Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila wanted to say she would like to socialize as his wife, extending her help to his career. However, her damaged vocal cords denied her ability to speak. She could never fit seamlessly into the echelons of high society as his spouse.
Leila chose not to probe any further, bowing her head in resignation.
Soon after, Landon escorted Leila to the banquet hall. The venue was lavishly decorated, befitting the grandeur of the evening. As the most distinguished guest, Landon drew many eyes upon his entrance. But it wasn’t long before all attention shifted to Leila by his side.
A hush fell over the room for a moment.
“She’s breathtaking…”
“Is that Mr. Kensington’ woman? Could she be a renowned actress?”
“I’ve never seen her before. Maybe she’s that elusive superstar who just returned from overseas?”
Among the crowd was Sarah, who, having heard of Landon’s arrival, had hurriedly made her way through the crowd to find him. Her eyes widened in shock upon seeing Landon with Leila at the event, her mind reeling with disbelief.
As Leila caught sight of Sarah, her first impulse was to retreat. She recalled Landon’s earlier words to Sarah, asking her to postpone their conversation until later that night. Now, as night fell and Landon, who had escorted her here, seemed more interested in Sarah, Leila wondered if this was an attempt to humiliate her.
However, retreating wasn’t an option for Leila. Landon held her waist tightly, seemingly oblivious to Sarah, casually steering Leila forward. Before long, Landon and Leila were surrounded by people greeting him, pushing Sarah out of view.
Leila couldn’t help but search for Sarah, but Landon gave her waist a sharp pinch, signaling her to focus. She quickly faced forward again.
“Mrs. Kensington, I hadn’t expected you to be so striking. A pleasure to meet you. I’m Frank Ingram. I’ve collaborated with Mr. Kensington for many years.” A gentleman extended his hand in greeting.
Leila responded with a rushed smile and gestured her greetings.
“My wife is unable to speak due to damage to her vocal cords. Please forgive her,” Landon interjected, explaining on Leila’s behalf.
“Oh, that’s okay. It’s just a pity, really. She’s quite stunning,” Frank said with a hint of regret, still managing to compliment them. “Mr. Kensington, the love you have for your wife, it’s profound! Staying so dedicated to her is truly commendable!”
Landon let out a laugh, sharing a few light-hearted words in response.
Beside Landon, Leila mustered a forced smile, her heart tinged with bitterness. She remained at Landon’s side solely because he had not abandoned her.
Otherwise, she felt she wouldn’t have been considered deserving. Even outsiders would likely agree.
And then there was Sarah, equally pretty, which was no surprise since Landon wouldn’t choose someone unattractive.
She hailed from a reputable family, and there were even marriage talks involving the Miller and Kensington families. Furthermore, Sarah possessed a charming demeanor and excelled in social circles, seemingly a more fitting partner for Landon.
While Leila stood there, part of her wished she could just vanish. Yet, the next instant, Landon leaned close, his breath tickling her ear as he whispered, “Shall we dance?”
Leila froze, her eyes wide with disbelief as she turned to look at him.
Landon offered no further explanations. He simply grasped Leila’s hand and guided her directly to the hall’s center.
At the heart of the venue lay a circular, sunken dance floor where numerous couples floated across the surface to the strains of classical music. However, upon noticing Landon’s arrival, the dancers promptly cleared a path for him.
“Is Mr. Kensington going to dance with his wife?”
“I’ve heard his wife is mute. Can she even hear the music?”
Leila caught snippets of the whispered speculations and felt her anxiety spike, her hand growing clammy within Landon’s firm grasp.
“Fear not, everything will be fine, no matter what,” Landon murmured reassuringly, his arm encircling her waist.
As they embraced, Leila trembled slightly, steeling herself to maintain composure so as not to embarrass Landon. Leila moved in sync with Landon, her feet finding the rhythm of the music. It had been ages since Leila last danced like this. She was barely more than a child then.
Though initially clumsy, Leila’s past dance lessons began to resurface in her movements after a few faltering steps. Landon, meanwhile, danced with practiced ease, leaving Leila to ponder his frequent partner. Surely it must be Sarah.
Lost in her thoughts amidst the dance, Leila was jolted back to reality by a voice laden with emotion. “Landon…”
It was Sarah, standing just beside them.
Leila was suddenly yanked back to the present, her instinct to retreat thwarted by Landon’s firm grip. She tried to signal him, but Landon’s tight hold only allowed her to mouth the words to him. “You can go.”
“You’re my wife. Don’t be so shy. It makes me look bad,” Landon said softly, his eyes tender as they rested on Leila, though his words were cutting.
Taking a deep breath, Leila closed her eyes. She imagined herself as still the cherished adopted daughter of the Kensington family, and Landon, the brother who had once adored her the most…
Leila tilted her elegant neck back, her hair cascading to reveal her graceful shoulders and stunning back. The crowd’s focus shifted from questioning her ability to hear to being spellbound by her beauty.
“Truly beautiful, she definitely lives up to her reputation for beauty…”
“Such grace isn’t found in daughters from lesser families.”
“These noble daughters can’t hold a candle to her. Not even that Miller girl, who is engaged to a Kensington.”
Amid the crowd, Sarah absorbed the murmurs. She couldn’t compare to Leila? Clutching her dress in frustration, she swallowed her anger, forced a smile, retreated to a corner, and dialed a number on her phone…
Panting slightly from the dance, Leila felt a rush of energy. Landon led Leila away from the dance floor, her cheeks glowing with a flush of excitement. Leila’s smile, now brighter and more sincere, showed a spark of her old self reemerging.
Turning to Landon, Leila gestured, saying he should check on Sarah since Sarah might be impatient. Landon gave her a long, evaluating look. “Stay here,” he instructed, his tone gentle yet firm.
Leila nodded in agreement, her eyes following him as he melded into the crowd. She accepted a glass of orange juice from a passing waiter, feeling a twinge of sadness as she watched him disappear.
It surprised Leila, this chance to be by Landon’s side again, especially after their marriage had seemed to set their paths so firmly apart.
Had her younger self foreseen the insecurities this marriage would bring, would she have felt deep disappointment?
Leila’s thoughts were interrupted by a gentle tap on her arm.
“Hello, I’m Cyril Walker,” a young man greeted her with a polite smile. He had an air of familiarity about him. “I’ve worked with Mr. Kensington before, but this is my first time meeting you. Would you care to dance with me?”
Cyril held out his hand to Leila, his invitation clear.
Leila’s eyes widened in surprise as she was asked to dance by someone else. She couldn’t help but wonder if Landon would be upset by this. However, since the man claimed to be Landon’s client, she reasoned that it should be all right.
Leila enjoyed the rhythm of the dance floor and had noticed others changing partners frequently. Thus, she nodded in agreement and placed her hand in Cyril’s waiting palm.
Across the room, Sarah made her way toward Landon with eager strides. “You’re breaking my heart in front of everyone again. What are you going to do to make it up to me this time?” she questioned.
“Anything you want,” Landon responded casually, as if throwing money at the problem could fix anything.
“Why did you come here?” he queried.
Sarah’s face momentarily tightened before she retorted, “Didn’t you tell me to meet you tonight? Who would have guessed you’d be dancing with that mute! You even took her out to style her hair and choose a dress while you ignored me!”
Unconcerned with the onlookers, Sarah looped her arm through Landon’s and strolled toward the dance floor. Suddenly, she gasped dramatically and covered her mouth. “Oh my, why is that mute dancing with another man?”
Landon’s expression turned stormy at the sight. Cyril was holding Leila close by the waist, moving her across the dance floor with elegance, her face alight with joy. There was a considerable distance between Cyril and Leila, and Cyril’s actions were nothing but courteous. He showed no intention of taking advantage of Leila.
After a moment’s hesitation, Landon made his way toward them with determined strides. Watching him depart swiftly, Sarah clenched her teeth, her expression fierce.
She whispered sharply, “Cyril, you coward! Scared that Landon might punch you? You didn’t even dare lay a finger on Leila!”
As the rhythm of the music intensified, Leila danced faster, her smile widening. She hadn’t felt this joyful in ages. But suddenly, a strong grip seized her wrist, yanking her away from Cyril’s embrace. She stumbled into another set of arms.
Looking up, Leila found herself staring into Landon’s enraged eyes, her heart skipping a beat.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Kensington, I assumed she wanted to dance with me. I didn’t realize it would upset you,” Cyril hastily said, trying to appease Landon with a nervous smile and a bow.
Leila’s eyes widened in disbelief. Catching Sarah’s gaze from the edge of the crowd, her heart raced. Could it be that Cyril was deliberately arranged to invite her to dance?
“Didn’t I tell you to stay put? Couldn’t you wait? Have you never been to a party before?” Landon pulled Leila into his arms. His whisper in her ear carried a harsh edge of anger.