Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Landon's back bowed lower and lower as waves of emotions flooded over him—emotions he had suppressed for so long now released all at once.

Lauren's eyes welled with tears as she reached out, her trembling hand finding its way to Landon's haggard face. With a gentle touch, she traced his features, pausing at his graying sideburns.

"I... I've become uglier, haven't I?" Landon placed his calloused hand on the back of her hand. He gently nuzzled against her hand and tried his best to smile. "I'm not as handsome as before. Lauren, does that make you hate me?"

Lauren's heart ached, her attempts at speech nearly faltering. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears, her gaze flickering with emotion.

Alyssa, her heart tender, could no longer contain her emotions. Tears streamed silently down her cheeks.

Newton couldn't bear to watch any longer. He dragged Javier out of the room with him. Jasper and Alyssa followed them out of the room, giving Landon and Lauren some space to be together.

much they

held onto Lauren's hands tightly. His breathing was heavy, and his tears continued to fall onto

needed to express how

her finger, she began to trace letters on

with the pain of losing someone dear to him. His lips turned downward as he struggled to

simple woman. She didn't see through his white lie. She nodded earnestly and weakly flashed a

consciousness and Newton was on the mend, preparing to be discharged from the hospital. As Ben tidied up the ward, Newton took the opportunity

won't beat around the bush," Newton began, his expression serious as he took a sip of tea. "Cornelius has passed away, Preston and Zoe have faced consequences for their actions, and Penelope

by thoughts he struggled to

really sacrificed too much. Jasper and Alice told me about the personal bodyguard who