Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Landon trudged back to the living room while looking dispirited. Angelina happened to descend the stairs after having coaxed Lauren to sleep.

When Landon lifted his gaze, he accidentally met her eyes, causing her to hang her head fearfully.

"Stop lowering your head. You're about to bury your head in the sand. What are you, an ostrich?" Frowning impatiently, Landon sat on the couch and put a cigarette between his lips. However, he hesitated to light it when he recalled Lauren hated the smell of cigarette smoke.

Angelina did not look up. She had always carried herself with arrogance and aloofness in public, a stark contrast to her present self—unsure, submissive, and guilty. She wanted to dig a hole and hide due to shame.

"Come here."

She strutted over to Landon. The short distance felt like it took forever.

"Is Lauren asleep?" Landon asked in a low voice.

"Yes." She stared at her feet. Her voice was shaky. "I'll pack my stuff and leave immediately. I will not be an eyesore to you."

"Just stay," he remarked icily.

she was overjoyed and relieved to hear that. "D-Did you just

won't be able to eat well if you leave her." He took out the cigarette and crushed

end of the day, he did not have the heart to treat his loyal subordinate cruelly. "So, stay and take care of Lauren. You can be clumsy at times. You've even ruined a few of her dresses in the laundry, and you aren't exactly the best when

I do not want such an incident to happen again. Otherwise, I will not

was clearly joking, but Angelina lowered her head in shame. She fought back tears as she replied, "I'm sorry. Mr. Landon, this will never happen

of the standing lamp while wearing matching couple pajamas with Lauren. Unlike Jasper, he was not

hit me^ Don't!" All of a sudden, Lauren kicked off the blanket in her dreams and started contorting as though she was pinned down. She let out muffled, panicked

Then, he scooped her into his arms, knowing that she

hit me! Don't hit

Lauren tightly, he repeatedly caressed her back, which was drenched in sweat. He questioned, "Who hit you? Lauren, tell me.

time, she was soaked in cold

who they are." A murderous look crept into his eyes.

manifest in dreams. Lauren wouldn't have had nightmares if not for something that had happened

stuck by Lauren's side on campus. Who could

head and closing her eyes. "Maybe. I am having nightmares because I was still in shock at what happened in the

the main bully was Landon's own sister. She refused to place Landon in a difficult spot,