His Destructive, Toxic Love

"This is something Daniel got for me on a business trip. He said he didn't know much about it, just that it was pricey and should be good." Renee's eyes sparkled with amusement as she looked up at her husband in the living room. "Daniel, tell me, did you get swindled?"

"Whatever you say, dear," Daniel replied with a doting smile.

Renee let out a playful huff. "Daniel, you haven't heard Eliza play the harp yet, have you? She's amazing, way better than me. How about we ask her to play something?"

"Renee, Mrs. Welton hurt her hand. Let's not ask her to play now. There will be other opportunities."

"What?" Renee looked surprised as she glanced over at Eliza's hand. "How did you get injured?"

"Just a small cut, nothing serious," Eliza explained casually.

"You gotta be more careful next time."

"Sure."

"I really miss seeing you play the harp. I remember whenever there was a concert, Aaron would show up just to see you. You really have quite the charm," Renee joked.

Eliza's heart tightened, and she couldn't bring herself to look at Casper's stormy expression.

She was about to steer the conversation away when Renee continued, "I remember Aaron was in medical school. What was his last name... oh, right, Martin.”

Daniel smiled at his wife. "Mrs. Welton is naturally beautiful, so it's no surprise she had admirers."

"Our Eliza was the prettiest girl of Falconridge Art Academy. The line of her admirers stretched from the south gate to the north gate of the school. She was especially popular among the younger med students like Aaron," Renee reminisced, completely oblivious to Eliza's subtle attempts to change the subject. "Mr. Casper, you certainly picked the most beautiful woman from our school."

"That is indeed an honor," Casper's tone turned colder.

Eliza nudged Renee's palm, trying to move on from the topic. "Renee, let's add each other on WhatsApp."

"Sure, you're not using your old number anymore?"

"Nope."

Thanks to the bond between Eliza and Renee, Daniel eventually agreed to the business collaboration.

Dinner went relatively smoothly.

As they said their goodbyes, Renee hugged Eliza tightly. "Let's keep in touch, and no more disappearing acts, okay?"

"Sure."

They waved goodbye to Casper and Eliza.

Renee looked up at Daniel, asking, "So, you've decided to collaborate with Casper on that project?"

"Do you have any objections?"

"I've read a lot of the rumors about him..."

Daniel nodded thoughtfully. "I had my reservations for the same reason But we see how loving they are as a couple, and since Mrs. Welton is your good friend, IO thought..."

"He's lucky to have married Eliza."

met

"I'm the lucky one to have married you," Daniel said, wrapping his around Renee's waist and planting a kiss

on her cheek.

Renee laughed and pushed him away. "You're so cheesy."

...

In the car, Casper had been silent.

The cigarette between his fingers burned slowly until it nearly reached his before he tossed it out of

the

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"Aaron pursued you in college?"

His gaze was filled with barely noticeable jealousy and possessiveness, like a fire burning, distorting his features.

This side of Casper was dangerous. She shifted uneasily to the side.