Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Cara brushed her words aside. “Well, you know now,” she sneered. “Any decent person would leave to avoid any misunderstanding. Why are you still here? Hoping to bump into Landon?”
Leila’s hands clenched into fists. “I haven’t done anything wrong,” she retorted. “Why should I leave? This is my friend’s engagement party.”
Leila let out a humorless laugh, her eyes locked on Cara. “You keep telling me to leave. I have to ask, who’s the one clinging to the past? Or maybe you don’t trust your husband. Perhaps you think he’ll cheat on you, and you’re just trying to bluff and threaten me.”
Leila’s words struck a nerve. Cara flushed, anger bubbling up in her chest. “You’re talking nonsense!” she shrieked.
Leila stood tall and smirked. “Cut the crap. You know damn well I’m not talking nonsense. I’m just being upfront. Landon’s with you now, so I’m not going to dwell on my history with him.”
Cara clenched her jaw, her eyes burning with resentment. “Oh really? If you’re so honest, then you should wish Landon and me a long and happy marriage. Just like you did for Miss Simpson and her fianc? earlier. Go on, wish us well.”
The smile slowly faded from Leila’s face. Reasoning with someone so malicious was futile. Cara didn’t care about making a scene. She just wanted to twist the knife.
Leila was puzzled. She hadn’t contacted Landon or tried to find out anything about him since learning the truth from Clayton. After everything she’d been through, she wasn’t about to get entangled in someone else’s relationship. Landon had moved on-so why should she bother him? Cara’s animosity seemed to come out of nowhere.
Leila’s silence emboldened Cara. Sensing a weakness, Cara pressed on.
“Why won’t you wish us well?” Cara taunted. “Is it because you still have feelings for my husband? Leila, I never took you for this kind of person. My brother once saved your life. We could ask for your life in return, and it wouldn’t be out of line.”
Cara’s voice rose, her emotions escalating. She grabbed Leila’s hand and pressed it against her stomach, her eyes filled with hatred. “Don’t forget I lost my baby because my brother chose to save you and inadvertently ignored me. You might have forgotten, but I haven’t.”
Leila felt a wave of nausea. If she had to do Cara this huge favor, she would’ve rather died at sea back then.
With no choice, Leila, pale-faced and weak, muttered the congratulatory words. “I wish you both a happy marriage that lasts forever.”
Each word felt like a stab to Leila’s heart.
Cara, satisfied, finally smiled.
Leila felt defeated. “Are you happy now?” she asked.
Cara rolled her eyes. “Of course not! I still remember you and Landon had two kids. Your kids aren’t pleased to see me with Landon, right? I will only be content with your kids’ blessings.”
Leila’s breathing quickened, her gaze growing colder. “Cara, don’t push me too far,” she warned. Her children were off-limits. Cara was playing with fire.
Yet, Cara didn’t care. “So what if you’re mad? You owe me, and you have to do this. Bring your kids here now. Don’t make me send my men after them. They’re a rough bunch. If they accidentally hurt your kids, you’ll be devastated.”
Leila couldn’t take it anymore and slapped Cara hard across the face.
It wasn’t a particularly hard slap, but Cara acted as if she’d been pushed, stumbling backward toward the champagne tower. Everyone could see that Cara was being dramatic.
The champagne tower shattered with a deafening crash, sending a shower of broken glass cascading over Cara..
Her perfectly styled hair clung to her, and her expensive dress was drenched in champagne. She looked like a drowned rat.
But Cara didn’t explode in anger. Instead, she shot Leila a defiant smirk before suddenly bursting into tears, performing a dramatic transformation that would have made any professional actor envious. The commotion drew a crowd of onlookers, all buzzing with curiosity. No one knew exactly what had happened, but seeing Cara drenched and sobbing, they assumed Leila had intentionally caused a scene.
Whispers filled the air.
“Wow! Who would have thought Leila had become like this? Her husband dumped her for another woman. How embarrassing!”
“Everyone knows Leila used to be Landon’s hopeless pursuer. Even after they broke up, she went crawling back the second he snapped his fingers. And now he’s with someone else! He treats her like dirt.”
Leila’s blood ran cold as the cruel gossip reached her ears. Rachel rushed to Leila’s side, her face etched with concern. “Leila, are you okay?”
Leila fought back tears, forcing a weak smile. “I’m fine, just a bit tired. I might have to take my leave early.”
Rachel’s eyes filled with sympathy and guilt. “I’m so sorry, Leila.”
Leila patted her hand, trying to reassure her.
Suddenly, the whispers died down as the crowd parted, revealing Landon. His expression was hard, his handsome face devoid of emotion, and his eyes cold as ice.
Landon radiated power and authority, an intimidating aura that made everyone around him shift uncomfortably.
Only Leila gazed at him steadily. She seemed calm, but her slightly red eyes gave her away.
Landon shifted uncomfortably under her intense stare and looked away. Leila, however, misinterpreted his actions.
Landon shot a frustrated look at Cara, who was clearly milking the situation. He wasn’t buying it. He just wanted to get Cara to the hospital and be done with it.
As Landon turned to leave, Leila blurted out, “Mr. Kensington, maybe I should explain what happened.”
But Leila immediately regretted it. Did it even matter? Yet, she figured that while she didn’t mind Cara’s antics smearing her reputation, the fact that Landon was her children’s father couldn’t be ignored. If she left the misunderstanding unresolved, it wouldn’t bode well for the kids.
Landon didn’t turn around. “No need to explain,” he said dismissively.
Leila felt a pang of disappointment.
In truth, Landon didn’t mean it that way. He just wanted to get rid of Cara, the troublemaker, as soon as possible. He knew exactly what Cara was like. She was probably pulling off some stunt again. Cara had always been willing to hurt herself to get attention.
As expected, Cara leaned into Landon, whining. “Landon, it hurts so much! I don’t know what happened. I just said hi to her, and she slapped me like a madwoman. Everyone saw it. You’re not just going to let her get away with it, are you?”
“Cut the crap,” Landon scoffed. “Don’t try to manipulate me with your tricks. Since you have the strength to speak, it means your injury isn’t that serious.”
Cara glared at Landon, seething with anger, but there was nothing she could do. As Leila watched them leave, a pang of loneliness swept over her amidst the bustling crowd.
Rachel quickly stepped in to defend Leila. “What’s his problem? You two were a thing, and he won’t even let you explain?”
Leila sighed. “It’s fine. I’m ready to move on. I kind of lost it back there.”
Rachel seemed puzzled. “I’ve known you forever, Leila. You seem laid-back, but you’re tough as nails. You’re far from a doormat. So what if the Morgan family is on the rise? You’ve got the Kensington family behind you. What’s there to fear? Landon doesn’t care about taking over the Kensington family. Even without them, you’re powerful on your own. You don’t need to worry about anything.”
Leila’s thoughts raced. She wanted to say something but stopped herself. She decided against mentioning what happened at sea, remembering the promise she made to Clayton to keep it a secret to protect Cara’s reputation. She figured it was best to avoid Cara in the future.
Rachel didn’t press her further. She simply gave Leila’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Whatever happens, I’m on your side. Cara doesn’t seem likely to cause more trouble. Just try to get some rest.”
Leila nodded, grateful for her friend’s support. She checked on the kids and saw they were having a blast. Deciding not to leave just yet, she grabbed a drink and tried to relax. Leila wasn’t much of a drinker, and just a few sips of champagne had her head spinning.
The kids, tired from playing, were ready to head home.
Meanwhile, after sending Cara off, Landon intended to leave. But he couldn’t shake the image of Leila’s beautiful eyes, slightly reddened and filled with hurt. She had tried to appear strong, but he could see the pain in her eyes.
Landon couldn’t understand his own feelings. He’d actually considered ditching Cara right then and there to go to Leila. The thought gnawed at him. But he didn’t leave. Instead, he turned back, heading back into the party just in time to see Leila, a little unsteady on her feet, leading the kids outside.
A few men at the party, their eyes gleaming with predatory interest, offered to help Leila, but she waved them away. Landon watched, a flicker of concern in his eyes. He hesitated for a moment, then decided to follow her.
The cool evening air helped clear Leila’s head a little.
As Leila stood on the sidewalk, she realized she had a problem. She hadn’t arranged for a driver, and now she was in no condition to drive herself. She called her driver, who informed her that the traffic was a nightmare because of the party and that it would be at least half an hour before he could get there. Leila and the kids had no choice but to wait.
Worried about the kids getting cold, Leila wrapped her shawl around them, shivering herself.
Leila didn’t want the kids to worry, so she lied and told them she was just trying to sober up.
But Landon, watching from the shadows, noticed her pale face and lips, knowing she was cold.
He watched her for a long time. Seeing her swaying on her feet, he couldn’t take it anymore and walked toward her. Landon was almost to her when someone else rushed past.
“Leila!” a voice said, filled with concern, as the person steadied her. “Are you alright?”
It was Clayton. He must have just arrived.
When Clayton saw Leila standing outside, shivering in the wind, he didn’t care about politeness anymore. He just had to get to her. Leila straightened up, coughing a little. “Mr. Morgan,” she said coolly.