His Destructive, Toxic Love (Jasper and Eliza)

Siblings?

The word felt loaded with ambiguity.

"Half-brother and half-sister, Mr. Juan, you really know how to play the game," Casper sneered, his voice dripping with jealousy and envy.

It was clear.

He was a man; he got it.

Juan shook his head with a smirk, clearly enjoying Casper's irritation, and kept talking.

"We grew up together. I'm even a month older than her, so I guess that makes me the one who knows her best. But we haven't seen each other in years. I've heard bits and pieces about what she's gone through. Seems like you, her ex, really did a number on her." Casper's chopping suddenly halted.

He threw the knife down in frustration and glared at Juan.

"What are you trying to say?"

Juan drew out his words, taunting, "I mean, isn't it a bit late for you to be playing the good guy now? I heard you're engaged. Yet here you are, at Eliza's place, cooking soup. What are you trying to prove?" "You don't need to understand."

Casper picked up the kettle, filled it with water, and plugged it in, all with a calm that belied his inner turmoil.

Casper always kept a wary distance from that smug, playful man.

Juan seemed

against the kitchen doorframe, arms crossed, Juan watched Casper intently, a

boy in kindergarten. If someone messes with her, she has no one to turn to. Think about that..." "I'm here. Who would dare?" Casper's voice was

twisted into a mocking grin, "Mr. Casper, do you think people will back off just because of

turning to Juan with annoyance, "What's your point?" Juan let

Eliza were supposed to finalize your divorce, the civil affairs office had a sudden power outage? Don't tell me that was your

was teasing, a knowing look in

Men understand these things.

outage, right when it mattered

want." Casper wasn't about to explain

widened, taking it

get engaged to someone else? Mr. Casper, I really don't get you." "You

boiled, and Casper poured

pasta with practiced ease,

no sign of

no intention of engaging

might not believe him. "I'm saying, if you

Casper fell silent.

long pause, he finally spoke, his voice tinged with