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.

you understand the fewer people who know about Mr.

nodded firmly.

trembling under the strain. "Julien, Jonah... he's been looking for you all this time. Can you

gaze, his expression cold and resolute. "I'll share my acupuncture techniques and the medication I

his face as he continued, "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

basement parking lot, having navigated a gauntlet of reporters

livestream had ended, the fallout

louder by the minute. The

when four police officers broke through the crowd, heading straight for Sheryl. "Ms. Gillis, you are

they cuffed her. She cast a desperate look at Justin, her eyes

spare her a glance. He slid into his

the officers led Sheryl away, her heart plummeted, a hollow ache filling the space where hope