His Destructive, Toxic Love (Jasper and Eliza)

Designs centered around flowers had always been a classic choice, but they were also the hardest to make truly stand out. Flowers were naturally beautiful, so to really impress, you had to focus on the little details.

Nova came from a traditional painting background, not professional jewelry design. She could join in, but winning the $100,000 prize seemed out of reach.

As the workday ended, Casper himself showed up at the design department to pick Nova up.

"Why did you come yourself? Seriously, you don't need to worry about me; I can handle it," Nova said, her cheeks flushing with a shy delight, her eyes filled with affection. She played the part of a pampered woman to perfection.

Casper took hold of her wheelchair and started pushing it. "How was your first day? Are you settling in okay?"

"My colleagues are all really nice."

"That's good to hear."

Everyone watched them closely as they left the design department, the air buzzing with gossip.

"Looks like Mr. Casper has found true love. Just look at how he looks at Ms. Nova, so tender and loving."

"The pull of a crush is strong. I wonder how Mr. Casper's not-yet-ex-wife feels about this."

only love their first love;

is about to

something

consequences of not being loved. She only

to leave the office. Autumn had settled in, so she wrapped her trench

called out to her. She turned and saw a familiar

Aaron jogged a few steps to catch up. "You're working

"Yeah."

wasn't hard to guess Casper had arranged

"I heard the project is picking up again, thanks to Casper, and the medicine your mom is taking is something he imported

attempt to mediate. "Casper and I have no

little, turning into irrevocable despair. Every step she and Casper took was a

at the neon lights lining the street. Even the mole at the corner of her

now... I can only take things one step

can count on me," he offered, hoping to

grateful. "Thank you, Aaron, but I'd rather not

"I understand."