Zoe stood there, utterly shocked. Her face darkened, and it was as if a bolt of lightning had struck her.


    She stumbled over her words, asking, “Landon, what are you saying? Do you no longer see me as your


    sister?”


    Landon ignored her questions. Instead, he focused on Lauren, who was now in his arms.


    He gently massaged her trembling back and reassured her, “There’s nothing to be afraid of, Lauren. I’m


    here now. No one will hurt you.”


    Yet Lauren was no longer as at ease as before. She had put up a guard against him, her rapid


    breathing


    reflecting her aversion.


    She stated, “No. You’re Zoe’s brother, not mine…”


    She weakly pushed against his solid chest with her arms. Each shove felt like a dagger in his heart.


    She pleaded, “Let me go! I’m going home to Grandpa. I want to go home!”


    “Lauren, be good.” Anger colored Landon’s eyes as he stubbornly soothed her.


    “Let go of me!” Lauren cried out, but Landon refused to release his grip on her, tightening his embrace


    instead.


    Landon’srge, calloused hand gripped her waist so tightly through the fabric that her skin reddened.


    You’re right.


    Then, he leaned in and whispered into her ear, “You’re right. I’m not your brother. I’m your man, Lauren


    Beckett.”


    Hearing that, Zoe’s eyes widened. She witnessed her brother showering Lauren with love-the woman


    whom she had bullied since she had been young.


    It felt like her heart was empty and her soul had been crushed. The pain was unbearable, far worse


    than


    when she had learned about Jasper’s feelings for Alyssa.


    Landon was the most important man in her life. She had always believed that she could get away with


    anything thanks to his protection.


    At that moment, she felt she was on the verge of losing her brother’s love. It seemed that he would give


    everything to Lauren.


    “My… man?” Lauren looked up at him through tears, her innocence only intensifying his pain.


    “Yes. I’m yours,” he confessed hoarsely, his eyes filled with passion.


    Zoe felt her perfect life shattering and copsing, while Angelina smiled in a corner, happy to have


    witnessed Landon’s heartfelt confession to Lauren.


    Zoe’s beating had triggered Lauren’s old trauma. Overwhelmed, she cried until she fainted in Landon’s


    arms.


    He carried her back to her room and tenderly wiped away her sweat and tears with a clean towel


    before


    tucking her in.


    “Mm…” Lauren rolled over with a frown, which only hurt Landon more. He turned white as he wrestl


    with the anger and guilt.


    ‘I’m so sorry, Lauren. I failed to protect you. It’s all my fault,” he whispered.


    Angelina discreetly opened the door and stood there quietly, fearing she might intrude on their moment.


    “Go ahead,” Landon said, his touch still gentle on Lauren’s face, though his eyes were icy.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    “I’ve downloaded the surveince footage you requested,” Angelina informed him, handing him a


    phone.


    Landon had only made it home so fast thanks to the numerous surveince cameras he had installed


    at


    home due to his feelings of insecurity


    The cameras would capture every corner of the ce, and he could monitor the vi from anywhere


    through his phone.


    He coldly stared at the screen, watching how Zoe had forced her way into the vi, subdued Marie, and


    then assaulted Lauren.


    He sank into a brief silence. Angelina began, “Mr. Landon, so


    She suddenly felt a pain in her wrist. Landon had pped the phone out of her hand in a fit of anger.