Can’t Win Me Back

Julien was gradually losing his patience.

He glanced at his watch before snapping, "If you've got something to say, spit it out.

I'm not wasting more time here." "Do you like watching movies, Dr.

Lovelace?" Uri disregarded Julien's growing frustration and chuckled slyly.

"I know Jonah does.

I've got a film he'll find quite special." As soon as he finished, the large screen came to life, casting a glow on Julien's confused face.

The surround sound system produced amorous-sounding laughter, making it an immersive experience.

Julien recognized Jonah's voice quickly.

But the other one—the warm, crisp, pleasant voice—belonged to a stranger.

"Jonah, do you love me?" the man in the video asked gleefully.

"T do." Jonah's deep, raspy voice quivered slightly with emotion.

"I love you.

Very much.

I'll love you forever.” Jonah was typically so composed and restrained.

raw passion in his

"What if...

voice was gentle though laced with an undercurrent of

his voice grew thick with emotion." Don't say that! If you die, I'll die

I don't want that.

want you

a rush of heat in his chest, as though all the blood in his body

beat, it

trembling hands gripped the couch, the white roses he held barely

Jonah and a striking man, their heads leaning

reddened, his gaze locked on

yet Julien knew with painful clarity that it wasn't him Jonah was

slipped from his grasp, scattering across

looked like any couple deeply in love, and Julien was just a

shot by Jonah using a handheld camera and documenting their

evenings on the balcony, clinked glasses, and laughed as

every frame, that man was

had lived through

memories, once so sweet, were

purgatory, a place

"Dr.

he?" Uri's voice was hoarse, and his eyes glistened with

"Let me introduce him.