His Destructive, Toxic Love

She still needed some time to get ready.

He, however, showed no signs of leaving.

After stepping out of the car, he trailed behind Eliza and entered her home.

"Mr. Casper, I invited you for dinner, not lunch. Are you planning to stick around?"

She had plans to head to the hospital soon to talk to Mikey and his doctor about Dr. Roth agreeing to the surgery. If Casper stayed, she wouldn't be able to get anything done. "Just go about your business; I'll just chill here for a bit."

"I'm heading to the hospital," she said, changing into a fresh outfit and tying her hair into a neat bun. "Feel free to rest here if you want."

"You're going to the hospital?" he asked softly, pulling out a heavy set of car keys from his pocket and handing them to her, "Take my car." "That's okay, I can just grab a taxi."

Casper didn't pull his hand back, insisting, "It's way easier than taking a cab. Take it."

Eliza gave in and took the keys, "Alright, I'm off to the hospital. I'll be back later."

"Drive safe and take it easy," he advised tenderly.

"Got it."

They interacted like an old married couple, comfortable and familiar.

Casper loved spending time alone with Eliza. Even just being in her house made him feel naturally relaxed and cozy. This must be what home feels like.

Eliza drove Casper's car to the

hospital and spotted David making a phone call near the entrance of the ward. After parking, she walked over just as he finished his call, "Eliza."

"David." Carter was also in this hospital, and David looked serious. She guessed Carter's condition might have worsened, "Is the professor's condition getting worse?" en

"Yeah," David said heavily, his eyes losing their usual confidence and sparkle, "He's started to talk incoherently now, I really am..." David's eyes were red and teary.

Though birth, aging, sickness, and death are natural, it's never easy to bear when it hits close to home. Eliza's heart ached with sympathy. "How's Amaya holding up?"

"My mom has already passed out from crying and was taken to another room to rest," David's voice was filled with exhaustion and helplessness. Eliza felt a rush of indescribable emotions and nodded slightly, "Then I'll go see the professor first."

Following David's steps, she entered Carter's hospital room. On the bed, Carter looked extremely frail, his once upright spine now significantly bent. He looked even more haggard than during their fake engagement, stirring pity in anyone who saw him. NôvelDrama.Org © content.

Seeing Eliza at the doorway, a spark of excitement flashed in Carter's eyes as he struggled to sit up.

"Dad, don't move," David quickly walked to the bedside, gently pressing a button. The bed slowly elevated, adjusting to a comfortable semi-sitting position. Eliza slowly approached the bedside. The sorrow in her heart surged like a tide, but she held back her tears, maintaining a calm demeanor: "Professor Carter..." "Eliza," he spoke with effort, yet insisted on reaching out to grasp Eliza's hand, "I've been looking forward to you and David having a wedding soon."

A wedding was not part of Eliza's plan. Initially, David had only discussed engagement with her, not marriage. This sudden mention of a wedding was unexpected. "Professor, you don't have to worry about us. Just focus on getting better, and David and I will be fine."

"Getting a marriage license... would be nice," Carter said, each word seeming to sap all his strength, "Promise me, will you?"