Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Landon felt touched. He gazed at Javier, gratitude evident in his eyes. Though he opened his mouth to speak, words eluded him, leaving him in a momentary silence.

Jasper, standing nearby, watched with surprise, his expression softening into a relieved smile.

"Got it, Mr. Javier. I'll see to it right away!" Rory answered with a smile.

Rory was about to leave when Landon stopped him. "There is no need to trouble yourselves. I still have a lot of work to do. Thank you for your kind thought, Mr. Javier."

Upon hearing that, Javier decided not to impose. He nodded slightly and offered a quiet piece of advice. "Much has happened in your family recently. It must be an immense burden to bear alone. But don't forget to take care of yourself too. Lauren is my only daughter. If you crumble, so will her world."

Days of exhaustion and helplessness weighed heavily on Landon. His body bore the scars of reality's harshness. At this moment, he was filled with a sense of warmth that he hadn't felt in a while.

His chest tightened with emotion as he met Javier's gaze. In a voice roughened by fatigue but filled with determination, he affirmed, "For Lauren's sake, I will endure, no matter how arduous the path. You have my word."

Jasper had his hand around Landon's shoulders as they made their way to the parking lot.

"Congratulations, Landon." Jasper beamed; his smile was akin to the bright sun emerging after a storm. "It seems like Dad is more accepting of you now. After this dangerous encounter, I think he has come around and is not as repulsed by you."

face. "Thanks for trying to comfort me,

and inferiority, particularly regarding his relationship with Lauren. It

current version of Landon reminded Jasper of the time when he had desperately pursued the opportunity to watch over Alyssa. Having weathered his own storms, Jasper was determined to

reassured, firmly patting him on the shoulder. "Javier may no longer have a say in your relationship with Lauren, despite him being Lauren's father. Even so, Lauren would be happier if

the sake of his only

words, Javier is a prick. No matter how much recognition he may have for someone deep down, he would never admit it. But the way he interacted with

and Lauren have been through fire; nothing and

approaching footsteps. Both Landon and Jasper

"Mr. Axel?"

"Axel?"

parking lot as Axel approached, his black coat billowing in the wind. His clear eyes held a steely resolve. "Sorry for being late. I was

shook his head. "No

changes in Landon, his lashes fluttering slightly. He was brief with his words. "Is there anything

heart as he shook his head. "Thank you. I can manage on my