Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

That night, moonlight cast a silvery glow on the ground while the night breeze rustled the trees outside the window.

Closing his eyes, Jonah clutched a cross in his hands, devoutly praying in front of the statue of God.

Since the passing of his former beloved, he had day after day sought self-redemption through prayer, repenting for the sins he had committed.

Countless times in the past, it had all been for him.

But now, standing once again before the statue of God, Jonah found himself unable to discern his own feelings. He felt lost and adrift.

He breathed out a long sigh. Just as he turned away, the doors of the church were suddenly pushed open.

A chilly wind rushed in, dispersing the sorrow between his brows.

The next moment, that slender and graceful figure with fox-like eyes tore through the desolation and caught his gaze.

Jonah...

Julien's slender figure stood alone in the center of the doorway. His eyes were brimming with tears. "You've come looking for me... Why didn't you wait for me? Would it have killed you to wait a little longer?"

Jonah's heart wrenched. His entire body froze, and the emotions in his bloodshot eyes surged uncontrollably.

"Jackass... Don't you know... how hard it was for me to find you?"

Julien tried so hard to suppress his emotions that he was trembling all over. But he finally broke down in tears upon seeing his beloved.

anyone from the Taylor family or even Aunt Mandy... I

almost to the point of losing his voice. "But... what I'm afraid of even more is never

times had he said

Lovelace family, who had just

had caused him to

feud between the Taylor and

ambivalence toward him or the ruthlessness he showed in extinguishing the rekindled

Julien's tear-streaked face. His heart throbbed painfully as if it were being

I'm afraid that the moment I watched you walk away from my house that night might be the last

was a tearful mess, seemingly wanting to shed all the tears of his life. "But I can't let that happen. I want to be with you. I want to be with you forever. I love you, Jonah... I

Jonah's throat felt dry as he spoke. His words were stiff as if speaking for the first time. "This is a church. Please refrain from saying such words against the

a God, then let him punish me! Let him condemn

two staggering steps forward, poking his chest forcefully. "It's hurting so much here... I don't care about the Lovelace family. I don't care about the punishment

it hit me! If the heavens fall, I'll hold it up for you. If we're going to hell, I'll accompany you there.

ran out of strength, his eyes closing as his body

any pain. It was replaced by a warm

hug for which he had

hand rested on Julien's waist. "You're running a fever?" When

"I'm fine."

too much pain. He was too weak to lift his arms. "Seeing

tightly. "Don't be silly! You have a high fever. You have to go