Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue novel Chapter 2000

Jonah's pupils contracted sharply. His eyes rimmed with red from anguish.

He had thought that those painful memories had gradually been buried with his self-restraint and the passage of time. Even after he officially got together with Julien, he hadn't touched any of the items he had treasured about that person.

But when Alyssa angrily accused him and demanded that he burn the photo to show loyalty to Julien, his heart was wracked with pain, as if she were asking him to burn his own body.

Alyssa stared at Jonah with frustration. His sorrowful and pained expression said it all. He couldn't bear to do it. He still had lingering affection for his ex.

Even though that person had been dead for many years, he still held a significant place in Jonah's heart. It was profound enough to stir Jonah, who was typically calm and composed.

"Lyse... I haven't touched these things since Julien and I got together. I've let go of him. I really have."

Jonah's eyes were bloodshot. He was almost pleading as he said, "Please, don't make me do this. He was my savior..."

"But you love him. The so-called savior is just an excuse for you to keep him in your heart."

Alyssa shook her head in disbelief. "If Jasper and I were together because I resembled his ex, I wouldn't be able to accept it even if he fell in love with me later. I can handle his indifference when he doesn't love me, but I can't tolerate having someone else's shadow loom over our relationship.

"That's not pure love and too unfair for the person being treated as a substitute. It feels like fake love, and I can't accept it. I only asked you to burn the photo, yet you're in so much pain. But Jonah, have you ever considered how much it would hurt Jul if he knew you were still in pain over your ex?

"He's well and alive in front of you, yet he can't replace someone who's been gone for so many years. How can he, such a proud person, endure such a blow?"

Each of her words was like a dagger, piercing Jonah's already faltering soul.

"Fine... I'll do it." Jonah lowered his eyelids and looked deeply at the man in the photo. "I'll burn it, and I won't think of him again."

Alyssa sighed.

Actually, it was better that the problem was discovered earlier.

There must be more things Jonah had collected about that person besides this photo. Since she could find it, Julien, who was always by Jonah's side, would sooner or later discover them too.