His Destructive, Toxic Love (Jasper and Eliza)

Chapter 535

Eliza hadn't shared her pregnancy news with anyone besides Casper's unseen spirit and the Welton family. After spending a couple of days at the old Welton mansion and taking Brock to preschool, she made her way back to Oak Falls.

Brock was too young to grasp what death meant, so she simply told him Casper had gone abroad and might not be back for a while. Back in Oak Falls, her days were a blur of monotony, her belly gradually growing. She was so slender that it barely showed, especially with her loose clothing concealing her pregnancy well.

By the time she hit five months, she decided to take an extended leave from her teaching job, figuring she'd think about work again after the baby was born. Moving back to Falconridge seemed like a smart move; it would save her from the weekly back-and-forth of dropping Brock off. So, she busied herself packing.

When the doorbell rang, she got up to answer it, surprised to see Manuel standing there. It had been ages since they'd last crossed paths. "Hey...what brings you here?"

His eyes traveled from her face to her maternity dress, which highlighted her youthful glow. "I heard...you took some time off."

"Yeah," she replied, inviting him in without hesitation. "I'm planning to head to Falconridge for a bit."

"You're...pregnant?" he asked, glancing again at her dress.

Eliza felt a slight wave of embarrassment but remained open. "Yes, it's Casper's child."

"Casper's child" seemed to hang in the air, tender yet tinged with sadness. Manuel looked

traveling back

could he ask her to change her plans. "When do you

stood up, easing a slight tension

"I could come with you, help

was caught off guard. Help her? Manuel didn't owe her

keep pushing me away?" He looked a bit hurt, emotions flickering across his features. "I didn't

"}

pushing you away..." she tried to explain, knowing she couldn't give him what he wanted. "Manuel, right now, I can't think about marriage again. I

hotel you back."

clear. Nobody offers kindness without expecting something in return. She knew what Manuel hoped for, but she couldn't give

to find

He wasn't just

ve

a strong emotional tie. He didn't know the full story of her and her late husband, but he guessed it