Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

It had only been a few days since Alyssa last saw Jameson, yet he was no longer the refined, wealthy, and confident man she once knew. The air of leadership that used to radiate from him was gone.

Now, the Jameson sitting across from her looked pale and worn out. His usually immaculate hair was slightly tousled, and his sharp eyes were now bloodshot.

The once proud fourth son of the Schmidt family had fallen-reduced to a mere, lowly prisoner.

Still, when he heard Alyssa was visiting, he made an excuse to go to the washroom. Splashing water on his face, he quickly combed his disheveled hair. His pride had been shattered years ago when he first went to Kontina, but he still wanted to appear somewhat presentable for her.

Jameson's pride had vanished in that first year. From then on, the fourth son of the Schmidt family ceased to exist. All that remained was a man consumed by hatred and evil, stepping over the dead to claw his way to the top.

He cleaned himself up only for Alyssa. Yes, he still loved her. But he had long accepted that he was never worthy of her from the start. Forcing things had only caused pain.

Their eyes met through the thick glass. Jameson studied her silently, saying nothing for a long time. In the end, it was Alyssa who broke the silence, her voice flat as she noticed the bruise on his lip and the cut on his forehead. "You got beaten up?" she asked indifferently.

Jameson blinked, his puffy eyes tired. He curled his pale lips into a faint smile. "I'm not exactly liked here. I'm vicious, merciless... the worst of the worst. I expected this."

"You're a good fighter. I didn't think you'd end up being beaten up."

"Don't you think I deserve it?" His grin was twisted, but there was a painful honesty in his words. "Lyse, you might not believe me, but these last few days have been the most peaceful I've had in over a decade.

"I used to have everything, or at least it seemed that way. But every night, I was haunted by nightmares. And every morning, all I thought about was how to fight, how to get revenge for my mother. Now, I'm finally at the end."

He placed his gold-framed glasses, which had been a part of him for years, on the table. "Honestly, I don't even need these. My vision's not that bad. I wore them because they made me feel like I had a mask on. But now, I don't need it anymore." Alyssa looked down slightly. "Someone like you, I thought you would have taken your own life before getting arrested."

"But isn't it your wish for me to plead guilty and be punished?" Jameson smiled. "I wanted to make your wish come true."

His tone was gentle, as though he was still trying to woo her. But no matter how deep his feelings ran, they couldn't erase Alyssa's pain or the hatred she felt.

"You've lost weight, Lyse." Jameson's eyes were filled with tears as he gazed at her, committing her face to memory. He wanted this moment to stay with him forever, even in death.

"I'm here to ask what you gave

Jasper." Alyssa took a deep breath, struggling to keep her emotions in check. "know it's pointless to ask. You hate him. I don't expect you to feel guilt, but if you refuse to answer, then this will be our last meeting."

"I don't know," Jameson replied, meeting her gaze with an unusual honesty. "Lyse, I really don't know. It was Sir who gave me the

medication. I have no idea what's in it of what its effects are."

Sir. It was always Sir!

Alyssa leaned forward, her voice

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strained with desperation. "This 'Sir' you talk about is the mastermind backing you up from behind the scenes isn't it? He is the one using you to conduct the human drug experiments in Solana City, right?"

Jameson widened his eyes. Slowly, he nodded.

"Sir... Who in the world is he? Have you met him before?"

"Lyse, I don't care if you hate me or what else you might think about me. But this is all I can share with you about Sir."

Jameson wasn't dreaming of being able to see daylight once again.

It was just that he was well aware of what would await her and the entire Taylor family once she found out about Justin's true identity.

Sir was a heartless madman. His gentleness, elegance, and charm were all a façade.