His Destructive, Toxic Love (Jasper and Eliza)

Dillon sucked in a sharp breath, feeling the cold air sting his lungs. Casper's heart pounded, his blood racing to his head. Struggling to steady his erratic breathing, he asked, "Which shopping mall will he go to?" "I... I don't know."

Falconridge had plenty of shopping malls, and Aaron hadn't mentioned the details to Nova. Casper dialed Eliza's number, but there was no answer. Panic started to creep in.

"Dillon, round up more people. I want every shopping mall searched now!"

"On it, Mr. Casper."

Casper snatched his coat and hurried out of the office, Dillon right behind him.

Meanwhile, in a modest-sized shopping mall in Falconridge, Eliza was in the toy section, helping Brock pick out his favorite toy car.

"Do you like this one?" she asked.

Brock clutched one car in each hand, torn between the two. "I want both."

"You can only pick one," Eliza gently reminded him.

Brock looked from one to the other, clearly torn. Finally, with a reluctant sigh, he let go of one. "I'll take this one."

she

with two cups of iced tea, handing one to Eliza and the other to Brock. "Let's take a

often we get to enjoy a day out at the mall together,"

invited her out for the day and specifically asked her to bring Brock along. She hadn't wanted to come but was curious about Aaron's intentions,

was as gentle

"You've been back in Falconridge for a while now. You're living

each other. Honestly, I've missed you and

fine," she said with

must be hard living with him," Aaron said, reaching for

leaving him looking a bit

know you're still upset with me," he said,

are she said, not revealing whether she trusted or forgave him. This ambiguity unsettled

en

"Let's not dwell on that. There's an amusement park ahead. Let's take Brock

up Brock, but

we're not going. Brock is tired, and it's almost his nap

then we'll head