His Destructive, Toxic Love (Jasper and Eliza)

"No need. I just want to go home and rest for a bit. Plus, Brock's still at the neighbor's, and I'm worried about him," Eliza said.

Aaron grabbed his jacket and Eliza's purse, helping her up. "Alright."

Casper emerged from the bathroom, his dark eyes narrowing slightly, a subtle, almost invisible smile playing at the corners of his lips as he watched the two leave together.

Casper didn't leave Oak Falls. Sometimes, he'd find himself at the school where Eliza taught painting. He enjoyed standing outside the window, watching her teach the kids. She taught them how to sketch various flowers and plants, stroke by stroke. "Miss Valerie, is that handsome man outside your boyfriend?" a sharp-eyed little girl asked, pointing toward Casper.

Eliza glanced up and saw Casper giving her a casual wave. "I don't know him. Now, look here. This line is too heavy. You need to make it lighter here," she corrected the child, focusing on the task at hand.

"Got it, Miss Valerie," the kid replied, concentrating on her drawings.

Eliza sighed and stepped out of the classroom. Her expression turned icy as she approached Casper. "Mr. Casper, you're everywhere, aren't you?"

"Just here for business. Did I bother you?" he replied nonchalantly.

"Yes," she answered curtly.

sometimes words can sting," he remarked with a faint smile before

the principal's office. She brushed off her confusion and headed inside. "Sir, you want me to tutor someone in painting?"

earnestly, "This person donated a

dollars. What's

about?"

worried because Casper needed the tuition? He had clearly

home, and there's no one to look after

me, an old man, to

didn't crave money.

Oak Falls, she struggled and had to enter

competitions

won many

recognition. If she needed money, she could easily sell apainting. But she preferred a quiet,

too much attention.

dollars a month. But the principal had always been kind to her, and she