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, âLandon, what are you saying? Do you no longer see me as your sister?â
Landon ignored her questions. Instead, he focused on Lauren, who was now in his arms.
He gently massaged her trembling back and reassured her, âThereâs nothing to be afraid of, Lauren. Iâm here now. No one will hurt you.â
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, âNo. Youâre Zoeâs brother, not mineâ¦â
She weakly pushed against his solid chest with her arms. Each shove felt like a dagger in his heart.
She pleaded, âLet me go! Iâm going home to Grandpa. I want to go home!â
âLauren, be good.â Anger colored Landonâs eyes as he stubbornly soothed her.
âLet go of me!â Lauren cried out, but Landon refused to release his grip on her, tightening his embrace instead.
Landonâs large, calloused hand gripped her waist so tightly through the fabric that her skin reddened.
Youâre right.
Then, he leaned in and whispered into her ear, âYouâre right. Iâm not your brother. Iâm your man, Lauren Beckett.â
Hearing that, Zoeâs 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 Jasperâs 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 brotherâs love. It seemed that he would give everything to Lauren.
âMy⦠man?â Lauren looked up at him through tears, her innocence only intensifying his pain.
âYes. Iâm yours,â he confessed hoarsely, his eyes filled with passion.
Zoe felt her perfect life shattering and collapsing, while Angelina smiled in a corner, happy to have witnessed Landonâs heartfelt confession to Lauren.
Zoeâs beating had triggered Laurenâs old trauma. Overwhelmed, she cried until she fainted in Landonâs arms.
He carried her back to her room and tenderly wiped away her sweat and tears with a clean towel before tucking her in.
âMmâ¦â Lauren rolled over with a frown, which only hurt Landon more. He turned white as he wrestl with the anger and guilt.
âIâm so sorry, Lauren. I failed to protect you. Itâs all my fault,â he whispered.
Angelina discreetly opened the door and stood there quietly, fearing she might intrude on their moment.
âGo ahead,â Landon said, his touch still gentle on Laurenâs face, though his eyes were icy.
âIâve downloaded the surveillance footage you requested,â Angelina informed him, handing him a phone.
Landon had only made it home so fast thanks to the numerous surveillance cameras he had installed at home due to his feelings of insecurity The cameras would capture every corner of the place, and he could monitor the villa from anywhere through his phone.
He coldly stared at the screen, watching how Zoe had forced her way into the villa, subdued Marie, and then assaulted Lauren.
He sank into a brief silence. Angelina began, âMr. Landon, so She suddenly felt a pain in her wrist. Landon had slapped the phone out of her hand in a fit of anger.