His Destructive, Toxic Love

'Marriage? What a joke!' Eliza thought.

"Casper, stop it. Maybe I should get the food," Nova said, leaning on her cane. She tried to move before Casper pulled her back. "Leave her be."

His cold gaze returned to Eliza. "I might accept the food, but only if you stand there for two hours."

A pang of bitterness crept into Eliza's heart. She lifted her defiant little face. "I hope you keep your word, Mr. Casper."

Turning his head, Casper walked inside with Nova, the heavy door shutting behind them with a thud. Eliza held the food and stood alone in the pouring rain. The wind lifted her raincoat, allowing the rain to soak through. She was chilled to the bone.

Chelsea called, "Elle, why aren't you at home?"

"I'm making a delivery."

"It's pouring. What if you slip? Stop making deliveries and just come back home," Chelsea's voice was full of concern.

Eliza smiled faintly. "Chelsea, this delivery pays two thousand dollars."

"Just for..." Chelsea's disbelief was mixed with concern. "...then be safe. Come back after this one and call it a day."

"Yeah, I'm alright."

On the second-floor balcony, Casper's cigarette burned at his fingertips. He hadn't taken a single puff and just let it burn out. He flicked it into the elegant ashtray.

"Casper, my birthday party is about to start. Aren't you coming down?" Nova asked cautiously.

Casper didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the slender figure in the rain. Nova also looked down. Eliza was still standing there. Nearly two hours had gone by, and she hadn't moved an inch. "Casper, I'll have someone retrieve the food."

"I'll go."

The villa's wooden door opened again, and Casper, with a black umbrella, elegantly descended the steps. Eliza stared at him with desperation, trembling from the cold.

"Can you take the food now?"All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

"You're bending over backward for two thousand dollars?"

He was only a step away, his tone mocking, with the air of a superior. The rain between them separated their worlds.

"Well, thank you for that..." she said.

If he hadn't sabotaged her at every turn, she'd probably be in a spacious classroom now, teaching kids how to draw early autumn rain. He chuckled, his shoulders relaxing as if he'd heard a ridiculous joke. "If you can't stand the hardship, come back and be Mrs. Welton. All will be forgiven."

She shook her head, quietly staring at him. The color drained from her face.

"Please, take the food." She extended the meal box toward him.

Casper didn't take it but turned and walked back inside. "It seems you still haven't come to your senses."

"Casper, you don't keep your word." Her voice was hoarse, her fingertips trembling.

She would throw the food in Casper's face if she had the courage. But she couldn't afford it. She couldn't afford to lose the two thousand dollars for the delivery, let alone pay for the twenty thousand dollars worth of meals.

He didn't respond. The door quickly shut once more. Eliza turned around in despair, her head drooping.

"Hey, delivery girl, bring the food inside," someone called out.

Eliza turned, surprised, to see a man in a chef's outfit waving at her. "I'm talking to you. Come on in."