17 Heartbreaks: Silent Echoes of Love

Leila Sinclair has spent three years as Landon Kensington's silent wife. He married her because his grandfather wished it, and warned her from the start not to love him. She obeys while enduring his coldness and his family's cruelty.

On their third wedding anniversary, Leila sees a message from Aurora on Landon's phone. Aurora writes that every time they fight, he goes back to that mute just to spite her. Landon asks if Leila saw it. He asks if she cares. Leila apologizes, says she saw it by accident, and tells him to reply to Aurora. She leaves in tears. Landon notices a tie on the floor and realizes it is their anniversary.

The next morning, Leila makes him an egg sandwich and burns her hand. Landon asks why she bothers when Mrs. Green can do it. He orders her to dress for his mother Diana's birthday banquet.

At the banquet, Leila gives Diana a birthday gift. Diana tells her to find a seat and not embarrass her. A guest then hands them an invitation to a baby shower and asks if they have thought about having a baby. Leila remembers a year ago, begging Diana to let her keep the child. Diana refused, saying what if the child is a mute too, and that she is already embarrassed by Leila. Diana said a mute's child cannot be an heir to the Kensington name.

Later, Leila runs into her friend Rose Smith. They see Landon with Aurora, who wants the title of Mrs. Kensington. Aurora confronts Leila, calls her a pet, and claims Landon loves her. Rose calls Aurora a mistress. Landon arrives and orders Leila home. Rose points out that Leila is his wife, not his slave, and that Leila wants a divorce. Aurora claims her foot hurts. Landon takes Aurora to the hospital and tells Leila to find her own way home. He leaves her in the pouring rain.

At the house, Landon's order keeps Leila outside. She counts twelve times he has abandoned her. She says she can only forgive him seventeen times. She faints. Landon sends Mrs. Green to ask if Leila knows she did wrong. Mrs. Green reports that Leila has fainted. Landon carries her inside, finds she is bleeding, and tells Mrs. Green to call the doctor.

The wife who once loved him more than anything is now on the edge. The divorce papers are coming, and Landon's regret will arrive too late.