Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

In an instant, Landon felt like he had been shot in the heart. The pain caused his sturdy body to tremble.

"Back in the Beckett family, Lauren had no sense of self, and she wasn't happy at all. Now that she's with you, she's become the woman you keep by your side, living life according to your arrangements and preferences. I don't think being too compliant is good for her."

Jasper lowered his eyes and took a sip of wine. "Take a few days apart from each other to calm down. It's a chance to think about the future of your relationship and how you want to proceed."

"Jasper... do you even hear what you're saying?"

Landon slammed his hands on the table, causing the wine in the glass decanter to ripple. His eyes were redder than the wine within.

"When you pursued Alyssa, I never once asked you to give up! Now, when I need advice, you don't help... and you even want me to give up?

"In the end, I'm just a worthless and irresponsible bastard in your eyes! You never wanted Lauren and me to be together. From the beginning, you never intended to truly entrust Lauren to me! I really regret ever being friends with you!"

those words. "Landon,

and I asked you to give up on her, could you? I'm

couldn't, could you? Losing Alyssa would kill you, wouldn't it? Well, it's the same for me. What's the fucking point

take Lauren away from me... you're killing me. Not

are different. How much can Lauren endure? Not to mention setbacks,

a son-in-law for his daughter. "She can't endure what ordinary people can,

your actions today have clearly

bucket of cold water

wrong, and he couldn't blame anyone else. Just as the tension reached its peak, a clear and loud voice rang out. "What's with all the noise in

hands on her hips. Her gaze was sharp as she looked at them from

a bit weak," Alyssa said, her complex gaze falling

he had been granted a pardon. He rushed