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.

an enduring wound in the Taylor family’s collective heart. Tears welled in

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

her eyes, inundated 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 courtyard, waving goodbye with

imagined it would be our

transformed into

heavy sadness settling upon

seemed feeble in

realization jolted her, her gaze following Cyrus’

look like Damien; he is the

paper. “But the authorities confirmed there were

“This is unbelievable.”

was slightly hoarse as he said, “Even if you didn’t see his body, the chances of surviving such a

why didn’t he reach

it just

conceal his emotions faltered, his reddened eyes betraying his inner turmoil. “Could this person be Damien’s double? How else could they resemble