His Destructive, Toxic Love

The little guy looked a bit confused for a moment, then nodded eagerly, "I want a sister."

"Last night, your mom and I were, well, you know, working on that for you," he said, trying to keep it simple, giving the kid a look that said, trust me, it's all for you. "That's not being mean, that's just putting in the effort." The little guy didn't quite get the grown-up stuff.

But he hated hearing his mom in pain.

"Can we make sure mom doesn't get hurt next time? If a sister comes from that, she might not be happy either."

"I promise."

He assured him that next time, the little guy wouldn't even hear a peep.

Poor Eliza, she was so easily embarrassed.

She might even have some lingering awkward feelings about this.

Eliza got herself dressed, tidied up the sleeping bag, and stepped out of the tent.

The morning air was crisp and refreshing.

Casper had whipped up some simple steaks.

Brock was happily munching away.

Thinking about last night's events... she found it hard to meet Casper's gaze.

"Come have some," Casper said, walking over.

Eliza murmured a response and joined him.

Casper had already cut up the steak and eggs, handing them to her, "Once we finish eating, we'll head back home."

"I need to take Brock back to preschool, and then I'm off to Oak Falls," she said softly, her voice low but clear.

Casper paused, then smiled lightly, "Alright, I'll sort things out at Falconridge and go with you to Oak Falls."

She felt there was no need for them to be glued at the hip.

After everything they'd been through.

A little space to let things simmer down was probably a good idea.

"No, that's okay."

"You don't want to go together?" He sounded a bit hurt but hesitated to push further, "It's fine, I'll drop you off. I'll give you space, just don't..."

He trailed off, unsure if he should finish, worried it might upset her.

Eliza looked up, puzzled by his unfinished thought, "Don't what?"

"Just... please don't see Manuel again, alright?" He was pleading, not demanding.

He sounded like a sad, wronged partner.

Eliza paused, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

She slowly nibbled on a piece of bread.

After they got back from the camping trip.

She spent a bit of time with the little guy at the old house before taking him to preschool.

"I'll drive you back to Oak Falls," Casper offered.

Eliza didn't argue.

She slid into his car.

Once Casper was in the driver's seat, he leaned over to buckle her seatbelt.

His breath brushed past her nose, making her eyelashes flutter as she tucked her chin.

He didn't try anything else, just started the car and drove away from Falconridge. Honestly, neither Eliza nor Casper were big talkers.

Especially after they got married and

misunderstandings piled to

conversations feel like a rare.J

Now, their interactions felt more like those of two people who'd just met, cautious and a bit tentative. Running out of things to say felt normal.

Eliza leaned her head against the car window, dozing in and out.

Casper stole a glance at her, a small smile playing at his lips.

Eliza's phone, sitting next to the seat, lit up quietly.

He reached over and saw a message from Manuel.

His eyes narrowed instantly.

Before, whether it was Aaron or Zach, he never really worried about them, they were just talk. But Manuel was different.

He was someone Eliza had been set

up with, and the fact she was opene to giving him a chance meant something.

In other words.

She had given both him and Manuel a fair shot.

Who would ultimately win her heart was still up in the air.