Landon was finally done preparing for his wedding with Lauren at Bernardia. He had made arrangements ording to Lauren''s preferences.


    Over the past month or so, Landon wished that he could split himself into multiples of himself. He had to look after Lauren, manage Harper Group, and manage the decorations at the wedding venue-from personnel assignments, their wedding photo shoot, and the positioning of even a small pot of flowers-everything had to be vetted by him. He made sure that he was all hands-on.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    His private ne flew between Bernardia and Sna City multiple times, so much so that he used up a considerable amount of fuel.


    Jordan was worried that it would all be too tiring for Landon. He offered to go to Bernardia on his behalf to keep watch over the preparations there, but Landon refused adamantly. He would rather see to it himself.


    He didn''t care if he was jetgged or that he was losing sleep. He made sure that he went there in person to have a hand in the decorating work.


    "Why do you have to tire yourself out like that, Mr. Landon?"


    Jordan''s heart ached for Landon. Landon looked like a shadow of his former self-gaunt, eyes bloodshot and rimmed with exhaustion.


    "You can just leave these trivial matters to me. I know I''m not the brightest person, so you can''t feel at ease. But it''s too exhausting for you to go back and forth like that. How will your body cope?"


    "It''s not that I don''t trust you, Jordan. It''s also not because I don''t think you''re not doing a good enough job."


    Landon took out a new, pink-colored bunny plushie that he''d just bought. He ced it at the head of the hospital bed.


    In a gentle tone, he exined, "This is my wedding with Lauren. It is also the day that I have been dreaming of. So, I want to focus all my efforts on it and do my best to make it the perfect day. "Lauren doesn''t want to publicize the wedding or make it a grand celebration. Although this was her request, I still feel like... like I owe it to her."


    Jordan choked on his tears. "Mr. Landon..."


    Landon fixed his eyes on the pink bunny plushie. Angelina''s smile and voice suddenly came to mind, making his heart wrench.


    He shut his eyes immediately. He forced himself to take a few deep breaths to calm the waves of pain and feelings of wistfulness that surged within him.


    "I have too many regrets in this life, Jordan. From this day on, I do not wish for there to be any other regrets in my life with Lauren."


    Landon and Jordan were the only two people in the hospital ward.


    Lauren''s primary physician and


    nurse had brought her out for a body checkup. Landon took this opportunity to disy the plushies he scoured worldwide in every corner of the hospital room.


    The horrific and cruel abduction had caused severe internal injuries within Lauren''s body. ording to the doctor, she could potentially have to be hospitalized for an extended period for treatment. She would also have to be on long-term medication.


    The hospital ward was in. The white walls surrounding it were empty. The room''s conditions were so in that it might make a patient feel suffocated when living there long term. As such, Landon took it upon himself to give the room a makeover, decorating it to feel even more homey than a home.


    He even prepared canvases and drawing tools for Lauren if she ever got bored.


    However, Lauren hadn''t picked up her drawing tools or painted anything since Angelina left. On the other hand, Landon locked up Sage Manor in its entirety.


    Landon and Lauren were, in fact, mourning the loss of their loved one in their very own ways.


    Just then, the hospital room door opened. Lauren''s attending physician and nurse were bringing her back to the room.


    "Darling, you''re back!"


    There was a soft gleam in Landon''s eyes. He went up to Lauren, lowered his body, and wrapped his arms tightly around his sweetheart.


    He had his right arm around her waist and his left hand on the back of her head. An embrace of such a posture was evidence of their passion, giving them a sense of security.


    He was just like a sturdy oyster shell protecting the precious pearl within it.


    "Ahh..." Lauren snuggled in his arms. Her soft voice tugged at his heartstrings.


    They had been apart for only four days. Yet, their deep yearning for one another made those few days extremely difficult.


    Lauren''s primary physician, Robbie Hill, looked at Landon conflictedly. "Mr. Harper, could you please step out for a moment? I''d like to have a chat with you."


    They moved to the hospital''s lounge.