Chapter 617

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's l