His Destructive, Toxic Love

"Casper, Aaron and I just ran into each other. You don't need to be so harsh."

Eliza wasn't really nervous. Just embarrassed. She knew Casper had the wrong idea. She hadn't expected such a coincidence to happen today.

"Casper, Eliza and I are just―"

Aaron didn't get to finish. Casper's cold eyes darted towards him. "Just what? Aaron, are you sure you want to get involved?"

Casper stood up straight, chin lifted proudly, and looked down at the two of them. Then he reached out and grabbed Eliza's wrist. With a gentle pull, she stumbled to her feet. "Casper..."

Aaron quickly got up, grabbing Casper's arm. "If anyone's at fault, it's me. Why do you always take it out on her? It's her birthday today."

"My wife should spend her birthday with me." He pulled Eliza close, gripping her shoulder tightly, whispering in her ear, "Isn't that right, Mrs. Welton?"

What could Eliza say? Casper was seething. Any more words would only bring worse retaliation.

After they left, Chelsea returned. She saw Aaron sitting there, lost in thought. "Dr. Martin?"

"Chelsea."

"Where's Eliza?" She scanned the restaurant.

"Casper took her away." Aaron rubbed his fingers nervously. "Chelsea, I'm really sorry, I just—"

Aaron wanted to explain but didn't know how. Chelsea understood his unfinished sentence. "Dr. Martin, it's not your fault. Casper would lose it no matter which man it was. He's just a lunatic."

"But he shouldn't treat Eliza like that."

Casper had done plenty he shouldn't, but in his view, he was always justified. Eliza never held any power.

At the Welton Estate, Eliza sat with the music box Aaron had given her and placed it before her. The melody of a harp was gentle and soothing, like a babbling brook. The little doll playing the harp slowly turned with the music.

"Do you like it?" Casper picked up the music box, toying with it. "You know, my childhood friend really knows how to pick gifts. Even I like it."

Eliza swallowed all the explanations she had, feeling helpless and disgusted. She didn't want to say a word. He reached out and held her delicate chin, his gaze wandering over her features. "Mrs. Welton, you really know how to lure men."

"Casper, are you done?" He didn'tBelongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

love her, so why was he acting jealous? "I say it one last time. Aaron and I don't have the sordid affair you imagine. Today, I met Chelsea at the restaurant, and Aaron showed up later, just like you did."

She hadn't wanted to explain. But not explaining made him think she was guilty.

"Do you think I'd believe that?"

Eliza laughed fightly, her eyes filled with despair. "Why would you believe me? If you did, you wouldn't think was responsible for the fire at the Henderson Estate. Casper, neither of us trusts the other, and that's actually quite alright."

She smiled, but her lips were incredibly bitter. He was purely tormenting her for the sake of it. There wasn't any other genuine

reason for his behavior; he coulmet

come and go as he pleased. But he specifically chose her birthday. It had been years since she last celebrated her birthday. She had thought... Never mind.

"Are you upset?" He sneered, lips curling in mockery. "If I hadn't shown up, would you be feeding Dr. Martin cake right now?"