His Destructive, Toxic Love

Repaying a debt was a whole different ballgame.

Eliza could tell good from bad.

"Casper, saving my son doesn't make you a saint. You might be just like Aaron, with some hidden agenda."Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

She wasn't about to trust anyone again. Not even Casper.

He let out a dry, sarcastic laugh. Even though he'd saved her son, she still saw him as a dark and twisted villain. No matter how many times he played the hero, it wouldn't change a thing.

He should've known better than to hope that she'd see him differently or that she'd look at him with any warmth.

He realized now that she wasn't going to be kind or friendly towards him. In his world, such hopes were just a luxury.

Inside, he felt a sense of helplessness, and it wasn't just anger. It was more like a deep, gnawing sadness.

"Yeah, I have hidden motives. I'm a bad guy, a real piece of work, okay?"

He didn't even bother changing his shoes before heading upstairs.

An odd mix of emotions churned inside Eliza. She realized her words might have been harsh, cutting deep, but that was just how she felt.

If someone as seemingly noble as Aaron could turn dark, how could Casper, already a villain, ever become a good guy?

Still, she needed to figure out why Aaron was targeting her baby.

Eliza thought of someone.

Caroline.

She knew Caroline had been closer to Aaron than Casper ever was. Maybe she could get some answers from Caroline.

Eliza picked a Friday afternoon for tea, and went to Welton International.

After three years apart, this was their first meeting.

Caroline stared at Eliza, unable to snap out of her daze. Her eyes welled up, trying to force a smile that ended up looking awkward and ugly. Eliza broke the silence. "Hey."

"Eliza?" Caroline hugged her tightly. "You're alive, that's amazing news."

"I'm doing okay."

Caroline took Eliza's hand, and they sat down. She was dying to know how Eliza had been these past few years.

Eliza told her everything, even that Brock was Casper's child.

"Does he... know he's a father now?"

Eliza guessed he probably didn't. "I haven't told him, and I don't plan to."

"He'll find out eventually." But as his sister, Caroline wasn't sure if Casper would try to take Brock away. "Have you thought about what happens if The finds out and wants to take Brock away?"

Eliza smirked, doubting it would happen. "He does not love me, so do you think he would love Brock? He has plenty of chances to marry someone he loves and have a child

with her. He won't care about this

one."

BUMS

It seemed to make sense, but Caroline felt uneasy hearing it. After all, the child was part of the Welton family. The Welton family had a duty to care for and raise him.

Caroline took out a card, handing it to Eliza. "Here's some money; consider it a gift for my nephew."

"I have money. You should take this card back." Eliza wasn't here for money; she had bigger concerns. "I came today to ask about Aaron."

Caroline had heard some rumors about Eliza and Aaron. When Eliza brought him up, Caroline's first thought naturally went to their relationship. "Have you and Aaron... made it official?"

"No, what I wanted to ask was..."

Eliza briefly recounted the incident a few days ago when Brock almost fell from the building. "I really can't think of any reason why he'd harm my son. Did he have any issues with Casper before...?"