His Destructive, Toxic Love (Jasper and Eliza)

Audrey felt her heart sink. She gently twirled the rosary beads in her hands. "This is all we can do now."

The day Mikey had his surgery, Eliza saw Casper. He chatted briefly with Dr. Roth, likely discussing the surgery details and giving an overview of Mikey's condition. She watched from afar, her heart pounding with anxiety. After Dr. Roth entered the operating room, Casper walked over to her. "I talked to Dr. Roth. We agreed to use the best medication available during the surgery. It should help with the recovery. Don't worry about the cost." Eliza forced a stiff smile. "It's okay, I can cover the expense. Thanks for your concern."

"Don't mention it. If we can't be lovers, we can still be friends. It's only right to help out a bit," he said, patting her shoulder gently, his lips curling into a warm smile, his tone carrying a sense of release. "I have a meeting back at my company, so I can't stay here with you. I'll be off then."

"Alright," she nodded softly.

As Casper's figure receded into the distance, Eliza reluctantly withdrew her gaze. Sitting alone on the wooden bench in the hallway, staring at the blinking lights above the operating room, she fell into deep thought.

Strangely, at that moment, all she could think about was Casper. Her thoughts spun slowly in her mind like old film reels. From that first stunning glimpse of him to the moment he turned and left, everything that happened in between replayed before her eyes, every scene as vivid as the first.

No. She was just becoming

love?

abiding love? Or is it forgiveness, choosing to forgive even when hurt, a sense of letting bygones

anything to do with

in her heart forever.

Someone spoke. Eliza hastily composed herself and turned to look. When she saw Zach's face, her heart skipped a

brow, Zach walked over with an easy stride and sat down beside her without hesitation. "What's with the look? As if you're guarding

been seen in a long time. Eliza shifted away slightly, her

we old acquaintances? You've been the crush I've pursued for years without