Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila had no idea that those fleeting moments would soon be treasured as memories beyond reach.
The sight of the broken sculpture struck yet another blow to Leila’s heart, as if declaring that the past might forever remain just that, a memory.
Sarah kept probing, her eyes wide with feigned innocence. “What’s wrong? Is it too tough to repair? It seems like that’s all you’ve got. I’m no expert, but even I could fix it myself.”
A bystander, unable to contain their irritation, came to Leila’s defense. “You’re being too harsh. Why blame Leila? It’s not her fault.”
“Exactly, if she’s hesitant to fix it, it might just be because of your attitude.”
“I just handed Leila a painting that was nearly destroyed, and she restored it. Your piece is straightforward. Leila can certainly handle this.”
Though Leila appreciated their support, their words only deepened her sorrow.
Leila took a deep breath, struggling to quell the storm of emotions inside her. She faced Sarah, maintaining a composed fa?ade, her gaze impenetrable. She gestured for Sarah to leave the item here, and she would fix it.
Sarah flashed a smug smile. “I’ll look forward to the good news then.” With a confident stride, she walked away.
Linsey, looking perplexed, leaned in and whispered to Leila, “It’s clear Sarah’s just here to stir up trouble. Is it right for her to pressure you like that in front of everyone? Why did you agree to help her fix it? What if she claims you’re to blame when she comes to collect her things?”
Leila simply shook her head and gestured her response, indicating that this stuff wasn’t worth much, much like how Landon had easily dismissed her feelings.
Pushing Sarah’s item to the side, Leila turned her attention back to the belongings of others.
Every now and then, Leila’s eyes roamed the room, searching for a glimpse of Landon, but he was nowhere to be seen.
A sense of desolation settled in Leila’s heart again. Landon had probably chosen not to come, opting to avoid the discomfort of seeing her here, especially since he and Sarah were on a date. He wouldn’t want her presence to spoil their day.
Once Leila finished fixing Sarah’s item, she had Irene send Sarah a message to come and pick it up.
Sarah showed no interest whatsoever. “Oh, I’m a bit tied up here. I can’t come to collect it. How about you bring it over to me?” she suggested casually.
Irene’s voice took on a stern edge. “If you don’t show up, we might just toss it out like trash.”
Yet, Sarah remained arrogant and rude. “Then tell Leila I would have Landon pick it up on my behalf. Maybe she’d like me to arrange a chance for her to see Landon? I’m just trying to be nice, after all.”
Linsey lost her patience, snatched the phone, and lashed out, “What do you mean by that? You’re nothing but a shameless homewrecker! Even if Landon is blind enough to fall for you, it doesn’t change the fact that your actions are morally questionable. Leila and Landon’s interactions are aboveboard, unlike yours, which are nothing but unethical. Who needs you, the mistress, to create opportunities?”
“You!” Sarah’s voice chilled with rage. “Leila hasn’t given her orders. Why the rush to bark? I’ve said my piece. It’s Leila’s issue now.”
With that, Sarah ended the call abruptly.
Leila gave Linsey a reassuring pat on the back, urging her not to let the anger get to her.
Linsey glanced at Leila, her expression softening. “Leila, if you don’t feel like going, then don’t. If your husband has any objections later, we’ll all vouch for you.”
Leila shook her head determinedly. She had to go. Landon had already abandoned the item once. If he came to retrieve it, wouldn’t that just grant him another opportunity to reject it, especially in her presence?
Anyway, that was a gift from her heart. Leila couldn’t bear the thought of seeing it mistreated that way. She had no intention of returning the item to Sarah, yet there were clarifications she deemed necessary.
Linsey looked concerned. “That shameless woman is definitely plotting something. Going there might just invite more trouble. Why not let it go?”
Leila pondered the situation but couldn’t unravel why Sarah would want to entrap her. Sarah already had Landon’s affection and devotion. What more could Sarah desire? Moreover, she had been wanting a divorce from Landon. She didn’t mind telling Sarah about it if necessary.
If things escalated, Leila was prepared to prolong the divorce proceedings. At that point, she wouldn’t be the only one eager to move forward.
Realizing Leila’s resolve, the others felt it inappropriate to intervene further.
Ethan stepped forward. “I’ll accompany you. Don’t worry. I’ve got your back.”
Leila gave a grateful nod.
Sarah had chosen the teaching building at Eastonville University for their meeting.
Leila wondered why Sarah had picked such a place.
Leila and Ethan were about to head upstairs. However, they encountered Sarah descending the stairs just in time.
Sarah pointed at Leila with a haughty tilt of her chin. “Leila, come up by yourself. I don’t want strangers around, and I hope Mr. Brooks understands.”
Ethan regarded Sarah with a guarded expression. “Can you assure me you won’t harm Leila?”
Sarah laughed, “Mr. Brooks, are you trying to be Leila’s valiant protector now? Should I show Landon the photo of you two together? Considering she and Landon are still married, it might give him the evidence he needs to claim Leila has been unfaithful, don’t you think?”
Ethan’s expression hardened, his hands balling into fists and relaxing the next second. He wanted to avoid complicating matters for Leila.
Ethan stepped back, his worry for Leila evident in his eyes. “Contact me immediately if you need anything,” he said.
Leila gave a nod and followed Sarah upstairs.
They came upon a stairwell where Sarah extended her hand toward Leila. “Hand it over,” she ordered.
Leila shook her head firmly. She typed her response on her phone and showed the screen to Sarah: “I won’t give it to you. It’s my thank-you gift for Landon. Since he doesn’t want it, it’s mine to handle. I won’t let you destroy it.”
Sarah laughed, seemingly unbothered. She crossed her arms and moved closer to Leila. “I suspect you’re keeping it so you can tell Landon I bullied you, then use this gift to win him over and mend things.”
Leila tightened her lips, her expression steely as she shook her head again. She activated the text-to-speech function and had her phone articulate her response: “No, I won’t. I’m cutting ties with Landon. You don’t need to worry about me anymore. I agreed to meet you today just to make this clear. After the divorce, Landon and I will be strangers. I won’t interfere in your life, and I expect you won’t in mine either.”
Sarah scrutinized Leila’s face, searching for any sign of faltering. But all she saw was resolve.
Deep down, Sarah had hoped Leila’s talk of divorce was merely a tactic, but Leila’s demeanor suggested she was deadly serious.
Lately, Sarah had noticed Landon’s growing disinterest in her. On the rare occasions when he did show some affection, it seemed to occur only in Leila’s presence.
This pattern repeated itself too many times to be a mere coincidence.
Sarah had hoped that with Landon and Leila’s impending divorce, her chance would finally arrive. However, contrary to her expectations, Landon became even more distant.
Leila’s recent actions only served to confirm Sarah’s suspicions.
Being a woman herself, Sarah understood the dynamics at play. It was Leila who had initiated the divorce, not Landon. Landon hadn’t wanted it.
Sarah found it hard to accept this reality. In her eyes, she was the perfect match for Landon. If not for Leila’s interference, she would have rightfully been Landon’s wife. Now, Leila dared to behave as though she was doing her a favor by bowing out? How dare Leila!
Leila had no inkling of the turmoil inside Sarah. All she noticed was Sarah’s smile slowly giving way to an icy stare.
Leila mistook Sarah’s silence for disbelief and quickly typed again: “As long as you and Landon leave me out of this, I promise I won’t reach out to Landon first.”
Sarah smirked mischievously at that. “So, you’re telling me that if Landon reaches out, you’ll agree, though reluctantly?”
How could Landon possibly reach out to her? The thought had never crossed Leila’s mind. Anyway, she had said all that needed saying. She felt Sarah and Landon were an ideal match while she should have left earlier. It was ironic that she, the rightful wife, was leaving room for Sarah, the other woman.
In many ways, Leila felt she had been more than fair in her dealings. Sarah’s opinions didn’t matter to her.
Raising her hands, Leila gestured to Sarah that she was leaving.
As Leila moved away, a shout from Sarah stopped her in her tracks. “Leila!”
The next second, Leila felt something suddenly lunge at her.
With keen instinct, Leila detected something. Her self-preservation instincts kicked in. Rather than turning around, she grabbed the nearby railing and quickly stepped aside.
Sarah had meant to shove Leila down the stairs, but she hadn’t foreseen Leila’s quick reaction.
Due to momentum, Sarah stumbled, but she managed to avoid falling. However, her relief was short-lived as her high heels betrayed her, sending her tumbling.