His Destructive, Toxic Love (Jasper and Eliza)

Aaron arrived at Oak Falls from Falconridge, looking weary from the trip.

Eliza was just about to head out.

"Hey, these are for you." He handed her a bouquet of white roses, their scent rich and enveloping.

Eliza blinked in surprise. "For me?"

"Yeah, for you. Do you like them?" He smiled gently, and in his other hand, he held a box of red velvet cupcakes. "I know you love these, so I got them just for you."

A warm feeling spread through Eliza's chest. Taking the cupcakes, she replied, "Thanks."

"Are you going somewhere?"

"Yeah, one of my students asked for off-campus tutoring, so I've got to teach a lesson." Eliza glanced at her watch. "But there's no rush. Last time we talked, you said you had something important to tell me. What is it?"

"It's about..." Aaron hesitated, pressing his lips together before adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses. "...your father."

Eliza's brow furrowed in confusion. Her father had passed away five years ago. Why was Aaron bringing him up now?

"Aaron, my father... what about him?"

shoulder. "Eliza, listen to me. Your father... your father,

could that be when she had buried his

mean?" Her voice

breath, his voice soft and careful. "Your father is

But what???

sank, her eyes locked onto Aaron, waiting for his next

sighed helplessly. "I just found out. I never thought Casper would do something like this. It's truly shocking." Aaron's words felt

captured and committing suicide in prison a lie?

reason wasn't

Revenge.

hurt her, to hurt the

call the police," she said, her

think you should talk to

he could easily fabricate evidence and

up instead. We can't

swney

and silently vowing to be her strong

flickered in her

not outfight