Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

As Landon entered the living hall, his eyes reddened from the emotions swelling within him. Everything appeared unchanged, as if nothing had occurred.

A gentle voice, once a source of comfort, broke the silence. "Mr. Landon, you're back."

"I'm back," he choked out. His smile, though warm, faded as he realized there would be no reply to follow.

With a heavy thud, Landon's knees buckled beneath him. He crumpled onto the floor, his once sturdy frame folding inward. Silent sobs wracked his body as he curled into a ball.

"Landon!"

"Mr. Landon!"

Jasper and Jordan rushed to his side; concern etched on their faces. But the only response was the quiet sound of wet tears hitting the ground.

head in his arms,

yourself to do it,"

as he struggled to

stubborn yet fragile form ascend the staircase, Jasper's heart constricted with

recalled a time when mentioning Angelina would always bring a flamboyant grin to Landon's face. She wasn't

the room where

with only a bed, a wardrobe, and a table. Its simplicity belied the fact that it had once been occupied by

the sanctity of the space, remained by the door as Landon gently brushed his fingertips across the desk's surface, sensing the lingering scent of Angelina on the

each luxurious evening gown, carefully preserved in plastic as if untouched by time. Tears welled in

to accompany me to every business party I needed a date for," Landon said, his voice tinged with emotion as he lifted out a chili-red