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.

passion in his voice was

"What if...

one day?" The man's voice was gentle though laced with an undercurrent

his voice grew thick with emotion." Don't

I don't want that.

want you to live

heat in his chest, as though all the blood in his body

every beat, it

the couch, the white roses he held barely

screen showed Jonah and a striking man, their heads leaning

eyes reddened, his gaze locked on

so much like him, yet Julien knew with painful clarity that it wasn't him Jonah was

from his

deeply in love, and Julien was

be a vlog, shot by Jonah using a handheld

evenings on the balcony, clinked glasses, and laughed as though nothing else in

frame, that man

had lived through those

the memories, once so sweet, were

like purgatory, a place where

"Dr.

you, doesn't he?" Uri's voice was hoarse, and his eyes glistened with resentment

"Let me introduce him.