Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Brent gave a nod of approval.
Together, they drove to a modestly sized villa nestled in the mountains on the outskirts of the capital.
Although not overly spacious, it was perfectly suitable for one person. Its location in the mountains was its primary charm.
Brent revealed to Leila that Jerome used to own the property. Back when Jerome was younger, he and his wife had purchased it because they were drawn to its tranquility.
This property was affordable, which meant the rest of the Hayes family didn’t take much interest in it.
Eventually, Jerome passed it on to Brent.
Even if Landon suspected something, it would take him some time to pinpoint this location. Leila could find peace here.
“More importantly,” Brent said with a smile, gesturing to his left, “just a few hundred meters in that direction is where I’ve been living. I prefer to keep my distance from the rest of the Hayes family. That’s where you’ll find me most of the time. If you ever need anything, feel free to come by. Furthermore…”
Brent waved his hand casually, and as he did, someone entered the hall.
Leila was taken aback to see Irene.
Irene offered Leila a gentle smile.
“I’ve brought Irene on board to look after you,” Brent explained. “She’s able to manage her other responsibilities online, so it’s no trouble. And don’t worry, I’m compensating her generously, I’ve doubled her usual rate.”
The idea of having company pleased Leila, yet it stirred a twinge of concern within her.
Leila typed on her phone: “But Irene has her own life, her own dreams. It isn’t right to pull her away just for my sake. It’s not fair to her.”
Irene laughed softly, shaking her head. “No, I chose to come here on my own. Besides, I’m making more than double what I was before, so it’s hardly a burden. Please, don’t feel like you’re imposing on me.”
Hearing this, Leila chose not to object. She glanced at Brent, her eyes conveying silent gratitude.
She had turned to Brent out of necessity, reluctant to impose on Linsey and the others.
Brent noticed Leila’s gloom and, concerned about her feeling isolated in this new environment, arranged for Irene to accompany her.
With everything in place, the doctor finally arrived.
The doctor conducted a brief examination on Leila and offered a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, your baby is in excellent condition. Everything looks great. You’re almost three months along now, and it’s important to remain cautious during this critical period. Once you get past these first three months, things should start to stabilize. I suggest you keep up with regular visits to the hospital to ensure everything continues to go smoothly.”
At last, Leila felt a wave of relief wash over her.
She clasped a hand over her mouth, tears nearly escaping her eyes. Her baby was healthy! The earlier pronouncements by that primary doctor had been deceptive.
If she hadn’t been resolute, or if Brent hadn’t been persistent in supporting her, she might have lost the baby to overwhelming sorrow.
A chill crept up her spine as she realized the extent of Landon’s efforts to endanger her baby under the guise of preserving his own reputation. He had manipulated that doctor into misleading her. As long as she signed the consent form for the procedure, the blame would fall on no one else.
Irene noticed the rage simmering in Leila’s eyes and recognized the gravity of the situation. She cleared her throat and addressed the doctor, “Thank you for coming. Could you please prescribe some medication? She needs to rest adequately.”
The doctor gave a nod, gathered his belongings, and departed. Brent lingered only briefly, issuing a few last instructions to Irene before he made his exit.
As Irene approached Leila, whose sadness was palpable, she couldn’t help but feel a wave of compassion.
“You might not be ready to discuss what occurred, but we’ve made it through. Everything’s going to be alright now. Try to get some rest. Things will look up soon,” Irene reassured her.
Leila nodded in thanks, but as she got to her feet, tears streamed down her face.
Through sign language, Leila conveyed her bewilderment to Irene. She was at a loss as to how, after so many years together, Landon could show such cold indifference. Perhaps he had always been this way, and she was never an exception.
Feeling Leila’s distress, Irene gently dabbed away her tears. “If that’s truly the situation, it’s time to stop showing him any sympathy. From here on out, concentrate on making a good life for yourself and your child.”
Gradually, Leila found her peace and offered Irene a tender smile.
Leila finally caught a decent night’s sleep, the first in ages. Waking up in the cozy room, Leila felt her baby moving inside her. It all felt like she was dreaming.
She wanted to find Irene, but as soon as she got up, she overheard a conversation outside.
It was Irene on the phone. “Mr. Hayes, no need to worry, Leila’s safe. Has Landon done anything? He seems relentless, having tracked her down this fast. Okay, I won’t tell her. I doubt Landon will go too far!”
Irene hung up and turned to see Leila, pale and standing in the doorway.
Irene’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly hid her phone and forced a smile. “You’re up. How are you feeling?”
Leila shook her head, pointing at Irene’s phone, showing she’d heard everything.
She gestured urgently, asking if Landon knew she had run away and was with Brent. She was eager to know if she had caused them trouble and what Landon had done.
Seeing Leila’s anxiety, Irene rushed to calm her down. “Hey, calm down. Look, it’s true Landon knows you left, but the situation is not as bad as you think. He’s just talking to Mr. Hayes right now and hasn’t made any moves. Mr. Hayes has gathered solid evidence of how the Kensington family treated you, including the forced abortion attempt. With all this dirt, even if Landon refuses a divorce, you can still take it to court. If he tries anything crazy, public opinion will rip him apart.”
Leila felt touched by their efforts, but a pang of sadness hit her. She genuinely never wanted things to go this south with Landon. Their marriage had been a screw-up from day one, and she felt she’d kept Landon from Sarah all these years. If he hated her now, she couldn’t blame him.
Leila hesitated and then suggested that when push came to shove, she’d like to talk to Landon before taking it to court.
Irene was exasperated. “After all the mess he’s put you through, you still have hope for him?”
Leila shook her head, pointing at her belly. She indicated she didn’t want the baby to grow up aware of these conflicts, knowing its parents didn’t love each other. That would be too sad for the child.
Irene’s lips quivered as she gazed at Leila with pity and sympathy.
Elsewhere, Landon threw his phone aside in anger. His handsome face was icy, radiating fury.
Edgar, observing nearby, knew things were far from resolved. “Mr. Kensington, it seems the Hayes family has overstepped their bounds, but they probably respected Leila’s wishes. Maybe you should talk to her and understand why she left.”
Landon rubbed his forehead, trying to calm down. He paced to the window and lit a cigarette.
Landon leaned against the table, veins on his forearm bulging, showing his anger. “If she doesn’t want to return, why should I bother asking why she left? I care about her, but she doesn’t see it.”
Landon sighed heavily and chuckled bitterly. “Did you see the Hayes family? They treated me like I did something awful. Leila hates me. Funny, isn’t it?”
Edgar sighed inwardly.
Landon continued, “No point talking to the Hayes family for her. Whatever she wants to do, it’s her business. She can go wherever.”
Just then, there was an urgent knock on the door.
Landon glanced at Edgar.
Edgar got the hint and opened the door.
Leila’s primary doctor stood outside.
The primary doctor spoke cautiously, “Is Mr. Kensington here? I need to speak with him. It’s important.”
Edgar flashed a polite but practiced smile. “I apologize, but Mr. Kensington isn’t feeling up to it at the moment. He doesn’t want to discuss anything about his wife. Please come back another day to schedule an appointment.”
The primary doctor shook his head urgently. “This is urgent. Please relay this message to Mr. Kensington.”
Edgar didn’t reply. Instead, he signaled to the bodyguards stationed outside the door.
The bodyguards got the message right away. They flanked the primary doctor, giving him intimidating looks.
The message was clear. It was evident that if the primary doctor didn’t depart promptly, they would forcibly escort him out.
The primary doctor grew anxious and shouted to Landon inside, “Mr. Kensington, I must inform you, your wife is pregnant!”