His Destructive, Toxic Love (Jasper and Eliza)

The Pinotti family wasn't rolling in dough, but somehow, they scraped together enough to get Nova a joint replacement surgery.

But luck wasn't on their side. The hospital back then just didn't have the chops, and the surgery bombed. Nova was left with a limp, and the meds they pumped her with messed up her heart and kidneys, making it impossible for her to ever have kids.

Casper knew deep down that another surgery on Nova's leg would be a lost cause, but that didn't stop him from scouring the globe to find a solution for her.

When you loved someone, it was crystal clear.

When you didn't, it was even clearer.

"I'll leave you to your work," Eliza said, turning to Aaron. "I'm heading out."

"Okay."

Eliza was just about to step away when Nova's voice, sweet and lilting like a nightingale's song, called out to her, "Eliza."

Eliza took a deep breath, trying to keep her cool as she turned back around.

"I told Casper it was you, but he thought I was mistaken." Nova leaned into Casper, her face a picture of pure innocence. "Eliza, don't get the wrong idea. Casper's just here to help me pick up my medical records. You know my leg's not great."

a stab of bitterness in her chest. "Yeah, Casper

smile faltered. "Yes, Casper is a good

good man? How

inside, he turned to Aaron. "Did

looking," Aaron replied,

are we wasting time

goodbye to Eliza as they went in. "We'll be heading

of Casper's tender care for Nova, and her eyes

man she had poured her heart and soul into was giving

Friday rolled around.

her way to Mercy Hospital. The place was locked down tight,

kids who were always in the

even more complicated than she had thought. Getting Robin out

many visitors and those who were there looked like they had the weight of the world on their shoulders. "Number 04, has

said, raising her number excitedly. "I'm

glanced at her. "Follow

the staff, navigating a labyrinth of hallways and stairs, until they finally reached a room with just a table

"Wait here."