Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Uri pressed on, "More than that, how absurd is it that he found a ridiculous substitute like you? Did he truly think that he was so deeply in love with Blake? Was it because his love for Blake was so unforgettable that he needed someone to ease his lovesickness?"

Substitute, substitute, substitute!

The word sliced through Julien's suffocated heart like a sharp knife.

He had never dared to hope he would be the only one Jonah ever loved. But it would be enough for him to be Jonah's last. He didn't care about the past. Yet, what he couldn't bear was that it was his face-so similar to Jonah's ex-lover-that had drawn Jonah in and made him fall in love.

Uri laughed mockingly. "If I had the chance, I'd ask Judas if he was being fair to Blake by finding a new lover. I'd want to know if he was being fair to you by making you Blake's substitute."

His laughter was so hysterical that tears streamed down his face.

In an extremely sarcastic tone, he continued, "I doubt Jonah feels he made a mistake. He's an arrogant, crazed, and heartless man, willing to do anything to get what he wants. Dr. Lovelace, Judas has been scheming against you for a long time."

He had been scheming against him for a long time?

To hell with those schemes!

Julien staggered back. His moistened eyes became bloodshot. The look in his eyes dimmed as he sank heavily to his knees.

...

it was well

a quiet, private area near the center of

ingredients and

Julien's preference. He never considered himself Julien was

served the delectable dishes to the dining table, he was filled with bliss despite being covered

waited, but Julien still had yet to come home. He knew Julien was a workaholic, often losing track

his phone, wanting to

entrance and opened the door, only to find Alyssa and Sean standing there, arms laden with cake and

"Jonah, happy birthday."

smile spread across Alyssa's face. She was doing better mentally. Or, at the very least, she looked to be much better. With a smile on his face, Sean gave Jonah his wishes too.

you. Come in and have

concern quickly followed. "Lyse, you've been discharged from the

for a while now. I'm Iron Woman! Jul is at

craned her neck and playfully peered into the house, her

here to drop off your gifts. We'll leave right away. We won't third-wheel you two. Time always flies when you're having a

"Julien isn't home yet."