother before. She’s a woman of integrity who values family. If I were to share the truth about what happened, I’m certain she’d be on my side. In fact, she might even consider having you jailed, given the gravity of your actions.”
Joanna’s confidence began to crack, a flicker of panic crossing her face. She knew Leila was right. Her mother wouldn’t turn a blind eye to wrongdoing.
Desperate to regain control, Joanna forced herself to sound composed. “Then sue me if you think you can! I’d like to see you prove it. Let’s see if you actually have any evidence.”
“Evidence? Is that what you want?” Leila’s gaze sharpened, realizing Joanna’s arrogance wouldn’t falter without undeniable proof.
With a simple gesture, Leila signaled a bodyguard, who swiftly brought in a man, tightly bound with rope. The restaurant staff continued their work, unperturbed by the scene unfolding before them.
Joanna’s eyes widened as it dawned on her. This was Leila’s domain. The mask was ripped off the man’s head, and as soon as Joanna recognized him, her face drained of color.
Panic set in as the man, now exposed, began to plead frantically. “Ma’am, you have to clear this up! You’re the one who made me do it! I’d never have dared to plan this on my own! You paid me a hefty sum! I still have the money. You can’t deny it!”
Joanna’s knees nearly buckled as the reality of the situation sank in, her confidence crumbling. Without hesitation, Leila signaled her men to escort Joanna into a nearby room. Once there, they forced Joanna to her knees on the cold, hard floor.
Despite her vulnerable position, Joanna’s fury flared. “Leila, I did it because I despise you! It’s your fault for coming back. What, did you think you could just waltz in and steal my life? You’re nothing but a whore! Don’t think I’m blind. I know you’re after Ethan!”
Joanna’s voice dripped with venom as she spat out, “Even if you have evidence, what’s the point? No matter what you intend to do to me, you’ll be breaking the law just like me. We can both rot in jail together.”
Joanna’s stubborn defiance only made Leila’s gaze grow colder. But instead of anger, a subtle, unsettling smile curved Leila’s lips. “You’ve misunderstood, Joanna. I have no desire to break the law,” she said, her voice cool and measured. “I’m here to show you what it feels like to be treated the way you treated me.”
“You can’t do that. Are you even human?” Joanna’s voice trembled with panic as she realized the gravity of the situation.
Leila found Joanna’s words almost laughable. The irony was too much. Joanna knew just how vile her actions had been, yet here she was, pleading for mercy.
“Obviously, I won’t sink to your level,” Leila retorted, her voice dripping with icy sarcasm as she looked down at Joanna. “What you did was disgraceful, and I refuse to become as shameless as you.”
Joanna bit her lower lip, her humiliation clear, but she stubbornly tried to defend herself. “The man I found for you is powerful. I was just trying to keep you away from my husband. You have a daughter to think about, and your life isn’t easy. Even if you marry someone else, he’ll probably resent you. I was doing you a favor. You should be grateful. Who else would want someone like you?”
Leila didn’t waste time engaging with Joanna’s twisted reasoning. She now understood that arguing with someone like Joanna was futile. Joanna would never admit she was wrong.
Leila knew the best way to get justice wasn’t through words but by taking away what Joanna valued most. The door behind Joanna creaked open, and Ethan stepped into the room. He had been standing there all along, his eyes red and his hands trembling with emotion.
Joanna felt a chill as she sensed his presence. Leila gave a subtle nod, and the bodyguards released their hold on Joanna. Joanna turned around quickly, and the sight of Ethan standing there was like a crushing blow.
“When did you get here? How long have you been standing there?” Joanna’s voice shook, barely holding on to a sliver of hope.
In a desperate attempt to regain control, Joanna pleaded, “Whatever Leila told you, don’t believe her! I’m your wife, the one you should trust. She’s just jealous and wants to ruin what we have. Can’t you see she’s trying to manipulate you? Her intentions are anything but pure!”
Ethan’s expression darkened as he slowly shook his head, the disappointment in his eyes unmistakable. “Leila didn’t say a word. Everything I needed to know, I heard straight from your actions.”
Joanna’s face flushed with a mix of shame, fear, and desperation. Her eyes flickered with conflicting emotions, but ultimately, she swallowed her pride and crawled over to Ethan, clutching the fabric of his pants.
Joanna said emotionally, “I’ve been by your side for so long, Ethan. I’ve never lowered my head. I love you so much. What did I really do wrong? I’ll apologize to Leila. I’ll make it up to her. From now on, I won’t give her any more trouble. Can’t we just move past this and pretend it never happened? For your sake, I’m willing to let it all go.”
But Ethan’s expression remained clouded with disappointment. He stepped back, avoiding Joanna’s grasp.
“The truth is, I stayed with you not just because of family pressure. Initially, I didn’t feel much for you, but I respected you. I saw how capable and intelligent you were.”
He paused, his expression darkening with the weight of his words. “When I agreed to marry you, I committed myself to building a future together. Yes, I once cared deeply for Leila, but I accepted that our past was behind us, and there was no going back.”
Ethan’s voice softened as he revealed his intentions. “Before everything unraveled, I was planning to take you on a trip. I knew Leila’s return had affected you deeply, and I thought some time away from Burmoos would help. I wanted to give you space, maybe even stay away until she left, to bring you some peace.”
Joanna’s eyes widened with a mix of disbelief and regret. “How can that be? I saw how restless you were after she came back. You couldn’t sleep, and you started going out alone at night. You even changed the password on your phone. What were you hiding from me?”
Ethan’s lips curved into a faint, disappointed smile, tinged with the sadness of unspoken truths. “I remember your birthday is a month after your mother’s.
I was preparing for it early. Yes, I did change my phone’s password a few days ago, and I told you about it at that time. But you were focused on the old photos on my computer. You accused me of holding on to Leila, but you didn’t hear a word I said.”
He continued, his tone unwavering. “Those photos are part of my past-memories of me, my sister, and Leila. There isn’t a single one of just Leila and me.”
Leila, standing nearby, nodded in confirmation. “It’s true. She had never enjoyed taking photos. If it hadn’t been for Linsey’s insistence, she wouldn’t have been in those pictures at all.”
Joanna’s expression flickered, her smile quickly dissolving into tears. “No! It can’t be! Are you telling me I’ve been fighting a ghost-an imaginary threat all this time? I don’t believe you’re over Leila! Not entirely. Unless you swear it, write it down, and make an affidavit. Maybe then I can pretend none of this happened.”
Joanna’s voice wavered, tinged with desperation and a hint of madness. Ethan’s face hardened, his patience finally spent. “I’m done explaining,” Ethan said, his tone final. “Believe what you want. My decision is made.”
He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and tossed it in front of Joanna. Joanna’s eyes widened as she read the words “Divorce Agreement,” feeling as though the world had just crumbled beneath her feet.
“No!” she cried out, stumbling awkwardly. She grabbed Ethan’s hand. “We can’t divorce! Our marriage has been perfect. Your family adores me, and my family loves yours. We can’t end it like this!”
“When we got married, everyone in Burmoos celebrated. You can’t just be this heartless, Ethan! What will people say about me if we divorce?”
Joanna’s voice shook with desperation, but Ethan’s expression remained stone-cold. Seeing her grip slipping, Joanna played what she thought was her ace.
“If your family finds out, they’ll never let this happen. Your parents made it clear that only the man who marries me is eligible to inherit the Brooks family fortune. Without my support, you’ll be completely cut off, Ethan.”
Joanna expected her words to rattle Ethan, but instead, his gaze grew even frostier. Ethan shook off her hand, his voice rising with finality. “Let me make something clear, Joanna. I have no desire to inherit the Brooks family legacy. If you think you can manipulate me with that, you’re gravely mistaken. Even if I’m cast out of my family, I will divorce you. Let’s end this with some dignity. Don’t make it worse.”