His Destructive, Toxic Love

"Casper."

"Casper, are you home?"

It was Susan's voice.

Speak of the devil, and she's here.

Eliza felt it was time to leave. "Your fiancée's here. I'll get going now. Let her take care of you."

Casper grabbed her wrist, looking at her with reluctance, as if he wanted to explain something.

Before he could say a word, Eliza had already pulled her hand free. "Stop tugging at me. Don't let Susan get the wrong idea. I don't want to be seen as the other woman."

She bent down to pack up the first aid kit.

Susan pushed open the bedroom door and walked in.

Seeing Eliza, she was clearly startled. "You... Aren't you Brock's mom? What... What are you doing here?"

"I'm Casper's friend. He got drunk and hurt himself a bit, so I was helping him out," Eliza said calmly, without a trace of guilt or panic. "I've taken care of his injury. You should stay and look after him."

Susan blinked and then looked at the man on the bed.

His upper body was bare, his skin flushed.

His eyes were hazy, making him look every bit the drunkard.

"You two..."

"He had some alcohol, and I didn't want to risk giving him any fever meds, so I used rubbing alcohol to cool him down. His temperature's dropped quite a bit. If he gets a fever again, you'd better take him to the hospital." Eliza flashed a brief smile, placing the first aid kit aside, ready to leave. "I'll be going now."

Eliza's calm and collected demeanor left Susan unable to find any sign of impropriety.

But being alone together, with disheveled clothes, was it really possible that nothing had happened?

As soon as Eliza left, Susan chased after her.

"Hold on a second."

Eliza stopped and turned to the woman who had followed her, her tone even. "Is there something else?"

"You're Brock's mom, so you and Casper are really just friends?" Susan's face was full of doubt. Eliza smiled slightly, calm and serene. "Ms. Susan, do you want another rival or a friend?" "What do you mean?"

"Whether I'm a rival or a friend, it's all up to how you see it," Eliza said, looking at the girl in front of her, who resembled a younger version of herself. "I hope you and he can work things out."

Susan didn't quite grasp Eliza's meaning.

She just wanted to know what exactly was the relationship between this woman and Casper.

"Are you his ex-girlfriend?" Susan asked with a frown.

Eliza's expression paused slightly. "To be precise... no."

"Then, were you two romantically involved?"

"Not exactly." Understanding the girl's sensitivity, Eliza elaborated a bit more. "If you truly care for him, then be with him sincerely. Ex-girlfriends or his past women are just gardeners who pruned the dead leaves and branches on his path of growth. You're getting a tall, strong tree without pest infestation. As long as you're willing to invest, he will surely reciprocate."

Susan looked at the woman before her, more mature and understanding.

Somewhat comprehending, she pursed her lips.

"I think I get what you're saying, but, I really want to know, did you have a relationship with him before?"

Eliza shook her head. "No comment."

Susan, carefully considering these words, wondered if she could take it as confirmation that there had been something between her and Casper.

"No comment means you're hiding something. You're his ex-girlfriend, right?"

Eliza's face stillbore a faint smile. "Overthinking things just brings unnecessary worry. Whatever relationship I had with Casper, you could ask him directly. I believe his answer will be more convincing."

"Can't you just explain to me?"

"Sorry, I need to go."

QUMS

Eliza left under Susan's suspicious gaze, leaving the Welton family behind.

Susan stood there for a while before sheepishly heading back upstairs to the bedroom.

Casper, now dressed, leaned against the headboard, his face a bit flushed, the smell of alcohol still lingering.

"You're back. Why didn't you tell me? I was looking everywhere for you," Susan said with some resentment, her face crinkled. "That woman just now said you had a fever. How are you feeling now?"