His Destructive, Toxic Love

It was about having kids again. If it could've happened, it would've by now.

Casper felt a sudden surge of irritation. "Does she look like she's in any shape to have kids?" "Well..." There wasn't much he could do about it.

Casper seemed to be harboring some resentment. He didn't stick around long before leaving.

Eliza spent seven days alone in the hospital, with Marian regularly bringing her meals.

On the day she was discharged, she got an invite from David to attend Carter's art exhibition. Even though her mentor held exhibitions every year, she hardly ever got the chance to go.

Leaving the hospital, she hailed a cab to the event. The exhibition was bustling with people.

David was waiting for her at the entrance.

"Eliza."

He walked up to her quickly, noticing how pale she looked. The recent rumors about her and Aaron flashed through his mind. It was through those rumors that he found out she and Casper were already married.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She didn't want David to worry. "David, if you're busy, go ahead. I'll just take my time here."

"Alright, I'll go mingle with my dad's old friends and catch up with you later."

"Sure." She gave him a gentle smile.

Carter's paintings were a blend of realism and abstraction. She'd admired him since her school days, and seeing his work up close, she felt even more awestruck.

She examined each piece carefully. Stopping in front of a portrait, she paused. It was of a young girl deeply engrossed in her painting. It was titled "Reflection."

She wore a white shirt and a white hat, and her hair was tied up in a high ponytail. It felt familiar, like it mirrored a moment from her own life.

David noticed Eliza's interest in the painting and whispered something to his assistant.

"Casper, look at this painting, it's so beautiful. I really like it."

Hearing this, Eliza turned to look.

Casper was standing not far from her, pushing Nova in a wheelchair.

Eliza glanced coolly at the couple. Her husband, who didn't want a divorce, always seemed to save his tenderness and patience for Nova. Maybe Eliza would've been angry or jealous before, but without love, her heart couldn't muster a single ripple.

Eliza turned to check other paintings.

Nova noticed Casper's eyes following Eliza and gently tugged at his sleeve. "Casper, I'm feeling a bit unwell. Could you take me home?" Without a word, Casper pushed the wheelchair and left with her.

Ten minutes later, he returned to the e exhibition. He approached the sales representative and pointed to painting titled "Reflection," "I want to buy that painting." Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

"I'm sorry, sir, but Mr. David had that painting withdrawn."

Withdrawn?

Did that mean it was no longer for sale, or had it been sold?

Just then, David's assistant, carrying the packaged painting, approached Eliza. "Ms. Eliza, this is the painting Mr. David wanted you to have. Please accept it as a gift."

"A painting?" Eliza was a bit puzzled.

The assistant explained with a smile, "It's the painting called 'Reflection.""

Eliza realized that David noticed her liking for the painting. "Please thank Mr. David for me, but I insist on paying for it."

"Mr. David said if you insist on paying, the painting would lose its significance."

"Alright then."

Just as Eliza reached out to take the painting, someone intercepted it. "Looks like this painting hasn't been sold yet. I'll take it."

Eliza didn't understand why Casper would want to buy the painting. Was it because Nova liked it?

"I'm sorry, but Mr. David has already gifted this painting to Ms. Eliza," the assistant said politely.

Casper didn't seem to care. His gaze

shifted to Eliza. "This painting holds specialmeaning to someone else. I hope you wouldn't take away something they love."