His Destructive, Toxic Love (Jasper and Eliza)

On the ride to the Welton family estate, Eliza's slender frame stayed pressed against the car door.

Casper tapped the seat next to him. "Scoot over a bit."

Her lashes, heavy with the mist of tears, lifted slowly as she looked at him, shaking her head. There was an inherent sense of vulnerability about her when she cried, especially in bed. He often found himself lost, utterly captivated by it.

He withdrew his lingering gaze from her face. "You should really drop that 'woe-is-me' look. Anyone who doesn't know us might think I've done something terrible to you."

"Have you not?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

Casper shot her a cold look, a sneer in his voice. "Are you calling what happens between us mistreatment? Or is it your attempt to kill me that's the real issue?"

Anything she resisted was labeled as mistreatment, whether in bed or out. Clearly, Casper didn't get it.

Eliza gently pressed her cheek against the car window, looking so alone and desolate. The car slowly rolled to a stop in front of the Welton estate.

Once out of the car, Casper extended his hand toward Eliza. She reflexively hid her hands behind her back. Noticing the slight change in Casper's expression, she then placed her hand in his. Her hand was cold. His was warm and dry. But it wasn't the warmth she needed.

courtyard, Eliza spotted Caroline from

"Eliza."

Eliza managed a smile that looked more painful

at her

would I

seeing she had cried. "Eliza,

didn't want Caroline to focus

dinner tonight." Caroline took

two women walked ahead, with Casper trailing behind, hands in his pockets. The

welcome Caroline,

as expressionless as ever.

I'm back?" Caroline teased with a

Caroline's head. "With Casper and

you," Caroline said, placing a piece of lobster meat into her grandfather's bowl. "Grandpa, you need to live another thirty healthy years." "Then I would become a real