Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila observed Landon bustling about in the kitchen, her emotions tangled in confusion. She had never imagined she’d witness such a scenario in her life. Landon’s unexpected benevolence both surprised and disconcerted Leila. Perhaps he recognized that he and Sarah had overstepped, and he was trying to make up for it. Yet, for Leila, such gestures were no longer necessary.
Landon surprised Leila by producing an entire spread of dishes. Expecting a culinary disaster, Leila was genuinely impressed by how presentable everything looked.
Landon sat opposite her, choosing not to eat himself. “Please, try it,” he urged, his voice slightly hoarse, betraying a mix of awkwardness and forced nonchalance. He couldn’t stop stealing glances at Leila’s reactions.
Tentatively, Leila took a bite. The food was delicious, defying her expectations. She gave a thumbs-up, praising his cooking while expressing her gratitude for his efforts to cook for her. Leila’s words carried a polite acknowledgment, but her face lacked true gratitude.
In the past few years, Leila had always been the one to cook. Landon was particular about his meals and sometimes refused to eat if he wasn’t interested. She had experimented with countless recipes to please him.
Landon, on the other hand, had never really cooked, except for a childhood experiment. With no one else at home, the servants dismissed Leila, leaving her to her own devices. She was too young then, barely tall enough to see over the stove.
When Landon returned from school to find Leila left hungry, he was furious. He scolded the servants and dismissed them immediately. Then, Landon clumsily prepared a plate of what could only generously be called scrambled eggs for Leila. After that incident, Leila never allowed Landon back in the kitchen.
Now, staring at the well-prepared dishes before her, Leila was lost in thought. It seemed he had learned to cook after all. The truth was that he had chosen not to cook for her before. It seemed he had refined his culinary skills for Sarah.
Throughout their meal, the silence was palpable. Landon silently watched Leila, his gaze constant. Feeling his eyes on her, Leila began to feel a bit pressured. She paused and set down her fork, asking what was on his mind.
Landon’s reply came with a nonchalant tone. “So, what’s your plan? Are you going to stay here?”
Caught off guard, Leila simply nodded.
Landon took a deep breath, his hands tightening into fists before he managed to continue, “Look, whatever Sarah did, that’s not on me. I didn’t give her the keys. I had no idea she’d approach the butler. And for the record, I’ve fired the butler.”
Leila was taken aback. So, this was why Landon had come to find her. He was trying to clear the air about these issues. She paused briefly and then sighed, telling him that these actions were uncalled for, since what had been done was done, and trying to make amends now wouldn’t change anything.
Landon studied Leila intently, hoping to discern any trace of emotion in her eyes, but they remained impassive. She seemed detached from the situation.
Restless, Landon shifted in his seat, crossing his long legs. “I’ll take Sarah away for a break soon. Too much has happened recently. If you need anything while I’m gone, Edgar can help.”
Leila’s eyelashes fluttered momentarily, a subtle movement that betrayed little else. She nodded faintly, her demeanor still disinterested.
Landon felt a mix of confusion and frustration. The vibrant, eager girl who used to shadow him seemed a distant memory now. Perhaps she had grown weary of being kept close, like a pet confined to a cage. Leila had transformed into a bird yearning desperately for freedom, with Landon unwittingly acting as the barrier holding her back. In her quest to break free, her resentment toward him had deepened over time.
The sudden scrape of Landon’s chair against the floor startled Leila.
Landon stood up abruptly, his expression troubled. Leila felt perplexed. Why was he upset? Had she said something to offend him? Or was he here, humbling himself and seeking reconciliation, just for Sarah’s sake? Did he want her to leave Sarah alone and cease stirring up trouble?
Landon hesitated, his thoughts racing, but Leila preempted him. She signed, pledging solemnly that as long as Sarah left her alone, she would do the same. She added that what happened before was inevitable and promised not to disrupt their lives anymore.
Landon’s eyes turned steely, his voice cutting through the air. “Is that truly how you feel?”
Before Leila could respond, he let out a hollow laugh. “Fine. If that’s your decision, remember your words today.”
Leila bit her lip, masking her disappointment and bitterness.
Landon turned away without another word, the door slamming shut behind him.
Leila didn’t look back. Despite her efforts, tears welled up in her eyes. She stared at the table laden with food, a lingering reminder of Landon’s presence. But as he departed, that presence dissipated, leaving behind a void as if he had never been there at all.
Determined to erase his memory, Leila resolved not to touch the food and decided to discard it all.
As she sorted through her thoughts, Leila reminded herself to move forward.
Once the clothes were repaired, Leila hurriedly took them to Rachel, her anxiety mounting. Restoring them to their original state seemed almost impossible, and Leila anxiously awaited Rachel’s reaction.
To Leila’s surprise, tears welled up in Rachel’s eyes as soon as she spotted the repaired dresses.
Flustered, Leila hurriedly typed a message. “I’m sorry. I promised to repair them, but this is the best I could manage. Please don’t be disappointed. I’m sincerely sorry.”
Rachel suddenly grasped Leila’s hand, her eyes filled with tears but also with gratitude.
Shaking her head slightly, Rachel spoke softly, not upset at all. “In fact, I’m incredibly grateful. Now I see why Hayden picked you. You’re amazing. These dresses were in such bad shape, but you’ve restored them beautifully.”
Leila was taken aback by Rachel’s words. How could Rachel have known the clothes were in bad condition before?
Leila had considered confiding in Rachel but hesitated, fearing it might upset her. Instead, Leila resolved to attempt the repairs herself first, planning to disclose the truth only if she couldn’t salvage them.
“Thank you,” Rachel squeezed Leila’s hand emotionally. “I’m at a loss for words to thank you.”
Curious, Leila typed down her question, “Who told you the clothes were ruined before?”
Rachel nodded, ready to respond, when a deep voice boomed from behind. It was Phillip.
Phillip strode purposefully toward them, his usually stern demeanor softened by Leila’s presence. “Mrs. Kensington, I’ve been wanting to apologize in person for the incident at the last party, but time slipped away from me. Rachel means the world to me, and my words were out of line. Please accept my sincere apologies.”
Leila quickly shook her head, reassuring Phillip that she harbored no ill feelings.
Rachel, treating the clothes like precious artifacts, handed them over to Phillip. “Dad, look! Leila fixed them. Isn’t she amazing?”
Phillip’s eyes filled with tears as he recognized the dresses. “Your mother wore this one on our first date, and I got her that one for her birthday party that year. Over time, I’ve lost so many of her things for all sorts of reasons. I’ve looked everywhere but came up empty. I thought her possessions were gone for good. I was…”
“Mrs. Kensington, I can’t thank you enough,” Phillip turned to Leila, his eyes filled with deep appreciation, and extended an invitation. “If it’s okay with you, we’d love for you to join us for dinner.”
Seeing the hopeful expression in Rachel’s eyes, Leila agreed with a warm smile.
Rachel, bubbling with enthusiasm, then suggested to Phillip that they should put together an exhibition of her mother’s cherished items.
Phillip responded with enthusiasm, “That sounds nice. Just let me know if you need any help with that.”
As Leila observed their warm interaction, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. During her time with the Kensington, she had been part of such familial warmth, and those moments had passed all too quickly. A feeling of loneliness crept into her heart.
The atmosphere at the Simpson home was welcoming, though. Despite his serious demeanor, Phillip made an effort to engage Leila in conversation, ensuring she felt included.
Noticing Leila’s silence, Phillip quickly called over a servant who was proficient in sign language to facilitate communication for her.
Rachel’s smile grew even brighter, appreciating her father’s thoughtful gesture.
Rachel leaned in and whispered to Leila, “Dad doesn’t usually talk this much with people he’s just met. It means he really likes you.”
Leila smiled, gesturing that she had simply kept her word and that there was no need to thank her for that.
Rachel’s face suddenly took on a serious expression. “Leila, there’s something else I need to talk to you about. I hope you’ll be on board.”
Leila looked curious, wondering what Rachel could possibly need her agreement on.
Before Rachel could elaborate, a servant hurried over, interrupting them. She reported that Sarah had arrived and was asking for Rachel.
Given the last unpleasant encounter, everyone in the Simpson family knew Rachel’s relationship with Sarah had grown strained, leading them to cease contact.
Knowing this, the servant hesitated to let Sarah in immediately.
Rachel cast a quick, meaningful glance at Leila, subtly shaking her head. “I don’t want to speak with her. Please ask her to leave.”
The servant’s face clouded with concern. “Miss, Miss Miller is quite adamant. She claims if you refuse to meet, she’ll camp out at the front door and not budge an inch.”
Leila gestured to Rachel, her gestures clearly saying, “It might be better to face her. Sarah’s known for her stubborn streak. Ignoring her might only invite more drama.”
Rachel exhaled a resigned sigh. “Alright, let her in.”
Soon after, Sarah entered the hall, looking quite distressed. “Rachel, I thought you were so mad at me that we’d never speak again…”
Sarah’s voice faltered when she noticed Leila sitting beside Rachel.
Rachel stood up, her expression composed. “Let me introduce you to my new friend, Leila. Since you two are already acquainted, I’ll spare the details.”