His Destructive, Toxic Love (Jasper and Eliza)

Nova's throat tightened as she swallowed hard, her lips pressed together in a silent struggle. She couldn't bring herself to say 'yes' or 'no.' Casper's eyes were cold and unyielding as he approached her slowly. He reached out, gripping her neck and pinning her against the back of the chair. "I'll give you three seconds." His voice was like a whisper from the depths of hell.

"I" Nova's voice caught in her throat, fear flickering in her eyes. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Yeah. That painting wasn't mine."

Her confession was exactly what Casper had suspected. He knew it was a mistake, but who was the real artist?

Nova knew the details too well; she had to know who painted it.

"Who did it?" His eyes bore into hers, suspicion brewing. "Tell me, and maybe I'll spare your neck."

"It was, it was..." Nova gasped for air, her breath coming in ragged bursts. "...Eliza."

Something shattered deep inside him. The pieces fell, piercing the softest parts of his heart, one by one.

Pain surged through him, threatening to drown him.

The first time he had officially met Eliza, her eyes had seemed so familiar. By then, Nova had already found him, and he had naturally mistaken that familiarity for mere similarity. How foolish he had been.

lie to me? What did you want? The title of Mrs. Welton? The Welton

on her neck tightened, his breath hot and

brink of suffocation. Just as she was about to lose consciousness,

loosened his collar, taking a deep breath, "And...

nodded at the command, pulling Nova up from the

went

falling at Casper's feet clinging to his legs, pleading, "I'm sorry, Casper. I had no hidden motives. Like Eliza, I just liked

"Do you mean you liked

think of me as her. I don't mind." Nova clutched his trouser leg,

I need a useless servant?" Casper kicked her away, waving his hand.

don't do this to me.

useful.

you all of

life.