Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
One day, noticing Leila deep in thought, Hazel slowed her steps. Approaching Leila, she gently said, “Leila?”
Leila lifted her head upon hearing the voice. She quickly signed to Hazel, asking how the recovery was going and if there was any discomfort.
Hazel offered a reassuring smile. “Much better now. Mr. Kensington arranged a competent doctor for me. He mentioned if there is any discomfort remaining, he’ll take me to the hospital.”
Leila acknowledged the update with a nod and then expressed that she preferred to be addressed as Leila instead of Madam.
Hazel paused, biting her lip as she spoke. “Actually, I don’t believe Mr. Kensington is as unfeeling as he appears. I wasn’t hired by Roderick. If Mr. Kensington truly cared for Sarah, he would have dismissed me already. I believe he still respects your feelings. In his eyes, you are his rightful wife, and Sarah is merely an interloper. Perhaps when Mr. Kensington tires of her, things will return to normal.”
Leila’s expression turned grave as she listened to Hazel’s words. Though she was unable to verbalize her mind, her resolve was clearly reflected through her gestures. Leila signed, making it clear that she couldn’t settle for being just one among many women by Landon’s side. In a world that claimed to value equality, she couldn’t quite understand why she, as his rightful wife, should compete with others for his affection. It didn’t sit well with her.
Leila had never before confronted the inherent imbalance in their relationship.
Hearing this, Hazel swiftly steered the conversation elsewhere. “I heard you’re going to attend the party. I did a little digging for you. It’s for Miss Simpson’s birthday. Her family might not be rich, but they’ve been prominent in the education sector for generations, and they hold considerable respect. Miss Simpson herself is known for her fairness and integrity, so you likely wouldn’t encounter any issues. You can go with peace of mind.”
Leila’s face lit up with a smile. That was indeed good news. However, the thought of Sarah and Landon attending the event together soured her mood. Yet, she felt powerless to change anything. She hadn’t done anything to be ashamed of, so there was no reason for fear. If she avoided them, Sarah could start spreading rumors.
“Leila!” A sharp, feminine voice called out from behind her.
Turning around, Leila saw Sarah approaching, her elegance underscored by a determined look.
Sarah did not bother to contain her smug face and sharpness.
“Don’t give me that look. Landon was available today, so he took me shopping. We even bought some clothes.” As she said this, Sarah produced a gift bag and flashed Leila a provocative grin. “I even picked out a gift for you. Landon helped choose it.”
Leila simply watched Sarah silently.
Hazel moved to stand protectively in front of Leila. “Miss Miller, if you desire peace and quiet, you should avoid stirring up trouble. It’s bad enough that you’re shamelessly lingering here, but now you’re openly challenging the lady of the house. Isn’t that a bit much?”
Sarah let out a scornful laugh. “Lady of the house? Does Leila truly believe she’s entitled to that role? Landon would likely scoff at that. This is Landon’s house. What authority do you have to speak on this?”
“You!” Hazel bristled with anger.
Leila intervened, quietly taking the bag from Sarah. She opened it and found a garment inside, something reminiscent of a vintage store find, yet it had a touch of elegance.
Leila couldn’t fathom why Sarah would give her this. It was clearly not meant to be kind. She barely glanced at it before tossing it directly into the trash.
Sarah, however, didn’t appear bothered. With a slightly amused look, she raised an eyebrow. “I had warned you. This was a gift from Landon, and you don’t seem to appreciate it at all.”
Leila chose not to reply. Instead, she calmly looked up and met Sarah’s eyes. She typed her response:
“I need to talk to you.”
Sarah’s lips tightened, showing her reluctance, but she didn’t object. She likely relished feeling superior to Leila and didn’t want to miss an opportunity to see Leila upset.
As Hazel exited the room to give them privacy, Sarah found a chair and sat down, tilting her chin up slightly. “Be quick about it. I have plans tonight. Landon is taking me out to a new restaurant!”
In response, Leila bowed slightly, her demeanor one of humility and exhaustion as she made a feeble gesture. The messages on her phone screen showed what she desired behind these movements.
“I promise you, I’ll leave Landon. We’re already sorting out our divorce. Can you just leave me alone?”
Sarah’s expression turned peculiar. “What do you mean ‘leave you alone’? It’s me who should be asking you that. That day was terrifying. I never want to experience anything like it again.”
Although Sarah mimicked a shiver to appear frightened, her eyes betrayed no fear.
Leila bit her lip, her gaze icy. She looked down in an attempt to conceal her emotions, making her seem more subdued. Her messages on her phone screen were crystal clear:
“You know full well I didn’t push you that day. I was merely warning you about the incident regarding Hazel the other day. But it doesn’t matter anymore. I don’t want to stay here any longer. If you and the Miller family stop coming after me, I’ll leave right away. I’ll leave Landon and let you be. Isn’t that what you want?”
Sarah rose and approached Leila. Observing Leila’s lowered head, a wave of satisfaction washed over her.
She then clicked her tongue. “Leila, isn’t it a bit late now to be humbling yourself? You’re right. I have no intention of making this easy for you. Even if everything was a lie, it’s irrelevant. I want you to understand that if anything happens to me, there’s a whole network ready to back me up. Even your husband will stand by my side. Who cares about the truth? It doesn’t matter to anyone.”
Sarah abruptly seized Leila’s chin, her sharp nails digging in and leaving crimson streaks across Leila’s pale skin. The sight was startling.
Leila’s eyes brimmed with tears, yet she clenched her teeth, stubbornly holding them back.
Sarah’s lips twisted into a cruel smile, her gaze dripping with spite. “You only have yourself to blame for manipulating Landon into marrying you with Roderick’s help. I should have been Landon’s wife. You should have stepped aside. You stole my place, and for that, I can’t forgive you.”
Sarah released Leila’s chin roughly, her tone growing even more vicious. “Honestly, I was tempted to push you down that day. I just didn’t think you’d react that fast and be so fortunate. But now, it doesn’t matter. See? Landon will always side with me. Had you fallen that day, nobody would have batted an eye. Leila, if I were as pitiful as you, I couldn’t bear to show my face.”
Leila straightened up, her eyes, once tearful, now icy. Her movements were stiff, signaling silent defiance that practically yelled, “Sarah, ever heard the phrase ‘the worm turns’? Push me too far, and I’ll make sure I’m not the only one who falls!”
Sarah’s phone buzzed unexpectedly. Without hesitating, she flashed the screen toward Leila. Landon was calling.
Sarah’s tone grew more taunting. “Look at this, Leila. When was the last time Landon called you? Oh, how could I forget? You can’t speak, so having a conversation with you must be challenging. Did you know each night Landon spent with you, he’d spend hours on the phone with me? What you failed to provide, I did. Since you insist on hanging on to being his wife, don’t blame me for being cruel.”
With a smug smile, Sarah answered the call and strutted away.
Leila stood there, stunned, watching Sarah depart.
Sarah arrived at the restaurant, elated to meet Landon. Her joy doubled upon seeing him alone in the chamber.
These days, Landon always seemed to bring Edgar along, leaving them little time by themselves. He seemed to keep his distance from her in this way.
Sarah felt as though Landon might have had a change of heart now.
Instead of choosing the chair opposite Landon, Sarah slid into the seat right beside him, edging closer. “Landon, why did you ask me out tonight, just the two of us?”
Landon replied with a frosty tone, “Can’t you sit properly?”
Sarah’s face fell into a pout, visibly upset. “I always used to snuggle up to you. What’s changed? Tell me you haven’t fallen for that mute.”
Landon remained quiet, a fleeting image of Leila crossing his mind. Her expression was detached.
He couldn’t pinpoint exactly when, but Leila had grown increasingly distant from him. The Leila who once adored him seemed to have disappeared. His thoughts clouded over.
Landon wanted to avoid conversation with Sarah, so he pulled out his phone. He showed her a video.
He didn’t even need to play it. The title alone was enough to drain the color from Sarah’s face. She clenched her fists, utterly speechless.
“Landon, where did you get this?” Sarah gasped.
Landon gave Sarah a chilling look. “I’ve told you before, if I’m determined to uncover the truth, I have countless ways to do so. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, should it?”
Sarah was at a loss for words. Frustration welled up within her as she bit her lip.
Nothing remained hidden from Landon when he sought the truth. Sarah had always believed Landon trusted her enough not to pry. Yet, here he was, having unearthed everything without her even realizing it.
Clutching at a faint hope, Sarah confessed, “Now that you’ve come to tell me this without directly helping clear Leila’s name, that means you don’t want to hurt me. Yes, I framed Leila intentionally. I despise her! Why should she be the one by your side? It should be me!”
Landon pocketed his phone, his tone frosty. “Regardless, it’s not your place to interfere with the matters between Leila and me. I’m not sure what made you think you ever had a chance. If that’s the case, let me be clear. No one can coerce me into something I don’t want.”
Understanding dawned on Sarah, draining the color from her face. It was a stark declaration. His decision to marry Leila had been a choice solely his own. But how could this be possible?
From Sarah’s perspective, Leila was just a useless mute, making her seem like an unlikely match for Landon. Yet, now Sarah had to come to grips with the fact that Landon harbored feelings for Leila. This sole idea was driving her insane.
Landon’s harsh words continued to echo. “I haven’t made this public yet because I want to preserve some dignity for the Miller family. Do you get what I mean?”
The sound of the door slamming was the final blow to Sarah’s composure. She slumped against the table, her legs nearly giving way. A wave of bitterness and despair overwhelmed her. Despite biting her lip, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
“No way…” Sarah whispered hoarsely, clutching the edge of the table with all her might. “I can’t accept this!”
Sarah was far from being reconciled. Landon was meant to be hers. She refused to let him go. If Landon’s affections were wandering, she would find a way to recapture his heart.
