His Destructive, Toxic Love

Ten years. That was enough time to wreck Eliza's life.

Casper's eyes flickered. "Are you sure it's her?"

"The arsonist confessed. The cops will probably arrest Eliza soon. Whether she's innocent, that's up to the investigation."

Innocent? Could she be innocent?

She always had it out for Nova.

Inside the apartment, Eliza had just whipped up a bowl of instant pasta, tossing in some ham.

The doorbell rang, and she got up to answer it.

When she sae the police, she froze. "Can I help you?"

An officer flashed an arrest warrant. "Eliza, you're under suspicion for instigating arson. You're under arrest. Please cooperate."

Arson?

She was dumbfounded. "Officers, there must be some mistake. Me... instigating arson?" She took a step back, "Have you really looked into this? You can't just arrest people on a whim."

The cops didn't waste any time and pulled out the handcuffs, "Please come with us. If you're innocent, we'll clear your name."

"No, no." She backed away, hands nervously behind her, "I didn't start any fire. Who said I did? Do you have proof?"

"Someone implicated you, plus there are transaction records."

Transaction records?

She was barely scraping by. Who could she possibly have transactions with? Especially for something like arson.

Did they mean that fire at Henderson Estate?

"Is this about the Henderson Estate fire?" she asked, her voice shaking.

The police nodded, "Yes."

It suddenly clicked.

As she was led to the police car, she had a flashback of her father being taken away in one.

That same feeling of despair, panic, and utter confusion now washed over her. History was repeating itself.

Eliza was locked up.

Chelsea couldn't reach Eliza for

before

arrested. She tried everythingnets

finding out she'd been

couldn't get a visitation.

Out of options, she turned to Aaron.

Aaron was floored. "Why was she arrested?"

"The Henderson family house fire. The arsonist said Eliza put him up to it, so they arrested her."

"Do you know this arsonist?" It was baffling.

Chelsea shook her head. "No."

"Well, let me talk to Casper first."

"Okay."

Aaron went to see Casper, who was at the hospital with Nova.

"Casper, I need a word."

He didn't

diffonant to interrupt, but icerent to Eliza's situation rubb

seeing Casper and Nova so

the wrong way.

Casper followed Aaron to the rooftop. "Spit it out, I'm busy."

"Do you know Eliza's been arrested?"

"Yeah." Casper's eyes were dark and unreadable.

Aaron was stunned. "You knew? Then you must know why?"

"She hired someone to torch the Henderson Estate. Nova got hurt and lost her sight."

Casper's words were brief but heavy.

Aaron needed a moment to process

it. "You really think she hired someone to set that fire?" He looked at Casper in disbelief, "How could she? She's got her hands full with her mom and brother's issues. She wouldn't hire someone to kill. Plus, that's her childhood home Why would she burn it down?"