Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“What are you doing?” Landon demanded in a hushed tone. “Come back with me.”
Leila met his gaze, her expression clouded with confusion. She had been to similar events with Landon before, yet she always felt like she didn’t belong. Whether she clung to his side or left early, his complaints were inevitable.
Eventually, Leila stopped accompanying Landon altogether, and Sarah had taken her place.
Now, confronted with Landon’s familiar scowl, Leila braced herself for another round of criticism.
However, to her surprise, Landon pulled her back to his side without a word and steered her toward Louis to resume their conversation.
Keith, witnessing the scene, shifted from anxiety to embarrassment. He shot a glance at Sarah and quietly retreated.
“Oh, Mr. Kensington, you and your wife seem to get along well…” Louis remarked with a smile, engaging Landon in conversation as others joined in.
Throughout the evening, Landon’s grip on Leila’s hand remained firm, never once loosening until the banquet concluded.
As the final guest departed, silence enveloped the mansion.
Dean pulled Landon aside for a private conversation, while Leila lingered at the entrance of the villa, waiting.
It was then that Shirley approached Leila.
Shirley scrutinized Leila from head to toe, her eyes brimming with disapproval. “You didn’t lift a finger earlier, and now you’re not planning to help clean up?” she said mockingly, her voice laden with censure.
Leila faced Shirley with a blank expression, offering no reply.
“First mute, now deaf and dumb too?” Shirley taunted under her breath as she reached out to grab Leila’s arm.
Shirley’s fingers targeted the softest parts of Leila’s arm, a cruel habit that often left bruises.
Previously, Leila had borne it silently, occasionally flinching reflexively as Shirley drew near. Today mirrored the past no differently.
“Do you think Landon will side with you over his own mother?” Shirley hissed venomously. “Better fall in line unless you fancy a divorce!”
As Shirley reached to pinch Leila once more, Leila abruptly broke free from her grasp.
The movement was forceful, accompanied by a distinct snap.
Shirley froze, shock etching her face, her eyes wide with disbelief at Leila’s bold defiance.
Leila pulled out her phone and quickly typed a message: “Ask Sarah if she needs someone to clean. I’m not doing it.”
Leila showed the message to Shirley before abruptly spinning around and striding away, leaving Shirley gaping in disbelief.
“You!” Shirley reached out to stop Leila, but Leila shrugged off her grasp effortlessly.
In the past, Shirley had bullied Leila because Leila rarely resisted and always seemed so meek. Despite her slight frame, Leila was much younger than Shirley, and it was unthinkable for Shirley to actually harm her.
As Leila shrugged Shirley off once again, Shirley nearly lost her balance from the force, yet Leila didn’t even bother to look back.
“You…” Shirley was on the verge of yelling, but she restrained herself, wary of drawing Landon’s attention. Clenching her teeth, she shot a venomous look at Leila’s disappearing figure. “Just you wait!”
Heading toward the parking lot, Leila was halted by a voice calling her from the front yard of the mansion. It was Donovan, the charming man she met at the party.
The sign language interpreter stood next to him.
Leila beamed at Donovan and gestured her surprise to see him here at this hour.
Donovan, exuding an air of friendliness and sophistication, remarked, “Yeah, I was waiting for you, Leila. I brought up earlier that I had something to discuss with you.”
During the party, Donovan had briefly touched on needing Leila’s expertise for an artifact restoration, but they were interrupted before delving deeper into the conversation.
Seeing Donovan waiting for her, Leila patiently signed, asking what he needed her help with and expressing her determination to restore it if it was an artifact.
Leila was always ready to assist individuals in their circle. Whether the artifacts were sent to Hayden’s studio or handled by the Hayes Group’s Antiquities Research Department, she was willing to contribute personally. After all, it was an excellent networking opportunity and might even bolster Landon’s professional prospects.
Then, Leila caught herself defaulting to old habits. Why was she still factoring Landon’s interests into her decisions, especially when she was contemplating a divorce?
“You’re always so easy to work with! Don’t worry, the payment will be more than fair. Actually, there’s another aspect to this job…” Before Donovan could elaborate, they were abruptly interrupted by a stern male voice.
“If you expect my wife to take on a task, you ought to lead with a proper offer, don’t you think?” It was Landon, approaching with a steely look directed at Donovan. His tone was tinged with an unmistakable hint of jealousy.
“Mr. Kensington, you’re right. I should demonstrate some sincerity,” Donovan said and signaled to the sign language interpreter beside him to retrieve the gift from his car.
But Leila didn’t want this. She wasn’t the type to calculate every little thing or be overly concerned about money. Although she understood the business world, she wasn’t purely a businesswoman. She was nothing like Landon, who prioritized profit above all else.
So, Leila quickly gestured to Donovan that she didn’t need any gifts, expressing that she was willing to offer her assistance if he needed it.
However, the interpreter had already departed, and Donovan failed to understand Leila’s gestures.
Landon caught on instantly.
As Leila was about to clarify using her phone, Landon approached. “How generous, are you?” he remarked, eyeing Leila with evident skepticism.
Leila met his gaze defiantly-she didn’t want to become someone like him.
Stepping aside, Leila typed a message on her phone before presenting it to Landon, showing her stance. “What’s all this about?”
“Leila, you’re too generous!” Donovan exclaimed, his expression shifting to a smile. “Actually, it’s for an event at Eastonville University. I was hoping you could do a presentation.”
Donovan intended for it to be a speech, but Leila’s inability to speak transformed it into a presentation.
“It marks the 50th anniversary of the Archaeology Department at Eastonville University, which coincides with the 80th anniversary of the university itself. As an alumnus, I felt compelled to return and join the celebration,” Donovan explained to Leila in detail.
Leila nodded in understanding. Eastonville University was renowned nationwide, and receiving an invitation from Donovan was indeed a privilege.
“As part of the event, the Archaeology Department will invite several esteemed alumni to share their insights. I’d like you to be one of them. Would that be alright with you?” Donovan asked.
Leila considered the possibility of it being merely a roundtable discussion. Even if she attended, she envisioned herself playing a minor role, particularly with experts like Hayden likely in attendance.
However, Donovan’s expectant look prompted Leila to agree without any second thoughts. She nodded again, signaling her acceptance.
“Thank you, Leila!” Donovan expressed his gratitude, visibly elated.
Yet, Landon sneered, “Do you even understand what this event entails? And yet you agree so readily?”
Although Leila was unsure what lay ahead, her excitement about trying something new was undeniable. She was open to the experience, eager for adventures she had yet to encounter.
Landon had questioned Leila several times. Ignoring him again might make him look bad. Thus, Leila turned to Landon, gesturing her explanation that she was simply keen to try new things and promised not to make him look bad.
Leila felt sure of her words. Despite the repeated questioning, she had managed to hold her composure each time.
Landon looked displeased, yet he remained silent.
When Donovan’s interpreter came back offering a gift, Leila politely refused it, showing her appreciation for it and shifting the focus to express her excitement for the opportunity. She proposed holding off on any gifts until after she had completed her presentation, as accepting the gift now just didn’t sit right with her.
Donovan, unable to insist, simply smiled and expressed his gratitude once more.
Landon, silent and sullen, said nothing until they were away from the Kensington’ estate and alone in the car.
Landon pulled over to the roadside, turned to Leila with a serious gaze, and asked, “What are you really after?”
Leila met his stare, unflustered. It appeared that since settling her inner conflicts, Landon had lost his ability to shake her emotionally.
“Do you always have to be so friendly with everyone?” Landon prodded.
