His Destructive, Toxic Love

Aaron arrived at Oak Falls from Falconridge, looking weary from the trip.

Eliza was just about to head out.

"Hey, these are for you." He handed her a bouquet of white roses, their scent rich and enveloping.

Eliza blinked in surprise. "For me?"

"Yeah, for you. Do you like them?" He smiled gently, and in his other hand, he held a box of red velvet cupcakes. "I know you love these, so I got them just for you."

A warm feeling spread through Eliza's chest. Taking the cupcakes, she replied, "Thanks."

"Are you going somewhere?"

"Yeah, one of my students asked for off-campus tutoring, so I've got to teach a lesson." Eliza glanced at her watch. "But there's no rush. Last time we talked, you said you had something important to tell me. What is it?"

"It's about..." Aaron hesitated, pressing his lips together before adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses. "...your father."

Eliza's brow furrowed in confusion. Her father had passed away five years ago. Why was Aaron bringing him up now?

"Aaron, my father... what about him?"Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Sensing her growing agitation, Aaron placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "Eliza, listen to me. Your father... your father, he's... he's not dead."

Eliza's body trembled, her mind spinning. How could that be when she had buried his ashes?

"What do you mean?" Her voice trembled.

"Just listen." He took a deep breath, his voice soft and careful. "Your father is alive, but..."

But what???

Eliza's heart sank, her eyes locked onto Aaron, waiting for his next words.

"But he's been held captive by Casper." Aaron sighed helplessly. "I just found out. I never thought Casper would do something like this. It's truly shocking." Aaron's words felt like a knife to Eliza's heart.

Was everything about Mikey being captured and committing suicide in prison a lie? Why would Casper do this?

The reason wasn't hard to guess.

Revenge.

Casper did it to hurt her, to hurt the Pinotti family.

"Detaining someone is illegal. We should call the police," she said, her eyes growing cold. "Have him arrested. Put him in jail."

"I think you should talk to him first.

With Casper's power, he could easily fabricate evidence and get you

locked up instead. We can't outfight him."

swney

Aaron gently patted Eliza's shoulder, offering comfort and silently vowing to be her strong support.

Determination flickered in her eyes.

Could she really not outfight him? She had to try.

Zach had given her a USB drive she had never opened. He said it contained videos of her father, which she had yet to watch.

Her beautiful fingers clenched into a fist. No matter what, she had to rescue her father from Casper's clutches.

"Eliza," Aaron said softly, embracing her. "I'm here. I'll help you."

"Aaron, I'm a bit tired. I need some time to think."

Everything had happened so suddenly. She felt overwhelmed.

Aaron didn't press, gently stroking her back. "Okay, I'll head back for now. Don't stress too much. I'll talk to Casper. I really didn't expect this from him. After all these years, how did not see it? I wonder how your father..." .

Aaron trailed off. After a few more comforting words, he left.

Won

eve

Eliza, feeling despondent, stood up and walked to the low cabinet in the living room. She opened a drawer, found a metal box, and took out the USB drive inside.