Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“I need to apologize,” Leah continued earnestly, “Not just for myself, but also on behalf of Stella. Could you possibly forgive us?”
“I accept your apology and forgive you.” Leila typed into her phone and played the message aloud for Leah.
Although forgiveness was Leila’s to offer, the decision to punish Stella was entirely Jerome’s, and Leila had no sway over Stella’s consequences. Yet, Leah clearly sought more than just forgiveness. She brightened at Leila’s swift response. “Thank you, Leila! You’re truly wonderful! Could you possibly help me with another matter?”
As Leah’s eagerness grew, Leila instinctively took a step back, anticipating yet another plea.
Leah clasped Leila’s hand, her voice thick with desperation, “Could you put in a good word for me with Jerome? Even if you don’t speak for Stella, just say something nice about me. Please?”
At Leila’s reaction, Leah hastily added, “The Hayes family member married to my mom’s aunt is Stella’s father’s cousin. If Stella falls from grace, I’ll lose my footing within the Hayes family. You, having been adopted by the Kensington family, surely understand the value of family support, don’t you? I really need this. Imagine how lost I’d be if they cast me out along with Stella!”
Leah’s plea tugged at Leila’s heartstrings, but it conflicted with her principles. Leila had become a Kensington not by choice but because tragedy had claimed her family. If given the choice, she would forsake wealth and status in a heartbeat for a moment with her loved ones.
Leila shook her head, dismissing Leah’s plea with another message. “I can’t do that. Jerome wouldn’t approve.”
“But he’s fond of you! You don’t understand how strict he is with the younger ones. He doesn’t warm up to any of the kids, no matter who they are! It’s actually quite rare for him to take a liking to someone like you!”
Leila was well aware of Jerome’s peculiarities. The first time she had accompanied Landon to the Hayes family home, Jerome had called her Mrs. Kensington, clearly not recognizing her.
Back then, Leila had seemed irrelevant. Despite instructions that Jerome was to look after her, he barely paid her any heed, as she appeared to lack any potential worth his time. It wasn’t until Jerome observed Leila’s ambition and determination that he started to offer his support.
Leila knew why Jerome had changed his stance. Nobody was eager to assist someone who had surrendered to despair. If she had resigned herself to her misfortunes without seeking help, nobody could have rescued her. Jerome’s fondness for her was not what others assumed.
Leila typed resolutely, “Sorry, I really can’t help you. Don’t bother lying to convince me. It’s futile.”
“Leila!” Leah’s voice was a mix of frustration and desperation after being turned down. “Stella may have blundered, but you shouldn’t corner her! Things could change! Just because Jerome favors you now doesn’t mean it will last forever! What if Brent falls? Aren’t you worried about the repercussions for yourself?”
Leila remained unfazed. She kept herself detached from the Hayes family’s internal conflicts, concentrating solely on her own responsibilities.
“If you help, I’ll pay you. I know you don’t take Landon’s money…” Leah offered, somewhat desperately.
A twinge of sadness struck Leila. The fact that she didn’t take Landon’s money was a secret known only to Landon himself, not even to Shirley. Now that Leah was aware, it seemed obvious that Landon had shared this with Sarah, who must have informed Stella. Their private affairs had become fodder for gossip and even a tool for intimidation.
Leila’s face hardened. She abandoned typing and instead showed her refusal to Leah using sign language, her eyes briefly flicking toward the elevator controls.
The elevator continued its ascent, unnervingly unhalted, which was peculiar since it should not have taken so long to arrive at her floor.
Upon closer inspection, Leila realized her oversight. She had not pressed the button for her floor. The elevator was ascending because someone from above had summoned it.
Leila reached out to press her floor button, but Leah seized Leila’s arm, her expression growing stormy.
“Leila, don’t push me! Just speak with Jerome! Even if he doesn’t care, at least I’ve tried! How can you be so indifferent? You owe your success to the Kensington family, and yet you refuse to lend a hand to anyone else?”
Leila was desperate to clear up the misunderstanding, but Leah’s firm grip made it impossible.
While Leila weighed her options, considering whether to acquiesce just to appease Leah, the elevator came to a halt.
The elevator doors slid open, and Brent was on the verge of stepping in when he caught sight of the tense scene.
“Leah!” Brent barked, his anger palpable. “What the hell are you doing? Let go of her right now!”
“Brent…” Leah spun around, her face etched with a semblance of regret, but Brent was far from convinced.
With a single glance, Brent grasped the full extent of the situation. Swiftly, he whipped out his phone and dialed security. “Cancel Leah’s access to the building! And get someone to the 17th floor immediately to escort her out!”
“Brent…” Leah attempted to interject, but Brent seized her arm, pulling her forcibly out of the elevator.
Brent then hit the button for his floor and assisted Leila with hers. “Did she frighten you?”
Leila simply shook her head, choosing not to discuss Leah’s actions, and reassured him she was okay.
Meanwhile, Leah, her appearance now in disarray from the forceful expulsion, trudged into the street and climbed into a waiting car. Inside the car, she found Stella and Sarah.
“Leila didn’t agree, and then Brent appeared and threw me out,” Leah muttered, lowering her head.
Stella swore under her breath and turned to Sarah for support, “Sarah, I never ratted you out. You have to help me!”
“Don’t worry,” Sarah responded soothingly. “The real problem is Leila, and she takes Landon’s advice seriously. And Landon is extremely devoted to his mother.”
Sarah let out a small laugh. “Don’t worry, Landon’s mother has a birthday party in a few days. I’ll embarrass Leila there. After that, I doubt she’ll have anyone left to stand by her!”
Shirley’s birthday soon arrived.
For the first time, Leila crossed the threshold of the Kensington’ grand mansion not as a servant but as a guest.
Accompanied by Landon, Leila couldn’t shake off a sense of unease. She was clad in a sky-blue gown chosen by Landon, who had selected a tie of the same shade for himself. Their matching outfits made it clear they were a couple.
As they stepped into the mansion, Landon gripped Leila’s hand, her previous familiarity with the place now tinged with an unsettling unfamiliarity.
“Landon’s here!” Shirley’s voice echoed through the foyer, followed by another voice that caused Leila to stiffen. It was Sarah.
“Landon, you’ve made it,” Sarah said gently, her arm linked with Shirley’s, both of them seeming exceptionally chummy. Sarah’s pink dress was a deliberate match to Shirley’s vibrant red one, a detail that delighted Shirley. However, Shirley’s smile faded the moment her eyes landed on Leila.
Managing a forced smile, Leila offered her greetings.
“Landon, you wouldn’t believe how helpful Sarah has been lately. She’s incredibly efficient and intelligent!” Shirley lavished praise on Sarah, blatantly ignoring Leila as though she didn’t exist.
“From making lists to organizing purchases, she’s even outshone the top corporate accountants!” Shirley added, her admiration for Sarah evident in her tone.
Leila listened, her head bowed, engulfed by a mix of sadness and numbness. Shirley had summoned Sarah for ordinary tasks, yet when Shirley called upon her, it was always in the manner of a servant.
“Doesn’t the housekeeper handle these chores?” Landon inquired.
Rather than echoing Shirley’s commendations for Sarah, Landon questioned, “You always have someone else handle your tasks. Do you pay her?”
“What… What are you talking about?” Shirley’s face reddened with embarrassment.
Sarah hastened to interject, “It’s fine, Landon. I’m just here to assist your mom…”
“But really, you should consider hiring someone for these chores. If you’re struggling to find help, I can have some of my company’s staff assist,” Landon suggested, his tone casual yet his expression cold.
“That’s enough!” Shirley snapped, realizing her attempt to praise Sarah had backfired. She coughed awkwardly and tugged Landon inside, hoping to steer him toward Sarah and away from Leila.
But Landon resisted, pausing to confront Shirley. “Why are you dragging me away? Isn’t someone already assisting you? Are you feeling ill? You need two people to hold you up?”
“You’re driving me crazy!” Shirley exclaimed, glaring at Landon, her frustration with his stubbornness mounting.
Leila looked up at Landon, her surprise evident. He had shown no regard for Sarah’s feelings. Why was that?
Leila had assumed Sarah’s arrival signaled her acceptance into the Kensington family, suggesting an imminent engagement to Landon. The moment Leila laid eyes on Sarah, she felt like a pawn in Sarah’s game of humiliation. Why, then, would Landon have insisted on her presence? Yet, Landon intervened, sparing her from being humiliated.
A bit stunned, Leila followed Landon into the villa.
“Landon, it’s been a while,” Dean greeted Landon, alongside his wife, Melinda.
Dean had managed the family’s international business for years and seldom visited home. Leila had only encountered him during family gatherings like Shirley’s birthday or other major events.
Although Leila had been part of the Kensington family for five years, her interactions with Dean were minimal. Her relationship with Melinda was equally distant. They barely talked, making them almost strangers.
This visit, however, took a different turn.
After welcoming Landon, Dean addressed Leila, “Leila, you’ve been making waves recently! Your name even reached me overseas!”
Leila stiffened at this, and Melinda quickly chimed in with a sneer, “Absolutely! Embarrassing yourself wherever you go! Do you think you’re someone significant?”
