His Destructive, Toxic Love

Eliza looked him straight in the eye, unwavering. "Let's just pretend we never met. That Eliza is gone. Let's go our separate ways and wish each other well."

Wish each other well? He felt a knot tighten in his chest.

"So, you're planning to marry Aaron?"

"Is that any of your concern?"

"No, I guess not." He couldn't help but warn her, "Aaron's not exactly a stand-up guy. If you really want a fresh start, maybe you should find someone more... ordinary."

At least her life would be a bit less complicated.

"I don't need you worrying about me."

Eliza had no lingering feelings for Casper. That bubble called hope had burst completely.

After wandering around town all day, Eliza finally returned to the hotel. Her mind felt tangled with a mess of thoughts, heavy and suffocating. She called the front desk and ordered two bottles of red wine. She wasn't much of a drinker, but she needed something to wash away her sorrows.

Casper, just getting back to the hotel himself, bumped into the waiter delivering the wine.

"Sorry, sir, I didn't see you there. I hope I didn't hurt you," the waiter apologized, looking genuinely regretful.

Casper stepped back, waving it off. "No worries."

Raising an eyebrow, he asked, "Does the hotel offer room service for wine now?"

"It's for the lady in room 1701. She ordered two bottles of red."

Room 1701?

That was Eliza's room. Right next to his. Was she planning to drink her troubles away?

Dillon was already waiting for him in his suite.

"Mr. Casper, you're back," Dillon greeted him with a touch of respect.

Casper mind

of Wive a slight nod, though his

still on those two bottles

Dillon noticed his distraction

and cleared his throat. "Mr. Casper, I have something to report. Content held by NôvelDrama.Org.

Casper snapped back to attention. "Go ahead."

"Based on my investigation, Aaron was in Crescent Creek before we arrived. I think our previous suspicions were right."

Casper merely hummed in response, not showing much interest.

"Mr. Casper, I think you should tell your wife about this."

Casper waved it off. "She already told me."

"Told you what?" Dillon asked, confused.

"She said she wants us to part ways and leave each other alone."

Dillon was at a loss for words. When did Mr. Casper become so compliant? "So, you... agreed to it?"

Casper rubbed his temples, his voice tinged with exhaustion and resignation. "I suppose so. I owe her too much. Who am I to stop her if she wants to find happiness?"

Dillon frowned, "But if she marries Aaron, won't that be like jumping from one bad situation into another?"

"Am I a bad situation?" Casper's eyes flashed with anger.

Dillon shrank back. "It's just a saying. Don't get mad. But if she marries Aaron, wouldn't that be even worse?" "If she wants to jump, who can stop her?"

Back then, she had turned to Aaron

to fake her death and escape. That showed how much she trusted him. Over the past three years, Aaron had been by her side, strengthening their bond and making Eliza depend on

him. Marriage was just a matter of time.

It was not like she would marry Casper again.

Why did the thought of it hurt so much though?

She was his first love, the first to make his heart race, and now... she was gone.