Can’t Win Me Back

Jasper remained silent.

His hands balled into tight fists at his sides, trembling ever so lightly as a dark expression settled over his face.

After amoment of silence, Justin offered a casual smile, ignoring the tension on Jasper's face as he moved past him.

"Justin, I've always respected you since I was young." Jasper's voice broke the silence, hoarse and strained, with his back turned to Justin.

“There are things I can compromise on, but some matters, I can't." Justin, his back still facing Jasper, narrowed his eyes and asked, " Such as?" "My need to see her now." A fierce determination lit Jasper's darkened eyes.

"Justin, I won't deny your feelings for her.

It's none of my business.

But you have no right to stop me from seeing her either.

"If you and Ms.

Alyssa are officially together, I'll never go near her again.

You won't even need to say a word.

I'll give you both my blessings and wish you a happy life together." As Jasper said "happy life", his throat tightened, and a bitter taste of bile rose at the back of his mouth.

Still, he continued, "But as long as she's not yours, we're equals in her eyes.

her, and

you, I'm sorry." The darkness in Justin's eyes hid any trace of emotion on

haven't let go, have you?" A lump rose in Jasper's throat,

deeper, marked by a few dry

mother, but ask yourself —how have I treated you since we were

four years his senior, a brother who had

life seemed bleak, as he was met with

the first to show him care, standing by him when the household staff mistreated

own life on the line to help Jasper

have been the one sitting in the wheelchair today, unable

can see, I'll be bound to this wheelchair for the rest

of it too, just to

I

Alyssa.

she's willing to spend time with me

all humans

own for so many years, I

myself if my life is just going to

crave the companionship

life—to get married, start a family, and have a happy and fulfilling relationship." Jasper

a

Jasper's chest tightened.

the orphanage, where Alyssa and Justin had shared a smile in the snow -covered courtyard, their eyes