Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

As Alyssa stared at the man in the photo, her heart clenched with each beat, then raced erratically.

The yellowing border indicated the photo's age.

In the image, Jonah and the man appeared intimately affectionate.

Even though the photo couldn't speak, Alyssa could tell that Jonah and he were lovers. Their affection for each other was evident in

the depth of their eyes.

Jonah's smile in the photo was so bright and warm. Even Alyssa, who had been raised by Jonah since childhood, had never seen

such a smile on his face, not even when he was with Julien.

Somehow, a murky and inexplicable emotion lodged in Alyssa's chest, causing her discomfort.

Suddenly, she heard steady footsteps outside the study.

Alyssa quickly put the Bible back in its place and slipped the photo into her pocket.

The door to the study clicked open.

saw Alyssa, a smile crept on his face. "When did you come,

you wait for

"Not too long."

face stiffened slightly as she glanced outside. "Is Jul

night, so |

affection as he

lip and took a deep breath before saying, "Jonah,

door and then returned to stand in front

What happened?”

from her pocket before handing it to

Jonah?"

drained of color. His

palpitations.

years had passed, but his heart still pounded violently when he saw

got the affirmative answer from his

trembled as he took the photo. His voice was hoarse. "You found

| like to snoop around. | often like to

his eyes were tinged with sadness, and he felt stifled.

used to be one of the most trusted and cherished people in my

Alyssa knew about