Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

"Landon... Landon..."
With dirt-stained hands, Zoe clutched onto the leg of Landon's pants, her eyes burning with fury and hatred. "Just because of that bitch. Just because of that bitch. How could you do this to me?
"Who does Lauren think she is? I am your biological sister! How could you do this to me? You should just go to hell!"
"That's right, you are my biological sister," Landon rasped. Tears welled in his eyes, casting an icy glare. "I've cherished you since childhood. But you repeatedly hurt me with your actions. You've torn apart my happiness to satisfy your selfish desires.
"If your actions stemmed from hatred toward me, perhaps I could have found it in my heart to forgive you, considering our familial bond. But instead, you've harmed an innocent woman. And not just anyone-she is the love of my life.
"I've given you countless chances, Zoe. Each time, I held onto hope that you would change and repent. Yet, each time, you proved me wrong. Instead of remorse, I was met with further cruelty toward Lauren."
He closed his eyes, the image of Lauren fighting against her bullies haunting his mind.
If she hadn't had the energy to resist. If she hadn't given her life to fight back.
The same tragedy that had befallen Zoe could have easily happened to Lauren. Landon knew he could have lost Lauren forever.
"Landon, stop making excuses for your ingratitude and your infatuation!" Zoe panted heavily; her glare was fierce. "That stupid woman has consumed your soul! You're a madman, a pawn manipulated by her!
"The greatest regret of my life is being your sister and not ridding you of that bitch earlier. condemning you to a lifetime of sorrow and regret!"
Landon's expression remained cold as he watched Zoe's outburst. Her rage contorted her face into that of a ferocious beast.
Zoe continued, "By locking me in here. Did you think you could avenge that bitch this way? You abducted me from the police. They will find me soon! And
Grandpa. Mom. They will all find me. You're finished, Landon! You're fucking finished!"
"Grandpa is already dead." Landon, who had been calm all along, choked on his tears as he informed Zoe of this news.
Instantly, Zoe became as white as a sheet, her gaze vacant. "What did you say? Grandpa. is dead?"
Following that, she erupted into laughter, disbelief painting her features. "Landon, you're lying to me, aren't you? You would even go as far as coming up with such a lie just to get me?"
Landon's response was filled with bitterness. "Would I need to lie about
something like this? Grandpa's funeral is in two days. But you won't be there to bid him goodbye."
Zoe's pupils were constricted. She panicked. "How could that—"
"Preston killed him. He stabbed Grandpa three times."
Zoe's world crumbled around her. "No... No..."
"You chose to side with the enemy. You wanted to use Preston to come against me and Lauren. But in the end, Preston killed the one in this family who loved you the most. And Dad's death was also because of him. His helicopter crashed into the sea because Preston hired someone to tamper with it."
Zoe was utterly stupefied.
"In the past, I have given you multiple warnings to stay away from Preston. I said he might have caused Dad's death. But you sided with him. You're his accomplice."
Landon tried his best to suppress the despair of losing his loved one. He rasped, "He was cruel enough to even murder his own father. Did you think you could survive under him?
"He instigated you to kidnap Lauren. Yet, you were oblivious to the fact that he was also out to get you. He prepared a camera and live-streamed your evil deeds, exposing you on the Internet. You were just a tool he discarded after using. That's all you are."
Upon hearing that, Zoe guffawed. The look in her eyes took on a more manic edge. "I was tricked by Preston? What a joke! I'm not a tool. He is!
"Landon, I can't believe you'd stoop to anything just to guilt-trip me. Did you think that I would fall for that? You think I'll feel sorry for what I've done to you? You can't claim the moral high ground to punish me. I won't fall for it!"
Landon maintained a calm expression on his face. "I will give you one last
chance. Apologize to Lauren now. I'll be merciful."
Zoe spat back defiantly. "Dream on! You want me to yield to that bitch? Over my
dead body!"
"Jordan."
Jordan, who had been waiting outside, walked over to Landon's side. "I'm here, Mr. Landon."
"See Ms. Zoe off for the last time," instructed Landon coldly.
With that, he left without another word, his resolve unshaken.