Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

"Jasper, you're back," Justin greeted with a faint smile. Even so, his grip on Alyssa only tightened, showing no sign of letting her go. His eyes gleamed with an

intense possessiveness.

Alyssa's heart skipped a beat. As she looked into Jasper's deep, distant eyes, tears welled up quietly. At that moment, she felt her entanglement with Justin was nothing short of disgraceful.

Nevertheless, having come this far with her act, she knew all her efforts would be in vain if she gave up now. So, she had no choice but to keep playing her part.

Instead of pulling away from Justin, she even curved her lips slightly in a faint smile.

"Hi, Mr. Jasper."

Mr. Jasper?

Jasper's expression darkened. His fists clenched, his eyes unreadable.

"W-What are you two up to?" he asked hoarsely.

Justin's eyes twinkled slightly as he maintained his calm, elegant smile. "I hosted a guest at Seaview Manor tonight. We happened to discuss a business partnership, so I invited Lyse over for dinner as well.

"We just finished, and I was about to send her home. If I'd known you were coming tonight, I would've asked you to join us."

"Join us?" Jasper forced a cold smirk. "If I were around, you probably wouldn't have the appetite to eat. Besides, wouldn't I have ruined the mood for you and Ms. Alyssa?"

His icy, mocking words pierced Alyssa's heart. Her gaze faltered.

"Jasper, you're much more adorable now than before. At the very least, you've developed a sense of humor."

Justin brushed past Jasper casually, still holding Alyssa by the hand. "It's getting late. I'd better send Lyse home so she can rest. We'll chat another time."

As Alyssa passed Jasper, her silky dark hair brushed lightly against his shoulder, carrying a familiar scent that lingered in the air.

lips slightly. He couldn't help turning around, only to see the frail Justin, who was always afraid of the cold, removing his wool coat and draping it gently over Alyssa's shoulders by

at Alyssa's back, waiting. Waiting for her-the woman who had always hated

lifted her alluring face toward Justin

breeze is chilly. I wouldn't want

left together, Justin's arm casually resting

He clenched his jaw so hard he could taste the tang of blood at the back of his throat as his

Manor was cloaked in silence in the dead

a home. It was more like an extravagant yet desolate palace—a

its creepy atmosphere resembling that of a horror movie set. No timid soul would dare linger here for

afraid of ghosts. He'd met people far more terrifying than any

are you

urgently. After a moment, a muffled voice came from

open and froze in shock. Empty

whiskey, and

the coffee

One even

a stop at

was dimly lit by a single floor

red wine

Beckett, what are you doing? You shouldn't be drinking like this-not in your

Frightened and frustrated, Xavier

ет

bottle from Jasper's hand. With all his strength, he helped him sit upright on

keep your

central nervous system is thrown off again and the medicine

you! Is

fine. I just wanted a