Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

It was already late into the night when Landon got back home.

Angelina happened to be coming out from the laundry room with a basket full of clothes. She put the basket down to welcome Landon the moment she spotted him.

"Where's Lauren? Has she gone to bed?" Landon took off his suit jacket and handed it to her. He looked pumped up and ecstatic.

"She has."

Landon sighed, "I rushed all the way back..."

He was a little disappointed. However, he continued smiling brightly right after. "I'll just update her tomorrow morning, then."

Angelina blinked. "You have good news, Mr. Landon?"

"Grandpa has agreed."

Landon was bright-eyed. He was so excited that his voice was trembling. "Grandpa has agreed to me marrying Lauren!"

"Really?"

Angelina was overjoyed. Tears welled up, making her eyes glisten. "Congratulations! Your wish to marry Madam Lauren is finally coming true! There's nothing more joyous than this!"

"Mom called me when I was on my way home. She said that she could agree to accept Lauren. But only on the condition that Zoe has to be allowed to return."

Landon's gaze turned cold. He scoffed, "How could that be? Mom was such a simple person. When did she learn to bargain with others? Does she think I will not marry Lauren so long as she disapproves?"

Angelina nodded in concurrence.

The impression she had of Penelope was that important matters often eluded her. Landon was always the one holding things together after Bill's passing. If it hadn't been for Landon, Preston would have taken over the company long ago.

a few good words on my behalf. He might be

for his own benefit. You should still

under the covers. He lay next to Lauren, feeling

it, the more excited he felt. He wasn't able to fall asleep. Thus, he inched closer to Lauren quietly, closing the gap

satisfied. He placed his

up once he embraced her. He slipped his playful hand under her nightgown and

her bleary eyes. Naturally, she hugged

sorry to wake you, darling." Landon felt a little bad. Yet, he was reluctant to retract his

to do it?" Lauren had been conditioned

the waist. "It's alright. Otherwise, you won't be able

"You seem very happy."

She listened to his racing heart. "Your heart is beating really fast. Also, when I was asleep, I think I

He kissed her on the forehead. In a loving voice, he explained, "I am finally going

able to become the wife of the Harper Group's president. You are going to be acknowledged

was a sparkle in

two days. I will bring you along. I want to ask him for your hand

gaped. Her lips trembled, and

been addressing her as his "darling" every day. Even so, she only ever treated it as his pet name for her. She had

that Sophia had been sentenced to death for murder. Since then, she never dared to hope that she'd really be able to

don't

myself? You're saying

was so worried that his voice cracked. His love and passion for her burned like a fire within him. He squeezed her tightly in his arms. "No, Lauren. I'm not forcing myself. My dream is to marry you.

Lauren picked a restful day to visit

Lauren? You're here!" Rory was the first to come out and greet

have you been, Mr. Rory?" Lauren linked arms with Landon.

good. I feel even better after seeing