Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Melinda caught a glimpse of Leila climbing into Landon’s car, her face shadowed by a frown.
Melinda even questioned her own eyesight for a moment. If everything had gone according to her schemes, the primary doctor should have already informed Landon about Leila’s pregnancy, barely a month underway. Landon would have believed it wasn’t his child.
Knowing Landon’s temperament, Melinda was certain he wouldn’t tolerate any betrayal. How could he possibly keep Leila close?
Was he losing his senses?
However, that wasn’t the crucial issue. The critical point was that, in time, it would become apparent that Leila’s pregnancy was further along than a month.
Once Landon noticed the discrepancy, he would connect the dots back to the primary doctor and eventually to Melinda. In no time, Landon would understand he was misled.
The mere thought of Landon’s potential retaliation sent a chill through Melinda. She pondered the situation. What maneuvering was Leila employing to maintain her place here?
Melinda knew she couldn’t merely sit back and watch events unfold.
A flicker of icy resolve passed through Melinda’s eyes. If it came to it, she would ensure that the child growing inside Leila vanished without leaving a single trace behind.
Once the child was no longer in the picture, even if Leila eventually pieced things together, there would be no proof to support her suspicions.
Melinda composed herself, smoothing the emotion from her face.
“Excuse me, who are you?” A voice unexpectedly called out from behind, jolting Melinda from her dark reverie.
Melinda turned around to find a striking woman standing there. The woman’s beauty was undeniable, yet her gaze carried a calculating sharpness. It appeared they were cut from the same cloth.
A spark of recognition lit Melinda’s eyes. This had to be Landon’s infamous other woman, Sarah.
Quickly devising a strategy, Melinda offered a warm smile as she approached. “You must be Sarah. I’m Melinda, Landon’s sister-in-law. His mom has been under the weather recently, and I’m here to convince him to come visit her.”
Upon hearing this, Sarah’s expression softened, and she greeted Melinda with a smile. “Oh, you’re his sister-in-law? Come on in, I’ll show you around.”
As Sarah assumed the role of hostess, Melinda couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disdain. Mistresses were the people she despised most, yet her success now hinged on Sarah’s cooperation.
Once settled, Sarah turned to Melinda with genuine curiosity. “We’ve hardly met before, yet you remember me. Does Landon mention me often at home?”
With feigned innocence, Melinda replied, “Oh, absolutely. Everyone at home is actually quite saddened that you and Landon didn’t marry. If only it had been you… Well, let’s not dwell on what could’ve been. Leila would make a scene if she knew we discussed this.”
At this, the smile nearly faded from Sarah’s face. “Make a scene? What kind of scene are you talking about?”
Melinda lowered her voice. “Even though she can’t speak, her temper is fierce. Every time Landon mentions your name at home, it sparks a major argument with her. She’s the adopted daughter of the Kensington family and, nominally, Landon’s wife. Our hands are tied. Before they were married, Leila was relentless. She wouldn’t let Landon anywhere near other women. There was nothing we could do.”
“That’s absurd!” Sarah’s outrage was palpable as she slammed her hand on the table, her expression seething with anger.
Melinda’s lips curled into a sly smirk, knowing she had struck a nerve. She sighed, offering Sarah a look of sympathy that felt strangely unsettling.
Sarah shifted uncomfortably under Melinda’s gaze. “Is there something wrong?”
“I just think, after our chat today, that we really click,” Melinda remarked, her voice tinged with feigned regret. “But it’s such a shame you might not have a future with Landon.”
Sarah’s anxiety spiked. “Why wouldn’t I? Landon and I are deeply in love. It’s only because Landon and Leila haven’t divorced yet. If we manage to get Leila out of the picture, there will surely be talk. It’s all Leila’s fault. She has no shame. I wouldn’t ever come back if I were in her shoes.”
“That’s not it,” Melinda said, fixing Sarah with a steady gaze. “Landon’s decision to keep Leila here isn’t what you think. I understand his motives, but I’m worried you might find them too hard to handle.”
Sarah felt her heart skip a beat. Her eyes widened as she asked, “Is it because Leila is pregnant?”
Melinda nodded.
After Melinda left, Sarah’s rage boiled over. She smashed everything in sight, consumed by a fury so intense that she imagined seizing a knife and ending Leila’s life herself.
Sarah was livid. Why was Leila pregnant? How could Leila possibly be pregnant? That had to be the reason she refused to leave..
After her pent-up emotions subsided, Sarah’s fury began to wane. She knew that the baby Leila was carrying had to be dealt with, but she realized that any overt actions might play right into Leila’s hands.
It was commonly believed that while a man might not always love a woman, guilt could bind him to her in unexpected ways.
Determined, Sarah resolved to leave openings for Leila to exploit.
Meanwhile, Leila was under the impression that Landon was taking her to a place of ill repute. Anxiety and fear clouded her thoughts during the entire journey.
However, to her astonishment, they ended up at a shopping mall instead. It was one owned by the prestigious Kensington Group, renowned for its array of luxury boutiques.
During their marriage, Landon had presented Leila with a card that offered limitless spending within the mall, an ultimate VIP privilege.
Despite the lack of emotional warmth in their marriage, Landon had always been generous with material comforts.
Reflecting on her past woes, Leila regretted not taking advantage of the card to indulge in lavish shopping sprees at the mall sooner.
As they entered, Leila remained puzzled about Landon’s true intentions. She trailed him to the third floor, a place dominated by upscale women’s brands.
Landon strode into a jewelry store where a sales associate promptly welcomed them with a smile. “Good morning, sir. Are you looking to select some jewelry for this lady?”
Landon’s response was icy. “Is there just one person working in this whole place? I don’t need your help. Find someone else.”
The associate stood frozen, baffled by his abruptness.
The store manager, recognizing Landon, quickly intervened and redirected the confused associate. “Go busy yourself over there and don’t get in Mr. Kensington’ way.”
The manager then ushered Landon and Leila into the VIP lounge. He presented a list to them. “These are the latest pieces we have, Mr. Kensington. Feel free to take a look.”
Landon passed the list to Leila and uttered briefly, “You pick.”
Confused, Leila made a sign with her hands, seeking clarification.
Landon’s attention was elsewhere when he said, “Cut out the gestures. I don’t want to see them.”
Leila sighed and pulled out her phone. She typed, “What do you mean?”
Landon responded calmly, “Is it so difficult to grasp? I’m choosing a gift for the woman beside me. I thought you might help pick it out since she might not appreciate my choice.”
Leila had suspected this might be the reason, but his words still stung. Was the gift meant for Sarah? Landon was aware of the tension between her and Sarah, yet he insisted she help select a gift for Sarah. It felt like a deliberate insult.
With a frosty look, Leila tossed the list aside and began typing again. “Sorry, I’m not well-acquainted with Miss Miller, so I’m not sure about her preferences. Since you’re closer to her, you’d probably know better. I don’t think you need my input.”
Landon’s tone was calm, yet there was an underlying menace. “Then, I must ask if you’re still planning to visit Brent.”
Leila was taken aback. Could Landon read her mind? How did he know she wanted to see Brent?
Her puzzled expression only made Landon chuckle. “Is it so baffling? I’ve heard Jerome is improving. He might even be out of bed now. Since you’re close to them, it makes sense for you to visit, doesn’t it?”
At the mention of Jerome’s better condition, Leila was genuinely happy. Clapping a hand over her mouth in astonishment, she stood up abruptly, only to sit down again, struggling to contain her elation.
She resolved to see Brent first before heading to the hospital to check on Jerome. Discussing it with Landon might lead not only to lies but also to biting sarcasm.
Landon observed Leila’s reactions closely, his eyes narrowing as if piecing together a puzzle. “So, that’s not the real reason,” he declared, his voice dripping with disdain. “You’re keen to see Brent, aren’t you? It’s clear now.”
Leila responded with a look of confusion and typed, “What does my meeting with Brent have to do with you?”
Landon, stunned momentarily, then retorted with increased intensity, “I’m your husband. How could it not concern me?”
Unyielding, Leila typed her response, firm and resolute. “In name only. I’m aware of your eagerness to divorce me and be with Sarah-I want that too. You don’t need to wield our marriage like a weapon against me. And for the record, there’s nothing going on between Brent and me, contrary to what you believe.”
Landon gave her a dark look, inhaling deeply as if to temper his rising anger. He gestured toward the list. “Pick something quickly if you want to leave early. If I don’t approve of your choices, you’ll have to start over.”
Leila was aware that Landon was intentionally dragging things out to keep her from meeting Brent. She didn’t have time to ponder his motives.