Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Watching Landon embrace Lauren, Cyrus felt a sting in his eyes and couldn't help but capture this scene on camera.
"I'm really curious, Mr. Cyrus. When did you find out?" Angelina, playing the pink rabbit, couldn't contain her curiosity for the first time.
"Perhaps it was my detective's intuition."
Cyrus didn't tell her that feelings like love were something that couldn't be hidden, no matter how hard the person tried.
The moment the dog character held Lauren in its arms as if she were a treasure, Cyrus knew that it was Landon.
"Please let Mr. Landon and Ms. Lauren stay like this a little longer. We promise not to disturb you anymore," Angelina pleaded.
"Don't worry about me. Lauren's happiness is all that matters." Cyrus was unaware that his voice was slightly choked when he spoke these words.
Even though he felt reluctant, Landon still sent Lauren back to Cyrus. He was afraid of exposing himself if he continued.
"Why are you crying?" Cyrus handed Lauren a tissue, gently asking.
"Nothing, really..." Lauren replied in a muffled voice while wiping her swollen eyes.
Cyrus knew the reason she cried. Though he was upset, he still showed her a bright smile. "You should be hungry, right? Let's go. I'll take you to eat something delicious."
The dog character gazed fixedly at the two figures growing further away before lowering its large head and stiffly walking in the opposite direction.
Angelina followed him to an empty place and took off the heavy headpiece of the costume. Sweat had caused her hair to cling to her cheeks, and she took deep breaths of fresh air to recover.
"Mr. Landon, you should take yours off too. It's too suffocating. Mr. Landon?" Angelina called him twice, but he remained facing the wall, unresponsive.
Startled, she quickly approached to remove his headpiece.
"Mr. Landon, you..." The next moment, Angelina's eyes widened in dismay.
Landon's handsome face was soaked in sweat, with hair plastered to his forehead. His chest rose and fell heavily beneath the oversized costume, and his eyes were red and swollen, struggling to stay open.
Even the headpiece had become damp, almost soaked through with sweat and
tears.
"Mr. Landon..." Angelina's heart ached, and she felt a lump in her throat. She wanted to comfort him but didn't know what to say.
Landon pressed both hands against the wall, supporting his body as if it were about to collapse from exhaustion.
Once, his beloved was within reach, but now, even approaching her seemed so difficult.
Although he had mentally prepared himself, the huge contrast made it almost unbearable for him to bear this heartache of loss.
After a while, Landon spoke, his voice hoarse, "Why did she cry..."
Angelina's breath caught. Just as she was about to speak, he answered his own question. "Did that dance remind her of our past? Does Lauren still love me?"
In the end, it turned into a question.
The once confident Landon had now lost that initial unshakable self-assurance in this relationship, which brought him both love and pain.
"I believe Madam Lauren still loves you deep down. No one can replace you," Angelina replied with a determined gaze.
With love, one can overcome all obstacles.
Landon wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes. Turning his back to Angelina, he took a deep breath before saying, "Let me spend more time with her."
After dinner, Cyrus and Lauren watched the parade.
Eventually, night fell. The eagerly anticipated fireworks show was about to begin.
Cyrus had booked the best viewing spot in advance. The two stood side by side, eagerly looking at the dark, starry sky.
Not far away, Landon and Angelina blended into the crowd. He watched Lauren's graceful figure and her thin shoulders, which he had once loved so dearly.
In Landon's eyes, she was more beautiful than all the dazzling fireworks.
Just then, the amusement park was filled with joyful music, and a beautiful arc soared into the sky like a shooting star. It unfolded into a brilliant burst of flowers against the night sky.
"Wow... Cyrus! Look!" Lauren exclaimed in surprise with widened eyes as she pointed at the sky. "It's beautiful! That one looks so nice!"
"Yes, it's beautiful." With his crush by his side, Cyrus had no interest in watching fireworks. He focused intently on her beautiful profile.
He didn't have many chances to be with her like this.
Once he had the chance, he would steal moments to gaze at her a little longer.
As the grand fireworks filled the night sky and the crowd erupted in joyful cheers, Cyrus finally couldn't contain his emotions any longer. He summoned the courage to profess to Lauren. "Lauren, I really like you. Will you be my girlfriend?"
Though his words were clear and his voice level, they were drowned out by the cheers.
The fireworks dancing in the sky were mirrored in Lauren's eyes, seemingly holding her in rapture. She remained silent for what felt like an eternity.
Cyrus' heart raced before he finally smiled resignedly.
She probably didn't hear. That was probably better.
"Cyrus, thank you for everything you've done for me, and thank you for liking
me."
Lauren slowly shifted her gaze onto his stunned face and said gently, "I hope you find someone who cherishes you above all else. You'll surely find one."
Cyrus stared at her for a moment, closing his eyes briefly to suppress the sting behind them. His voice trembled as he asked, "Do you still love him?"
Lauren smiled faintly. "Yes, I still love him."
Cyrus lowered his gaze, finally revealing a relieved smile. He then looked up to
catch the fireworks he had missed.
In fact, he had known all along.
After holding it in and torturing herself for so long, she finally said it. Cyrus
genuinely felt happy for her.
Landon's phone incessantly vibrated as the finale of the fireworks show
approached.
While staring intently at Lauren, he raised his hand to press the phone against
his ear. "Hello?"
"Landon! Landon! It's me!" a woman's voice came through, filled with fear and
panic.
Landon frowned. "Sylvia?"
"I'm being chased by Preston's men, and I can't leave Solana City! I'm at my wits'
end! Please, do me a favor... Find me a way out!"