His Destructive, Toxic Love

Eliza pulled her gaze away, clenching her teeth. "Mr. Casper, you have already paid for everything. I can't just not show up," she said, taking a deep breath to calm her anger. "You're right. I've had my share of embarrassing moments, but thankfully, that's all in the past now. I won't make the same mistakes again." "Everyone's got a past, Ms. Valerie. No need to feel down about it," he said slowly, almost too carefully.

Eliza was annoyed, Casper sure had a way with words.

The car drove on, finally stopping in front of an unfamiliar hospital. Chelsea had mentioned that not long after she 'passed away,' Casper, acting as Robin's guardian, brought him back from abroad and admitted him to this hospital, supposedly the best in the country for mental health treatment.

Eliza felt a knot in her stomach. After parking, Casper and Dillon got out, one after the other. She lingered in the car for a bit, then slowly gathered her art supplies and stepped out.

"Ms. Valerie, doesn't the hospital have a nice environment?" Casper asked, hands in his pockets, looking slightly down at her. "Unfortunately, my friend's condition is severe, so his recovery has been slow."

Eliza stayed silent and just carried her supplies inside. Her feelings were a tangled mess. She was eager yet terrified to see Robin and even more scared he'd recognize her.

The hospital director greeted them personally and showed Eliza to a clean, spacious room. She set up her easel, anxiety gnawing at her. About half an hour later, Robin entered with a nurse. At first glance, he looked healthier and not as thin, which made Eliza smile bitterly, though deep down, she was happy for him.

"Robin, today a beautiful lady will draw your portrait. Be a good boy, okay?" the nurse said, handing him a small teddy bear. "Mr. Casper said if you cooperate, he'll take you to catch fireflies."

"Fireflies?" Robin clapped his hands joyfully, like a little kid. "Yes, take me to catch glowing bugs."

"That's a good boy," the nurse whispered, pushing his wheelchair across from Eliza. "Sit here and let the lady draw your picture. It won't take long."

After getting Robin settled, the nurse turned to Eliza. "Ms. Valerie, please try to work quickly since he's a patient."

"Got it."

Maybe it was the emotions flooding

in, but as Eliza drew, tears rolled down her cheeks. She didn't even need to see Robin to draw him; she knew his face by heart. But seeing him in person made her hands shake.

Suddenly, a pair of large hands covered her small, trembling ones. "Ms. Valerie, don't be nervous. He won't hurt anyone."

Eliza jerked her hands back as if

shocked. She had lost her composure, which wasn't like her. probably didn't eat breakfast this morning. Low blood sugar is making my hands shake. Sorry," she offered a clumsy excuse.

"No worries," Casper said, pulling a lollipop from his pocket, unwrapping it, and offering it to her. "Here."

She looked up, frowning at him. He smiled. "It's not poisoned."

"No, thanks," she declined.

"I'm worried your shaking might mess up the portrait. It's worth a million," he teased, offering it again.

After a moment, Eliza took it, not

eating it but placing it aside. She e

focused on drawing Robin's portrait, his profile as picturesque as ever, captivating him.