Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Maybe the little mute doesn’t get out much, hasn’t seen this many people, and got overwhelmed and messed up.” Next to them, Sarah’s voice carried a hint of amusement, almost as if she were making a joke.
Landon paid no heed to Cyril, and once Cyril realized he wasn’t in trouble, he quickly vanished into the crowd.
“Stick with me.” At Landon’s sound of the command, heavy with threat, Leila bowed her head, and the smile on her face disappeared. She was Landon’s wife, confined to their home by him, with no duties to occupy her. But why couldn’t she be her true self? Was it just because her vocal cords were damaged, rendering her mute?
Landon led Leila away from the dance floor to a quieter spot. This time, no one dared approach her. Yet, Landon was soon encircled by a group of people eager to flatter and appease him, with Sarah standing by his side as though they were the perfect couple.
Leila watched them blankly, again puzzled as to why Landon wouldn’t just divorce her.
“Jealous?” Sarah’s voice cut through Leila’s thoughts.
Sarah had managed to sidle up to Leila, each of her hands holding a glass of red wine. With a smile, Sarah handed one glass to Leila.
Although Leila accepted it automatically, she was cautious and chose not to drink. Sarah didn’t seem bothered by this as she stood facing Leila, sipping from her own glass. “You know, even though you’re his wife, you’re not really in his heart,” Sarah remarked casually. “He only brought you back because seeing you dance with someone else would embarrass him.”
If Linsey had been there, she would have definitely chastised Sarah, reminding the latter that Landon had been the one who had brought Leila along in the first place. However, Linsey wasn’t around, and since Sarah didn’t understand sign language, Leila found it futile to argue.
In a surprising turn of events, Sarah suddenly leaned in closer to Leila. Startled, Leila’s eyes went wide. Before she could react, Sarah had seized her hand, the one holding the red wine.
Leila, mistaking Sarah’s intentions, instinctively stepped back, but Sarah tugged at her hand, causing the red wine to splash all over Sarah’s dress.
“Ah!” Sarah exclaimed, stepping back in mock horror, her white dress now stained red. “I came over just to say hello, and look what you did!”
Sarah’s voice, loud and dramatic, immediately captured the attention of most of the people in the hall.
Leila stood amidst the confusion, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched an empty wine glass. Her mind raced for an explanation that might dissipate the thick tension around her. Yet, she could only manage a helpless shake of her head while the piercing stares of the guests felt like needles against her skin.
Landon moved through the crowd with purpose, his presence commanding yet protective. As he neared, he smoothly removed his jacket and placed it around Sarah’s shoulders, a simple gesture that spoke volumes.
Leila’s eyes followed Landon, filled with sorrow and a desperate hope that he might understand her situation.
But Landon’s face was a mask of cold indifference when locking eyes with Leila. He spared her only a brief, dismissive glance before his attention fully turned to Sarah.
“How are you holding up?” His voice was thick with concern.
Sarah clutched at him dramatically. “My ankle’s all twisted up, I’m soaking wet, and just miserable. I can’t seem to stand on my own…”
The guests encircled them, a hush falling over the room. Murmurs, however, were not so easily contained. Leila, standing isolated within the throng, caught snippets of their whispers.
“She’s the legitimate wife, sure enough. Don’t underestimate her because she’s mute. The schemes she concocts…”
“Mr. Kensington really has it all, a stunning mute wife at home and a mistress to charm society on his behalf.”
“And what a tragedy they are to each other. Really, with everything they have, why stew in jealousy?”
These fragmented conversations wounded Leila deeply. She longed to defend herself, to tell her side of the story. She wasn’t the jealous spouse they portrayed her as. She had even suggested divorce to Landon.
But Landon had flatly refused to let her go, and it was Sarah who had woven this web of deceit around her. Yet, why was she painted as the villain in their tale?
Landon’s gaze met Leila’s, a storm of unspoken words passing between them. Then, wordlessly, he turned away from her and lifted Sarah into his arms, his decision clear in his avoidance of Leila’s plea.
The crowd parted, making a path for Landon as he carried Sarah away. As Sarah nestled into Landon, one hand resting gently on his shoulder, she tilted her head to lock eyes with Leila.
To any onlooker, Sarah appeared the victim, wronged and fragile in Landon’s embrace. But Leila caught the true glint in Sarah’s eye, a smug triumph that no one else seemed to notice.
With Landon and Sarah disappearing into the crowd, Leila felt an overwhelming urge to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the party. The guests’ stares were curious, some even piercing, yet none offered words or gestures of comfort.
Leila quickened her steps, making her way to the door and out into the cool embrace of the night air. Freedom never felt so palpable. Outside, Leila inhaled deeply, the fresh air washing over her like a soothing balm.
But the reality of her isolation quickly set in. Landon had been her ride to the event, and now he had left with Sarah. Dressed for a gala, not a night on the town alone, she couldn’t simply hail a cab.
Just as Leila pondered her next move, a black Mercedes glided to a smooth stop in front of her. The driver’s door swung open, and out stepped Ethan.
“Hey, why are you just standing here all by yourself?”
Ethan approached with a friendly smile. “Where are you headed? Let me give you a ride.”
Ethan graciously opened the passenger door for Leila, giving her a warm, expectant look. With a small, thankful smile, Leila slid into the car. Relief washed over her. Meeting Ethan was fortuitous. Otherwise, she wasn’t sure how she would have managed to get home.
Once settled in the driver’s seat, Ethan sensed her curiosity as Leila pulled out her phone and typed a message to him, visible on the screen between them. “So, what are you doing here?”
Ethan glanced at her message and then back at the road, crafting his reply. “A friend invited me over, but he had to leave early. I was just hanging around chatting with some folks. Figured I might as well drive you home,” he explained, his tone casual but his words a bit too quick, betraying the spontaneity of his story.
In truth, Ethan stumbled upon Leila’s appearance at the party with Landon in a group chat. The chatter about Landon’s wife making a rare public appearance was quite a sensation. When Ethan saw Leila’s name pop up in the chat, he decided to come by, though he hadn’t expected to encounter her so directly.
Leila typed a simple, sincere “Thank you,” and showed it to him.
“Oh, by the way, I’ve been learning sign language,” Ethan said to Leila with an enthusiastic smile. “I’m picking it up pretty quickly. Soon you won’t have to type. You’ll be able to just sign to me!”
Ethan demonstrated a few basic signs, looking to Leila for confirmation. “Is this right?”
Leila’s face lit up with a genuine smile as she nodded in approval. Ethan’s heart skipped a beat at her smile. He then shifted the conversation toward their destination. “Where to? Heading to see Linsey?”
Leila shook her head and showed Ethan the location of her and Landon’s villa on her phone. She typed: “Take me here, please.”
It was the villa Leila shared with Landon. Despite his frequent absences, she had never spent a night away from their home. She was determined to uphold her role, even if Landon faltered in his.
“Alright,” Ethan responded, a fleeting look of disappointment passing through his eyes as he put the car in gear. The ride was quiet, and soon, the sleek black Mercedes pulled up in front of the imposing villa.
As they approached, the butler emerged, a mix of surprise and relief on his face. “Madam, you’re back!”
“It’s okay. She’s with me,” Ethan called out as he exited the vehicle. Leila was just gathering her things to thank Ethan and dismiss him when he suddenly stepped out of the car and approached the butler.
Taken aback by his unexpected move, Leila watched curiously.
“I heard about the banquet tonight. Landon left with another woman, abandoning her there.” Ethan’s voice held an edge of accusation as he confronted the butler, his words sharp with implication.
Leila, standing beside the car, felt a rush of surprise and confusion. It became clear that Ethan had known about the night’s events all along but had kept his knowledge hidden until now.
The butler was visibly startled by the assertiveness of Ethan’s statement.
Ethan pressed on, his tone mixing firmness with a hint of warning. “If Landon doesn’t value her, then he should let her go. There are many who would treasure what he takes for granted. Please make sure he understands that.”
Leila rushed forward, reaching out to gently tug at Ethan’s sleeve. She remembered all too well the last confrontation between Ethan and Landon, which had ended with Ethan at the police station. Stirring up trouble right at Landon’s doorstep was risky, and if Landon were to find out, it could spell serious trouble.
“Understood, Mr. Brooks. I will pass on your message,” the butler responded, his voice even and composed.
Ethan gave a dismissive snort and then turned to leave. Leila, her anxiety peaking, quickly gestured her gratitude for his ride and her wish for him to have a safe journey home.
Ethan’s voice rang out deliberately, ensuring the butler couldn’t miss his message. “If he gives you any trouble, don’t hesitate to come to me. I’ll have your back.”
Leila’s heart pounded with concern as Ethan’s words hung in the stillness of the evening. She observed anxiously as Ethan returned to his car, offering her a comforting wave before driving off into the night.
Leila turned to the butler, her thoughts tumbling out in a rush as she typed down. “Please, don’t mention this to Landon. Ethan just offered me a ride back, and I had no idea he would say those things. He didn’t mean any harm. He was just a bit intoxicated…”
Leila’s hastily crafted excuse fell flat as she realized the implications of Ethan driving under the influence. She cursed herself for her feeble attempt at deception.
The butler shifted uncomfortably, clearing his throat before speaking. “Um, Madam…”
Before Leila could decipher his meaning, a shadow loomed behind the entrance hall. It was Landon, his presence palpable, his expression dark as he fixed his gaze on Leila.
“Why are you defending him?” His voice cut through the silence..
Leila stared at Landon with an expression of sheer disbelief, puzzled by his unexpected presence. Wasn’t he supposed to be taking care of Sarah? How had he ended up here?