His Destructive, Toxic Love (Jasper and Eliza)

"For a woman who just looks like Eliza?"

Aaron was baffled. But Casper was always reckless. Aaron was used to his arrogance and domineering ways, so it wasn't all that surprising.

"I guess I'm just a bit competitive," Casper said, tossing a cigarette into his mouth, letting it dangle there.

"Seems like you still haven't figured out why Eliza left," Aaron said, lowering his gaze and feeling the need to remind Casper. "People turn suicidal out of despair. Mr. Casper, you've already driven one woman to her death. Are you planning to add a second or third to that list?"

Casper suddenly burst into laughter. He turned to face Aaron. "What's the matter, Dr. Martin, losing your nerve?"

"I just want to remind you not to go too far."

Casper looked toward the setting sun.

Over the years, he never understood why Aaron had liked Eliza in the first place. Aaron wasn't the romantic type, and Eliza wasn't his usual preference. What had sparked his feelings?

Was it just a sense of heroism? Or was it simply because he felt sorry for Eliza's situation?

Casper, being a man himself, couldn't believe that a man would give his all to a woman without expecting anything in return.

was Aaron

style, Dr. Martin. You

furrowed his brow, revealing his inner

completely faded, and the spring rains were

football field they stood in was a place of shared memories from their youth. As time passed,

message. [Ms. Valerie, would you join us for a firefly show tonight?] The message

dear friend loves watching è fireflies. The doctor said it would lift his spirits and aid his. And he... is very fond of

cared about to manipulate her into doing

way and

Eliza. So what? As long as she didn't admit

too. [Val, I'm in

shifted back

the next second, she gripped her phone and replied to Aaron, [Sounds great, Aaron. My treat.]

[Okay.]

on Casper's name and deleted his contact. The night in Oak Falls was chilly with

come tonight?" Casper wore a raresmile