His Destructive, Toxic Love

"I'm not leaving." Fiona clung to Casper, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. "You can't just brush me off like this. You need to own up to your promises, to me, and to Dylan."

"Let

go."

He forcibly pried her hands away and pushed her aside. His eyes were filled with disdain and impatience. "Why should I take responsibility for you? Or for your child? If he were Rory's child, I'd take care of him forever, but is he? Fiona, enough is enough. Let's put an end to this charade."

"Casper, don't treat me like this. Please, don't push me to the edge," she pleaded, her voice heavy with sorrow, tears brimming in her eyes, her heartbreak palpable.

Maybe once, he would've felt a twinge of cruelty. But now, seeing Fiona like this, all he could think was what a great act she was putting on.

"Think it over."

With that, Casper headed upstairs. Back in his bedroom, his frown finally started to ease. He glanced around and noticed the room had changed dramatically.noveldrama

Eliza's favorite silk duvet was missing, along with all her skincare products from the vanity. Even her cherished plum blossom-themed aromatherapy burner had been tossed in the trash.

"Marian," Casper shouted, calling the housekeeper in a fit of anger, "Where are my wife's things? The duvet, the pillows, her makeup, and skincare products, where did they all go?"

"I... I'm not quite sure. Miss Song was the one tidying up the bedroom today..."

Casper's frustration was evident. "From now on, no one goes into the bedroom. Get everything back to how it was, pronto."

Marian, visibly shaken, nodded quickly. "Yes, sir."

Feeling a surge of irritation, Casper stepped out into the garden for a smoke. He held his phone, which had dialed the same number countless times, yet no one picked up.

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On the other end of the phone, Eliza had just stepped out of the shower. She was drying her hair, wrapped a new pink silk bathrobe that was soft against her skin. She picked up her phone to check the work schedule her assistant had sent for the next day.

Missed calls: 99+

A slight frown crossed her delicate face. Why had Casper called her so many times?

Before she could think it over, that familiar name lit up the screen once more. After a moment's hesitation, she answered, "Hello?"

"Why haven't you been answering my calls?" His voice was deep and a bit hoarse from smoking, with a hint of grievance. "Can we meet?"

"Is it important?" Her tone was distant.

"Have you seen the news?" He wanted to explain the photos in person. "I mean... those pictures, no, what I mean is..."

Eliza pinched the bridge of her nose, visibly unimpressed. Some things don't need to be hashed out in person.

She was swamped with work, her energy limited, and she didn't have high hopes for romance. "Casper, it's late. Go to sleep. I'm tired.'

"Where are you staying now?"

He had been to the old house but hadn't knocked.

Eliza hadn't been staying there. The area was slated for demolition, so she had moved into the spacious apartment Casper had given her when they agreed to divorce

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"It doesn't matter where I am." She glanced at the time; she had work to finish. "Don't you need to be with Fiona? You two seemed pretty hot and heavy. A moment of passion is worth a thousand gold, so don't waste your time calling me I've got work to do. Bye."