His Destructive, Toxic Love

"Eliza, oh Eliza, I thought you were tougher than this. Turns out, you were just as breakable. You've really done it this time, playing yourself to death. You couldn't have picked a better time, could you? You've handed Casper over to me on a silver platter. Don't worry, we'll

be happy. Just watch us from down below."

Nova pulled out her phone and dialed Casper.

Once, twice, three times no answer. By the fourth call, it went straight to voicemail.

"What's going on? I was humiliated at the engagement party. He should be here comforting me. He can't still be upset about Eliza, can he?"

Forget it.

She decided not to bother him for now. After all, the dead couldn't come back. 'It's normal to grieve for a few days,' she thought. Why hold a grudge against someone who's no longer here? Only Casper and Caroline attended Eliza's funeral. The Welton family's cemetery was eerily quiet, with gentle snowflakes falling from the sky.

Casper, holding Eliza's urn, gently placed it into the grave. There were two graves-one for Eliza and one reserved by Casper for himself. He had decided that in death, they would lie side by side, whether she wanted it or not. He even had his own name engraved on the tombstone.

Caroline stood by, her heart a whirlwind of emotions. "Why even do this?" Caroline had many reproaches to voice. "You were never kind to her in life, and now that she's gone, you put on this act of deep affection. Who are you trying to impress? Who even cares?" Casper seemed not to hear her, kneeling in front of the grave, carefully filling it with soil, burying Eliza's urn slowly and meticulously. His movements were earnest, focused, and tender. His dark hair was covered with snowflakes.

Caroline exhaled a deep breath,

visible in the cold air. "Do you

remember what Eliza was like when she first married you? She's such a lively young girl, always with a bright, sweet smile. Sometimes, I wondered how such a wonderful girl existed in this world. She truly seemed like an angel..."

"She was so beautiful, had such a great personality, her paintings were so lovely, and she was so caring. Yet, her life was so bitter. She loved you so much but never got your love in return. You went out of your way to torment her and her family for another woman. She bore so much. Her heart must have been in

constant pain...

"You never loved her, nor did you ever intend to. You just used her as an outlet for your frustrations. You never planned to have a real life with her, did you? Now you grieve like this just because she died too soon, right?" "Yes, you're right. I'm a monster."

His voice was soft, as light as the snowflakes drifting from the sky. It was so cold and full of despair. How could such a person be worthy of speaking about love? Casper never loved anyone. Maybe he only loved himself, but why did his heart hurt so badly?

"You go back home. I want to stay here a bit longer." He remained kneeling, allowing the snowflakes to cover him entirely. Caroline moved her lips, about to say more. But she saw Casper's dejected appearance and swallowed her remaining words. "Then, you go ahead and repent."