Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Despite Linsey’s quick temper and tendency to hold grudges, she had always shown kindness to Leila, who wanted to repay Linsey’s generosity.
With resignation, Leila added her willingness to quit working at the bookstore as a term, hoping Landon wouldn’t go after Linsey.
Landon’s face twitched, yet he remained silent.
Leila’s anxiety spiked. She wondered if Landon was contemplating retaliating against Linsey because of Sarah. The thought was unbearable. She couldn’t live with such guilt if anything happened to Linsey!
Leila reached out and gently tugged at Landon’s sleeve, her heart lifting when he didn’t pull away. With immense effort, she managed to whisper, “Landon…” This was the only word she could produce, her vocal cords damaged beyond easy use.
At her voice, the icy look in Landon’s eyes thawed. They had shared a joyful childhood, her presence a constant comfort whenever he felt down, always there when he needed her most.
“Okay, for you, I’ll forgive her.”
Leila’s relief was palpable as she heard Landon’s vow. He was a man of his word. Once he committed to something, he never backed out.
A radiant smile brightened Leila’s face, her eyes twinkling with emotion, and she couldn’t resist pulling Landon into a tight embrace.
It had been far too long since Leila had addressed Landon in this tone.
Back in their school days, Landon had been quite the heartthrob, drawing adoration from countless girls.
When they discovered Landon’s closeness to Leila, their jealousy manifested cruelly. They stuffed Leila’s desk with dead worms, tossed her belongings into the trash, and locked her in the bathroom.
Leila endured the bullying silently, too afraid to complain lest the Kensington family think her a nuisance. To ease the situation, she reluctantly kept her distance from Landon.
Now, as Landon’s hand rested comfortingly on Leila’s back, he too reminisced about those times. Tenderly, he lifted her chin, gazing into her eyes before lowering his lips to hers, capturing the soft pink of her lips in a gentle kiss…
Landon’s kiss, heavy with the scent of alcohol and his own distinct aroma, was forceful. Leila resisted briefly before melting into his arms. Their intimate moment was shattered by the shrill ring of Landon’s phone.
They both jerked back to reality, and Landon, with a furrowed brow, snatched up his phone. Leila, knowing too well who would call at such an hour, stepped back and slumped against the couch, her gaze falling to the floor. What role did she play in Landon’s life, exactly?
“Why haven’t you come to my place yet? Did you forget your promise?” The living room, cloaked in the silence of the night, carried Sarah’s petulant voice to Leila’s ears.
“I thought we agreed you wouldn’t see your mute wife again… Yet, you’ve ignored how I feel and taken her side! Now I’m the one in trouble, and you’re not there for me.” Sarah’s complaint dwindled into a prolonged moan, her tone shifting to that of a long-suffering spouse.
A wave of sadness washed over Leila.
“Leila is sick,” Landon responded, dismissing Sarah’s complaints.
“But I’m sick too… I’ve got a headache, just caught a cold, and I think I’m about to start my period. Landon, won’t you come and check on me?” Sarah’s voice was sticky and needy over the phone, and Leila found it unbearable. She walked over to Landon, signaling to him that she was fine with him checking on Sarah.
Landon’s face turned icy in an instant. Did Leila really not want him to stay? Did she no longer want to share the villa with him?
However, Leila misread his frustration as anger over her overhearing his conversation. She quickly dropped her gaze and gestured her apology.
“I’ll be right there,” Landon replied tersely, standing up. He didn’t look back at Leila as he stormed away.
Leila stood still, listening to his footsteps fade. She didn’t turn around, even as tears slid down her cheeks. She desperately wanted Landon to stay, to be with her. She wished she could be petulant and demanding like Sarah.
But Leila believed she didn’t have the right. She had always pretended she didn’t love Landon. Yet, only she knew the depth of her love for him, how much she was willing to sacrifice for him, her life included.
The next morning, Leila returned to the bookstore, but this time to hand in her resignation to Linsey.
“Leila, how did things go after you returned home yesterday? Did Landon trouble you? He owes you an apology!” As soon as Linsey spotted Leila, she couldn’t resist asking.
Leila, who dared not reveal that Landon had been with Sarah after dropping her off last night, mustered a forced smile and gestured she was fine.
Linsey slammed her hand on the table. “At least he has some sense, not just blindly running after that bitch!”
Leila let out a small chuckle and then gestured her caution against acting recklessly.
“I can’t help it! I lose my temper too quickly in that bitch’s presence! I’ve thought it all through. If that bitch has the nerve to call the police, I’ll make sure they know she’s a mistress! There has to be some justice in this world!”
Patting Linsey on the shoulder, Leila waved her hands frantically, her desire to distance Linsey from trouble evident.
“I know it’s tough for you to be caught in the middle…” Linsey sighed.
Wanting to steer clear of further upsetting Linsey, Leila shifted the conversation and pulled out a stash of money.
“What are you doing?” Linsey inquired, puzzled.
Leila put on a serious expression, her sign language suggesting her decision to quit while the money was her silent compensation for the trouble she thought she had brought on Linsey.
“What nonsense are you talking about! Keep your money! I don’t need it! Why would you want to quit? Is Landon still bothering you?” Linsey exploded again. “Is Landon forcing you to quit your job? You can divorce him and stay with me. I’ll take care of you! My family might not have as much money as the Kensington family, but we’re not scared of him!”
For some reason, Leila was experiencing chest tightness and a headache. She managed a lie, her sign language saying Landon wanted her to stay home more often to soften their relationship.
“Really? He actually wants to fix things with you?” Linsey asked, her eyes narrowing in doubt.
Despite her skepticism, having seen Landon carry Leila away and leave Sarah behind the previous day made Linsey slightly more inclined to believe.
“But that doesn’t mean you should give up your job! You shouldn’t have to quit just for the sake of your relationship! But if that’s your decision, then fine.” Linsey frowned, slightly frustrated.
Linsey handed the money back to Leila. “Keep the money and don’t try to give it to me as some sort of compensation. If you ever change your mind, you’re welcome to come back to work.”
Leila nodded, smiling faintly as she attempted to rise. However, her vision suddenly darkened, and she staggered, collapsing to the side.
“Leila!” Linsey screamed, startled.
Supported by Linsey, Leila attempted to stand her ground, yet her legs betrayed her, too feeble to support her weight. Dazed, Leila allowed Linsey to guide her into a chair. Linsey promptly called an ambulance and reached out to Ethan.
Amidst her grogginess, Leila’s mind wandered to a distant memory. Had circumstances been different, might she have chosen Ethan over Landon? After all, Ethan had once proposed, and Linsey had been eager to see them together.
As Leila regained consciousness in a hospital bed, Linsey’s concerned face greeted her.
“How are you feeling? Any discomfort?” Linsey inquired.
With the IV needle secured in her arm, Leila lifted it slightly, reassured by its presence. She managed a weak smile, indicating she was fine.
“You’ve got low blood sugar and malnutrition,” Linsey relayed the doctor’s words. “Did you skip breakfast?”
Ethan’s voice came from the side, filled with concern. “Leila, how could Landon not take good care of you? To think the Kensington family’s role in your sudden fainting… Have you not been eating well?”
Linsey, frustrated, thumped the bed and then immediately apologized. “I’m sorry. Did that frighten you?”
Leila offered a weak smile and shook her head, her sign language saying it was all because of her own failure to eat properly.
Leila used to prepare lavish meals for Landon, only to discard them later since he seldom returned. Gradually, her appetite had waned.
Seeing her friend’s condition, Linsey adjusted the hospital tray and set down a collection of Leila’s favorite dishes. “I’ve brought all your favorites. You need to eat well today, or I’m not letting you leave,” she declared firmly.
Leila grinned as she sat up, but her smile vanished completely when Linsey voiced her frustration. “Landon is so irresponsible! I called him, and his assistant just brushed me off, saying not to bother Landon unless it’s critical. Can you believe that? Leila was his wife, lying unconscious in the hospital, and they say it’s not urgent?”
Leila signed swiftly, trying to soothe Linsey. She frantically gestured that she was fine and since Landon was in a meeting, disturbing him wasn’t an option. She emphasized she was fine now and didn’t require Landon’s care.
Linsey opened her mouth to respond, but paused, reconsidering her words in light of Leila’s condition. Instead, she quietly opened a food box for Leila and sighed. “From now on, just let me know if there’s anything you need.”
“Yeah, you’ve got both of us,” Ethan chimed in, standing nearby.
After spending some time at the hospital, Ethan and Linsey sent Leila back home.
Leila didn’t anticipate Landon’s presence. He was sprawled on the sofa, his face clouded with gloom.
“Where have you been?” Landon asked, his gaze quickly sweeping over her before settling on the food box in her hands. “Out for lunch?”