Can’t Win Me Back

Jonah scoured every corner of the hotel, desperation clawing at his chest, but Julien was nowhere to be found.

"Jonah!" Alyssa called out, breathless as she caught up to him. She grabbed his arm. "Calm down! I'll help you search for Jul!"

"I can't find him. He's gone," Jonah murmured, sinking to the floor. His tears mixed with sweat, creating dark patches on the ground. "Lyse... I fear... if I can't find Julien this time, I'll lose him forever."

The agonizing thought of losing the love of his life pierced him.

"No, you won't!" Alyssa gripped his arm tighter, her voice trembling with conviction. "If Jul had given up on you, he wouldn't have come here today. The fact that he showed up means he still cares."

Jonah's eyes were bloodshot, filled with a pain too deep to hide. He shook his head slowly. "Julien came back for Jasper. He did it because he's loyal... because he's a good friend. Not because of me."

"He does care!" Alyssa insisted. "If he didn't, he would've faced you without flinching. But he didn't. He left without a word because he was avoiding you, Jonah. He just"

Jonah cut Alyssa off, finishing her sentence. "He just doesn't want to see me. Because I'm a source of nothing but pain and rage for him, isn't that it?"

bitter chuckle escaped Jonah's lips. The pain in his heart felt like a physical wound, torn

respond, Xavier approached, his

voice rough. Turning to Jonah, he hesitated before

go?" His voice was

told me

in a low voice, "Dr. Lovelace said to please stop looking for him. He doesn't want to see

harshest parts. He simply couldn't bring himself to repeat them verbatim-the actual words

words hit Jonah like a punch to the chest. He stood frozen, the world blurring

he still around?" Alyssa inquired

his

stopped short, her words dying in her throat. Just then, Landon strode angrily towards them. "Unbelievable! Jasper just left? The star of the show, gone without a word?"

breath, trying to sound casual. "Mr. Beckett said there was nothing more for him here," he stated. "He had other things to take care of and has already

seriously wrong with his head. He's

his tone. "Lyse, don't let it get to you. You know Jasper's having neurological problems. It affects his behavior. Try not to judge him too harshly. He's really not