Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
As Shirley’s cold words hung in the air, the bodyguards stepped forward and grabbed Leila forcefully. Despite her frantic struggles, they overpowered her easily, gripping her limbs tightly.
Tears of despair ran down Leila’s cheeks as she watched her fate being sealed.
Suddenly, the bodyguards halted and turned, their tone respectful as they announced, “Mr. Kensington.”
A flicker of hope sparked in Leila as she lifted her gaze and noticed Landon entering the room.
Landon moved quickly, his expression tinged with anxiety. Yet, he walked straight past Leila and the bodyguards, ignoring her completely.
Leila’s struggles intensified in response.
Landon came to a halt a few feet away, his voice devoid of warmth. “Put her in the car. I need to talk to my mom.”
Despair washed over Leila. She began to suspect that Shirley’s unexpected visit tonight might have been orchestrated by Landon. Maybe he wanted to avoid staining his own reputation, leaving Shirley to manage the dirty work.
Leila felt betrayed, questioning why Landon could be so heartless. Hadn’t they agreed to not harm her unborn child? In her heart, she branded him a liar, tears cascading down her cheeks.
Meanwhile, Shirley rubbed her temples, worn out. At the sound of footsteps, she looked up and was met with Landon’s once-charming face, now twisted into an expression of spite.
Shirley appeared slightly displeased as she inquired, “What’s happening? Weren’t you supposed to be dining with Sarah? Why are you home already?”
Landon struggled to keep his temper in check, responding, “Actually, I ought to be asking you that. What brings you here?”
Shirley seemed self-righteous. “What’s wrong with a mother visiting her son? Moreover, without the tip-off I received, I would never have guessed you’d engage in such recklessness. What on earth are you planning? Intend to keep Leila close and then support her and the child once she delivers the baby? Or perhaps you plan to use the child as leverage to ensure she doesn’t leave you?”
Landon clenched his jaw tightly and retorted, “The child Leila’s expecting is Brent’s. I have no intention of raising another man’s child.”
Shirley mercilessly laid bare the truth. “It doesn’t matter whose child it is. It’s your intentions that concern me. Knowing your temperament, if she had betrayed you, you’d have despised her by now. Yet, you don’t. Don’t think I’m oblivious to your motives. You just can’t bring yourself to leave Leila, can you?”
Bang! With a loud crash, Landon hurled a vase to the floor. “How dare you speak about her in such a manner!”
Shirley stood and approached Landon, disappointment etched across her face. “Look at yourself. You’ve gone so far as to defy your own mother over a woman. I raised you with care. How could you let me down like this?” Her voice was tinged with sadness.
Landon returned her gaze, his eyes filled with disdain. “My grandpa was the one who actually cared for me, not you. All you taught me was to be merciless and deceitful, all for the sake of power. You wanted me to turn into someone like you. I won’t do it.”
As Landon spoke, the chill and contempt in his expression made Shirley’s heart sink.
Shirley asked, “Landon, what’s gotten into you? You always used to listen to me. When did you start changing? Is it because of Leila?”
Landon massaged his temples, weary. “Don’t dredge up the past. You know exactly why things are the way they are. It’s not about anyone else. Leila’s safety is nonnegotiable. That’s my final stance. If you can’t accept that, I’d rather not acknowledge you as my mother.”
Shirley gasped, covering her mouth, her eyes brimming with hurt. “Is this really how you treat your mother, all because of a woman?”
“Edgar, escort them out,” Landon commanded without hesitation.
Shirley’s gaze hardened. “You’re going to regret this, Landon.”
Edgar and his men escorted Shirley out forcefully.
As Shirley reached the door, she noticed her bodyguards, whom she had sent to bring Leila down, standing with bruised and swollen faces. It was clear Landon had made his stance.
Shirley shook with rage. “What is Landon thinking? Attacking my people?”
Edgar, though smiling, maintained a cold tone. “Madam, please understand. Mr. Kensington has been quite stressed lately. Overwork has left him exhausted and short-tempered. It would be better if you avoided visiting. His displeasure might very well become yours.”
Shirley’s fury escalated. “I am his mother. Am I to be barred from my own son’s home? Is that bitch Leila turning him against me? I’ve always maintained that Leila brings misfortune. She’s corrupted my son.”
Edgar’s smile waned a bit. “By the way, Mr. Kensington instructed me to pass on a message. Should you continue to slander his wife or harm her again, he expects you to return the possessions that you took from her.”
At this, Shirley’s anger subsided somewhat, though she still clenched her teeth. “What do you mean? Those items rightfully belong to the Kensington family. Leila is nothing but an outsider. Why should she have any claim to them?”
Edgar cleared his throat. “Those items were specifically left to her by Mr. Kensington’ grandfather, per his will, witnessed by the lawyer. She never intended to give them permanently to you. It was more of a loan. She retains the right to reclaim them at any time.”
Shirley was on the verge of losing her composure. “I’ve done everything for the Kensington family, especially for Landon. Will Landon truly not regret how he’s treated me?”
Edgar felt a sharp twinge of sarcasm. “Madam, these aren’t Mr. Landon Kensington’ exact words, but as his assistant, I need to speak on his behalf. You always preferred Mr. Dean Kensington to be the heir. Yet, it was Mr. Roderick Kensington who had chosen Mr. Landon Kensington as his heir, and you had to accept that. You took benefits from Mr. Landon Kensington’ wife, yet not a dime went to Mr. Landon Kensington. Isn’t it rather hypocritical to claim now that it was all for his benefit?”
Edgar held back even sharper comments that came to mind. He always noticed how differently Shirley treated her sons. The bias was clear.
It was often said that parents had a special fondness for their youngest, but Shirley was an exception.
Perhaps her strained relationship with Landon stemmed from the complications during his birth, or maybe other reasons played a part.
It seemed Shirley had never genuinely warmed to Landon.
Given that Landon was primarily raised by Roderick, Landon’s bond with Shirley only grew colder.
Shirley’s attention to Landon seemed solely because of his exceptional talent and his designation as Roderick’s successor.
Dean and Melinda’s wedding was a lavish affair, even though Shirley harbored some reservations about Melinda. Nevertheless, Shirley was present, a testament to her approval.
In stark contrast, Leila and Landon skipped a formal wedding ceremony entirely, earning not even a hint of approval from Shirley.
Outwardly, Shirley attributed her disapproval to a personal distaste for Leila. However, it was clear to everyone that her animosity ran deeper than mere dislike.
At a loss for words and feeling suffocated by the tension, Shirley finally blurted out a reluctant farewell. “Landon had better not regret this. I’m still his mother, after all. What he’s done has truly disappointed me.”
With those words, Shirley stormed off.
Edgar only turned around after Shirley had left.
Once in her car, Shirley began to grumble under her breath, “What an ungrateful son, cutting ties with his own mother over a woman. If I had known, I would have never brought him into this world.”
The butler, trying to ease the tension, cautiously interjected, “Madam, Mr. Landon Kensington is just showing his immaturity. He surely doesn’t see the depth of your good intentions.”
“Forget it.” Shirley exhaled sharply, resigning herself. “I can’t depend on him. He has no patience, not for me and certainly not for Dean. Given his current attitude, I need to think about my next steps.”
Peering out the window, the butler then spoke in a hushed tone. “Madam, Mr. Dean Kensington has grown up by your side since childhood. His bond with you is unmistakably deep. I believe it’s time for you to decide. If necessary, consider parting ways with Mr. Landon Kensington and allow Mr. Dean Kensington to take over. Your latter years would be more secure. According to what I’ve learned, Mr. Landon Kensington is currently overwhelmed with various troubles, including health issues. This could be a favorable moment.”
Shirley massaged her temples, her reluctance evident. “But Landon has a knack for generating wealth. Let’s delay any decisions for the time being. I don’t wish to burden Dean excessively.”
“Very well,” the butler responded, his tone laced with resignation. He shot Shirley a meaningful look.
Feeling the onset of a headache, Shirley added, “Please, move to the other car. I need some time alone.”
“Understood,” the butler acknowledged. He opened the door and stepped out, but not before casting a lingering, significant glance back at Shirley.
Elsewhere, Leila was confined within Landon’s car, oblivious to the conversation outside. She sat in anxious anticipation for what felt like an eternity.
When the door finally swung open, Leila couldn’t suppress a shudder. The sight of Edgar did little to ease her nerves.
Leila waved frantically at Edgar, tears streaming down her face. She hastily typed down her inner turmoil. “Didn’t Landon promise me? He swore he wouldn’t touch my child. I’ve done everything he asked during this time, without a word of protest. Why is he doing this to me?”
Edgar’s concern deepened at the sight of her distress. He quickly tried to soothe her, saying, “Madam, please calm down. You’re pregnant. Mr. Kensington means no harm. He’s merely performing for his mother’s benefit.”
Leila recalled the icy stare Landon had given her, making her shiver. She shook her head firmly. “I don’t trust him, and I don’t trust you either. I need to get away.”
Edgar, caught off guard, replied awkwardly, “Madam, I assure you, we would never endanger your child. Mr. Kensington is facing his own challenges. One day, you’ll understand.”
In the past, Leila might have softened upon hearing this, trying to see things from Landon’s perspective.
But now, Leila saw things differently. She understood that she needed to prioritize her own well-being over pleasing others.
A determined glimmer sparked in Leila’s eyes as she expressed her need for a lawyer. She demanded a divorce from Landon, claiming her unwillingness to stay by his side, no matter his intentions.