Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

The night was silent and cold, and a chilling breeze suddenly swept across Jonah's face. Judas.

That was a name he had not heard in ages. It echoed from a bloody, misty place far away, igniting a storm of turmoil in his chest. The voice that carried it felt vaguely familiar, but he couldn't place it immediately. "Who are you? Are you an ex-Cloudtop member?" Jonah turned away from Alyssa immediately and lowered his voice as much as he could.

"Jonah..." In an instant, Alyssa sensed something was wrong when she noticed the shift in his expression.

"Judas, high status really does make one forgetful, doesn't it?" Uri's icy, sinister voice pierced through Jonah's thoughts like a venomous snake. "It seems that the ever noble Judas has eyes only for Blake." "You're... Uri Holland?"

An uncertainty clawed at Jonah, and a sharp pain shot through his heart. The night closed in around him like a crushing, mottled wall. Blake his hidden ex-lover-haunted him still, a scar he dared not revisit. Panic surged within him, sensing something was amiss-Uri's unexpected call and Julien's tardiness.

A wave of dread washed over him as he feared the worst had happened.

Uri chuckled coldly. "Judas, sorry to intrude on your romance with him."

"You're with Julien? What are you trying to do?" Jonah clenched his fists so tightly that his veins were bulging.

"I wanted Dr. Lovelace to see your true colors." Uri's laughter dripped with hatred. "Blake died unjustly because of you. I can't bear to see such a nice man like Dr. Lovelace falling for your despicable lies again.

"After all, seeing Dr. Lovelace reminds me of my younger brother who died so tragically. I just couldn't help but feel an urge to save him from the fiery pit."

Jonah's eyes became bloodshot. He snapped, "Uri Holland! I know that you've hated me all these years. But just come at me if you have any grievances. Don't hurt Julien!"

Uri clicked his tongue. "He's just a substitute to you. You're pretending your love for him is as deep as the sea. Don't you think it's ridiculous that you're putting on such an act in front of me?"

Jonah couldn't bear to hear such cruel words. He roared, "No... He's not a substitute. He's not!"

Alyssa and Sean were just at the door. Naturally, they heard his every word.

Sean was perplexed, but Alyssa, who knew about Jonah's past, had a sudden realization. She felt a chill wash over her.

Uri stopped laughing and bellowed,

"If he's not a substitute, what was Blake to you then? You once said you would die with him. What's going on now? Have you forgotten him now that you have a new lover? Your so-called 'love' is worthless! The biggest mistake Blake ever made was to fucking fall in love with you!"

"That's enough!" A primal rage consumed Jonah, causing his body to shake uncontrollably as if a beast had been unleashed within him.

His bloodlust surged. "If you dare to call Julien a 'substitute' again, I will kill you!"

"Come and try. Since Blake's death, every day has been unbearably dull." With malice, he added, "Dr. Lovelace is at the villa in Solana City where you and Blake used to live. Hurry, Judas. I'm sure you'll have an unforgettable 32nd birthday."

With that, Uri ended the call.

Snow fell that night, bringing a sharp chill. Yet Jonah didn't stop to grab a jacket. He dashed from the villa, leaped into his black sports car, and sped away from the courtyard in a flash.

"Mr. Jonah!" Sean shouted, alarmed.

Alyssa's heart sank. "Something might have happened to Jul. Let's follow Jonah, quick!"

...

Jonah ran through all the red lights, the engine's roar shattering the night's silence. He gripped the steering wheel, knuckles turning white as he frantically called Julien.

At first, his calls went through, but Julien's phone was off by the third attempt.

"Julien... Julien... Don't scare me!" Jonah gasped, cold sweat beading on his forehead, suffocating fear rising within him.

Every brutal image flashed through his mind, and he felt like he might crumble under the weight of it all.