His Destructive, Toxic Love

"No."

"No? Why do you need your own apartment? Are you single?" Casper spat out a curse.

Eliza didn't quite catch what he said, but it was definitely something rude. "So, you don't agree?"

She knew he wouldn't.

She really liked this apartment. She thought maybe he'd be a bit more lenient since it was his territory.

Feeling a bit regretful, she turned to leave. His irritable voice suddenly came through the phone, "You better live there 'til the end of time." The call ended.

Eliza shivered, and then she smiled.

So that meant he agreed.

Eliza busied herself for the next few days, setting up her cozy little apartment.

Though it wasn't big, she made it neat and homey, even placing a vase of beautiful sunflowers on the windowsill.

Lying on the soft, large bed, she inhaled the fresh scent of fabric softener from the blankets.

Her phone rang. She picked it up and looked at the screen, her smile freezing.

It was Casper.

After a long moment, she slowly answered, "Hello?"

"There's a guy who's into oil paintings. He's got a few pieces and invited me to check them out. Come with me, just to make an appearance." "Do I have to go?" She really didn't want to.

He didn't seem to care much about her refusal. "Get ready. I'll pick you up in half an hour."Original content from NôvelDrama.Org.

"Mr. Casper." She was afraid he'd hang up. "Let Nova go with you; she probably knows a bit about oil paintings, too. Hello? Hello?"

The call ended.

Eliza was speechless. She couldn't understand why he insisted on her coming along, just like she couldn't figure out why he insisted she work at Welton International. Was it just so he could keep an eye on her?

Yet, he agreed to let her live in the bachelor pad. His actions were truly baffling.

Half an hour later, a car pulled up outside her apartment building.

Through the window, Eliza saw that Casper wasn't alone. Sitting in the passenger seat was Faithe.

Faithe being there meant this meeting was more about business. The bad memories of their last encounter lingered. This time...

Faithe got out of the car, not exactly respectful but polite enough. "Ms. Eliza, please get in."

Eliza hesitated for a moment before bending down and getting in.

Casper didn't say a word. He just naturally took her cold hand in his. "Why are you so cold?"

She tried to pull away a few times without success, and the car started moving.

"Are you cold?" He asked again.

Eliza turned her face to the window. "It's always like that."

She always felt chilly in this kind of weather. When she felt cold, she would try to snuggle into his bed, and she still remembered the look of disgust on his face.

"Eliza, have you no shame crawling into a man's bed? Who taught you that?" He would say. "I warn you to stay away from me. Have an more filthy thoughts, and you can get out."

Such words weren't what newlyweds should say to each other.

She only remembered being so stunned at the time. He had scolded her as if she had done something utterly shameful.

From then on, whenever he came

home, she would stick to her side of

the bed, quietly cooperating

whenever he had physical needs and never daring to get too close to him again. .

This incident left a deep scar in her heart, unhealed to this day.

"Later, I'll find a doctor to treat your condition properly." He suddenly became gentle.

She really couldn't bring herself to be moved. "No thank you." Her voice was soft but firm.

He didn't continue.

The car drove steadily on.

They stopped in front of a majestic gate.