His Destructive, Toxic Love

She didn't want to overthink people's intentions too much. So, she never questioned Casper. Nor did she bad-mouth Summer. The hair incident? She could chalk it up to an accident. But it still turned her stomach. The bag was gorgeous, sure, but it killed her vibe. With flowers in one hand and the elegantly wrapped bag in the other, she made her way back to the living room. Casper was there, playing with their child, trying to make him giggle. When he saw her with the gift he had painstakingly put together, he flashed a hopeful grin, "Do you like it?" "The flowers? Absolutely," she replied.

"I'll make sure you get them every day from now on. I guess I dropped the ball on that before," he chuckled, a hint of guilt in his voice.

Eliza glanced up at him, her smile playful, "Did you ever send them before?"

Casper passed their son to the nanny, moving closer with a look that begged for her approval, "Let's not dwell on the past. What about the bag, do you like it?" "It's alright." She didn't want to elaborate.

Eliza headed upstairs, and Casper was right behind her. As soon as they stepped into the bedroom, he pinned her against the door and kissed her passionately... That perfume smell hit Eliza again, making her feel uneasy. She pushed him away, "That stinks."

Casper quickly went off to shower. But the orchid-like scent lingered for ages. It made her queasy, and she wouldn't let Casper get close.

"I showered, you know," he said, trying to cozy up to her.

Eliza pushed him away again, "Casper, didn't you used to hate perfume? How come now your secretary wears such strong stuff every day, and you're fine with it?" Casper was caught off guard, just as he was about to explain.

Eliza grabbed his pajamas with a frown, "Take a whiff, you smell like her perfume."

Casper sniffed his arm, only catching the scent of their familiar shower gel, nothing else. Yet, he was secretly pleased, seeing Eliza's reaction as jealousy.

"Jealous, are we? Worried someone might steal me away?" he teased.

"I'm worried you'll ruin the air at

ve

home," she shot back, letting him go and keeping her distance. "Casper, if there's a third wheel in our relationship, all our efforts are down the drain."

He knew this all too well. But he could swear he never had such thoughts.

"I wouldn't dare." He patted his chest, promising, "I'm all in for you, in this life, the next, and the one after that." Her gaze was intense, "You better be."

"I promise." He held her hand, kissing it gently, "You have to trust in my love for you."

Eliza looked deep into his eyes. His sincerity and loyalty were plain to see. But what about the future? Men like Casper faced endless temptations. Once he'd won her over with no more passion of challenges, would he look elsewhere

for excitement?

A young and beautiful college grad like Summer, fresh into the world, naive, eager, and full of energy. How could she not catch his eye?

Should she be ready to walk away at any moment? But why should she have to? If Casper ever betrayed her, the first thing she'd do is make him regret it. Eliza cracked a small smile.

"Give that bag to your secretary. As a young woman just starting out, a thoughtful gesture from you, her boss, wouldn't hurt. Don't be too tightfisted."

Casper was momentarily surprised.

Sure, buying Eliza a limited-edition bag wasn't a huge deal. But it was still nearly a seven-figure price tag

Even as a generous boss, 9.19

such an expensive gift to a

J

subordinate was over the top. What would the others think? It could lead to all sorts of rumors about their relationship.

"There are plenty of ways to show appreciation. Giving her the bag isn't right," he declined.

Eliza hadn't expected such a flat-out refusal, thinking he'd at least pretend to consider it. But he just said no?