His Destructive, Toxic Love (Jasper and Eliza)

Repaying a debt was a whole different ballgame.

Eliza could tell good from bad.

"Casper, saving my son doesn't make you a saint. You might be just like Aaron, with some hidden agenda."

She wasn't about to trust anyone again. Not even Casper.

He let out a dry, sarcastic laugh. Even though he'd saved her son, she still saw him as a dark and twisted villain. No matter how many times he played the hero, it wouldn't change a thing.

He should've known better than to hope that she'd see him differently or that she'd look at him with any warmth.

He realized now that she wasn't going to be kind or friendly towards him. In his world, such hopes were just a luxury.

Inside, he felt a sense of helplessness, and it wasn't just anger. It was more like a deep, gnawing sadness.

"Yeah, I have hidden motives. I'm a bad guy, a real piece of work, okay?"

He didn't even bother changing his shoes before heading upstairs.

mix of emotions churned inside Eliza. She realized her words might have been harsh, cutting deep,

noble as Aaron could turn dark, how could Casper, already a villain,

to figure out why Aaron was targeting her

Eliza thought of someone.

Caroline.

closer to Aaron than Casper ever was. Maybe

afternoon for

apart, this

daze. Her eyes welled up, trying to force a smile that ended up looking awkward and

her tightly. "You're

"I'm doing okay."

She was dying to know how Eliza had been these past

even that Brock was Casper's

know he's

probably didn't. "I haven't

wasn't sure if Casper would try to take Brock away. "Have you thought

would happen. "He does not love me, so do you think he would love Brock? He has plenty of chances to marry someone