Can’t Win Me Back

“I’m sure.” Lauren nodded firmly.

In an unusual departure from his usual composure, Cyrus fixated on the portrait, his usually steady demeanor giving way to a tense stillness, his eyes tinged with red.

Concerned, Lauren approached him, noting the uncharacteristic reaction.

“Cyrus, are you alright?”

Cyrus responded hoarsely, “I’m sorry. I need to go to the restroom. Where is it?”

Jasper raised his hand, indicating the direction. Cyrus immediately left with purposeful strides.

“Lyse, do you recognize him?” Jasper hugged Alyssa by the waist and asked with anxious urgency.

Alyssa took a deep breath, striving to quell her tumultuous emotions. “He bears a striking resemblance to my late brother, Damien, who perished in a plane crash.”

Jasper and Lauren widened their eyes in disbelief.

the Taylor family’s collective heart. Tears welled in Alyssa’s eyes as she reflected on the

discussing Damien ever since his passing, especially in the presence of Mandy and Cyrus. Not out of forgetfulness, but

by memories. The ache of loss resurfaced, threatening to overwhelm her. “I can still vividly recall the day of Damien’s passing. Clad in his pilot uniform and a piece of luggage in hand, he stood in the sunlit

would be

fleeting goodbye transformed into an

grip on Alyssa tightened, a heavy sadness settling upon him like an oppressive weight, suffocating in

seemed feeble in

her, her gaze following Cyrus’ departure

portrait doesn’t only look like Damien;

the paper. “But the authorities confirmed there

“This is unbelievable.”

as he said, “Even if you didn’t

if Damien miraculously survived the crash, why didn’t he

it just be

betraying his inner turmoil. “Could this person be Damien’s double? How else could