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.

tone, she was overjoyed and relieved to hear that.

to eat well if you leave her." He took out the cigarette and crushed it

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

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

back tears as she replied, "I'm sorry. Mr. Landon,

standing lamp while wearing matching couple pajamas with Lauren. Unlike Jasper, he was not a workaholic. He was simply trying to make himself sleepy as

a sudden, Lauren kicked off the blanket in her dreams and started contorting as though she was pinned down. She let out muffled, panicked screams, "I'm an idiot! I'm stupid! Please

Eyes wavering in shock, Landon hurried over and sat by the bed. Then, he scooped her into his arms, knowing that she had a nightmare. "Calm down. I'm here with you.

me!

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

heavily. By that time, she was

bullied you? Tell me who they are." A murderous look crept into his eyes. He sounded stubborn

have had nightmares if not

had protected Lauren well. Besides, Angelina stuck by Lauren's side on campus. Who could have bullied

I am having nightmares because I was still in shock at what happened in

the main bully was Landon's own sister. She refused