Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Linsey added, “Here’s an idea. Agree to Jerome’s terms, secure the first ten million once the contract is signed, and I’ll see about gathering another ten million from my family. You can divorce him then. How does that sound? I hate that he would get any money, but your freedom matters more!”
Leila was taken aback by Linsey’s willingness to help, especially since the market was down and the Brooks family wasn’t flush with funds. Raising ten million wouldn’t be easy for Linsey.
Before Leila could reply, a familiar voice interrupted them. “Fancy running into you here! Who are you calling a bastard? It’s not Landon, is it?”
Leila immediately turned around. It was none other than Sarah!
“Yep, we were talking about a complete bastard, and here it is!” Linsey exclaimed as Sarah came into view, her brows knitting together almost instantly.
Sarah’s expression darkened, clearly stung by Linsey’s words, yet she composed herself with effort. She joined them, settling gracefully into a seat beside Linsey and Leila. “I caught bits of your conversation just now. Tell me, Leila, are you really planning to divorce Landon?” she asked, fixing Leila with a steady look.
“And which ear did you eavesdrop with? What does it matter if we speak ill of a man? Feeling protective of him?” Linsey retorted bluntly.
Unaware of Sarah’s presence earlier, Linsey wondered how much Sarah might have overheard or if she was merely guessing.
Sarah turned to Leila, her smile tinged with knowing. “You’ve already proposed the divorce to him, haven’t you?”
Leila felt her heart flutter. However, it wasn’t entirely unexpected for Landon to confide in Sarah about her desire for a divorce. Landon and Sarah were inseparable. He shared everything with Sarah, as soulmates do. Yet, being confronted by Sarah still made her squirm.
“I think you shouldn’t go through with the divorce,” Sarah remarked firmly.
Both Leila and Linsey were taken aback by her suggestion, with Linsey’s frown deepening. “What are you playing at? Just get out of here!”
Ignoring Linsey’s words, Sarah’s gaze remained fixed on Leila. “Why even think about a divorce? I’ve heard it’s for my benefit, but I’ve always fared well on my own. Without marrying Landon, I’m capable of getting whatever I desire.”
Her assertion rang true. Even Leila was aware of how much Landon lavished on Sarah.
“But you, as his wife, haven’t touched his money… So, why the divorce?” Sarah pressed on.
Linsey shot Sarah a disapproving look, suspecting that Sarah’s intentions weren’t pure.
Yet, Leila seemed to understand the undercurrents better. She silently picked up her phone, typed a message, and showed it to Sarah. “Even if I leave him, Landon isn’t going to marry you. Your tarnished reputation will ensure the Kensington family rejects you.”
It was no secret in their circle that Sarah was the mistress. Sarah openly embraced that label. Without Landon, it was unlikely she’d find another partner. Reputation was everything to the Kensington family.
As Sarah read the message, her smile faded.
But Leila wasn’t done. She continued to type. “After the divorce, the Kensington family will find Landon a new bride-someone less forgiving than me. She won’t tolerate you like I have.”
Leila’s words struck a nerve.
The pretense drained from Sarah’s face as she locked eyes with Leila. “Even if you divorce, you’ll be worse off than me!”
Unfazed, Leila typed down her response. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll always be the adopted daughter of the Kensington.”
Despite Roderick’s death possibly changing Leila’s status within the Kensington family, Sarah was unaware of this complication.
Sarah’s expression darkened. Before she could respond, Linsey couldn’t contain herself any longer and snatched up a water glass from the table. “Still not leaving? Get lost right away, or I’ll splash this water right in your face!”
“You dare!” Sarah leaped to her feet so quickly that she almost knocked her chair over. She shot Linsey a venomous look before turning on her heel and leaving in a huff.
“How did she find out about that? Did Landon spill everything?” Linsey turned to Leila, her face a mask of disbelief.
Leila let out a weary sigh. She hadn’t anticipated Sarah getting worked up over such a matter. Her previous words that the Kensington family would arrange a different marriage for Landon were merely a ruse to shake Sarah up.
As the current head of the Kensington family, Landon had the authority to marry Sarah if he chose to, and no one could oppose him.
It seemed Sarah hadn’t grasped that. Leila was a bit surprised, wondering whether Sarah’s insecurity was that profound.
“Leila, don’t let others dictate your choices. Whether you stay married or not, what matters most is your happiness and freedom,” Linsey advised gently.
She was interrupted by the ringing of Leila’s phone. It was Steven; Leila had stored his number during her last hospital stay. Why was Steven calling now?
Leila answered immediately. Steven’s voice was urgent. “Mrs. Kensington, you need to come to the hospital right away. Landon’s passed out, and he’s currently being tested!”
Leila’s complexion paled. Passed out? The genetic ailment that had claimed Roderick was notorious within the Kensington family. If Landon had inherited it…
Overwhelmed by her fears, Leila bolted out of the coffee shop.
“What’s wrong, Leila?” Linsey hurried after her.
Leila motioned that she would explain later and raced to her car. She implored the driver to make for the hospital with utmost speed.
Leila leaped from the car before it fully stopped at the hospital entrance and sprinted inside, following the directions Steven had texted her. Breathless and frantic, her eyes swelled with tears of dread. The thought of something happening to Landon terrified her.
Upon entering the ward, she found Landon in a hospital gown, leaning against his bed, frowning at a tablet. His brows were furrowed in concentration, much like when he was deep in work.
Leila froze.
“Why the rush?” Steven’s voice echoed from behind. Landon looked up, his gaze shifting to Leila.
Leila’s flushed, breathless appearance caused Landon’s expression to flicker with surprise and confusion.
“It seems you really care about your husband! Rushing over just minutes after the call,” Steven remarked, a playful tone in his voice. “Ah, this must be true love! I’ve actually witnessed it now!”
Standing at the doorway, Leila’s eyes dropped to the floor, her cheeks coloring as she realized her overzealous reaction might not have been to Landon’s liking.
“Why are you loitering there? Need a personal invitation?” Steven’s voice sliced through Leila’s thoughts as he breezed past her into the hospital room while she lingered at the doorway.
Feeling slightly sheepish, Leila stepped inside, her movements tentative as she gestured her previous assumption that Landon was seriously ill.
“He collapsed at the office and was rushed here by his assistant,” Steven said, focusing on adjusting the monitors beside the hospital bed. His words were a mixture of clinical efficiency and subtle concern.
“He skipped breakfast and only fueled up on coffee. Then, during the lunch meeting, he opted for wine. No wonder he’s passed out,” Steven remarked.
Leila observed Landon’s pallid complexion, a twinge of pain gnawing at her heart. Despite hiring chefs and nutritionists for her own well-being, Landon neglected his own health.
Leila fought to maintain a composed expression, not wanting to reveal the depth of her concern. With a tight-lipped nod, she acknowledged Steven’s words.
“So, Mrs. Kensington, if you have the time, could you bring him some food? He’s quite particular and has refused the hospital fare,” Steven added.
Landon glanced at Steven, a hint of irritation crossing his features. “Considering how dreadful hospital food is, I’m surprised you’d even suggest it,” he quipped.
“Hey, I eat it every day. How bad could it be?” Steven retorted, shooting Landon a pointed glare before turning back to Leila. “Will that be alright with you?”
Leila nodded briskly in response.
Relieved to find that Landon’s condition was merely due to exhaustion rather than a more serious ailment, Leila exhaled a sigh of relief as she exited the hospital room. She felt her legs weaken with each step.
Returning to her car, Leila instructed the driver to take her home. Once settled in, she reached out to Linsey. She had confided in Linsey about Landon’s fainting and now expressed how she couldn’t rush into the divorce considering the circumstances.
Leila explained that Landon was unwell now, and she felt compelled to care for him, at least for a while longer. She just couldn’t bring herself to bring up the divorce while Landon was hospitalized, dreading Roderick’s reaction if he was still alive.
For a while, there was no response from Linsey, and Leila could almost picture her sighing.
Finally, Linsey’s response came. “This isn’t your burden to bear. If he truly valued family, if he appreciated the effort you put into preparing his meals, perhaps it wouldn’t have come to this. You woke up early every day to cook for him, but did he ever truly appreciate it? Leila, don’t blame yourself. This isn’t your fault at all. Whatever decision you make, it’s okay. Don’t carry too much weight on your shoulders!”
Linsey’s unwavering support was a comforting balm to Leila’s soul. She knew she could always count on her friend to stand by her side, no matter the circumstances.
Upon returning home, Leila felt a sense of purpose wash over her. Without hesitation, she made her way to the kitchen.
The chefs had meticulously prepared the ingredients for dinner, awaiting Leila’s direction. Inquiring about tonight’s dish choices, Leila carefully selected three dishes to cook herself using the recipes, complementing the three already prepared by the culinary experts.
In the early days of their marriage, Landon had expressed a fondness for Leila’s cooking. Yet, if his tastes had shifted, there were still options crafted by the skilled hands of the chefs.