Can’t Win Me Back

"Don't say that. You've done really well so far!" Xavier said gently, his voice a steady anchor as he tried to comfort Julien.

He continued, "Many people spend their whole lives unable to quit even common drugs. The substance Mr. Beckett took is far more potent. The fact that he's found any relief at all is remarkable."

Jasper's senses gradually returned, but he was left drained, and his eyes struggled to focus. "Julien.."

"I'm right here," Julien murmured, leaning in to gently wipe the tears and cold sweat from Jasper's face with a tissue.

Struggling for breath, Jasper rasped, "Keep my condition.... a secret... especially from her."

Julien didn't need to ask who he meant. It had to be Alyssa

It wasn't pride that fueled Jasper's plea. It was something deeper a desperate wish to shield Alyssa from the sight of his brokenness, to spare her the disappointment of seeing him like this.

hope you understand the fewer people who know

firmly.

Jasper forced himself upright, his body trembling under the strain. "Julien, Jonah... he's been looking for

"I'll share my acupuncture techniques and

"I won't return to Cyrris until I've developed an effective medication against the drug. Don't tell Jonah I'm at the lab in Mosgravia. I don't want to see him

and Sheryl finally reached the basement parking lot, having navigated a gauntlet

ended, the fallout

grew louder by the minute. The carefully crafted

heading straight for Sheryl.

color as they cuffed her. She cast a desperate look at Justin, her eyes pleading for

her a glance. He slid into

plummeted, a hollow