His Destructive, Toxic Love

"My son's issues are mine to handle, and besides, I have a man. What are you to me?" She scoffed, dismissing him with a wave of her hand. "Mr. Casper, you really think this would sway me? Let me tell you, you're only fooling yourself. Don't kid yourself." Her tone was sharp, almost cutting.

She wanted to make sure Casper got the message loud and clear: stop pursuing her.

She knew Casper all too well. His ego was fragile, and any kindness he offered was always with an expectation of reciprocation. If he didn't get it, his pride would be wounded. Just as she predicted.

The man clenched his jaw, trying to keep his anger in check. "I'm deluding myself? I'm meddling? Fine. Valerie, don't come crawling back to me later."

He hung up before Eliza could respond.

Eliza let out a big sigh, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders.

David noticed her mood and walked over, gently patting her shoulder. "Why don't you take a day off and stay home?"

"David, I'm really exhausted."

"Then lean on me," he said, smiling as he wrapped her in a gentle hug. "You don't have to do everything alone. Sometimes, you need to rely on others." Eliza gave a wry smile.

Did she really have anyone to rely on?

Her marriage to Casper had taught her that she could only count on herself. Sometimes, even that wasn't enough.

Running away to Oak Falls hadn't changed much. She still encountered everyone she hoped to avoid.

All she wanted was a simple, peaceful life. Why was it so difficult?

Her phone suddenly rang.

Eliza gently pushed David away and glanced at the screen.

An unknown number, but it was from a hospital.

"Hello? What? The person who brought him in left? Okay, I understand."

"What's wrong?" David asked, concern etched on his face.

Eliza's lips curled into a resigned smile. "They said my dad had a stroke and was brought to

Falconridge Hospital by that woman. The hospital called, asking me to come over." en

"Weren't they married? How come..." David trailed off, confused.

Eliza was puzzled too.

She needed to go to the hospital to figure out what had happened.

"Eliza, if your dad is really sick, you might not be able to go back to Qak Falls. Maybe you should consider moving back to Falconridge. Leould take better care of you there

It made sense, logically.

Eliza's eyes dimmed. "Let's see after I visit him."

"Alright."

BUMS

After returning to Falconridge, Eliza went straight to the hospital where Mikey was. She found the attending doctor and asked about his condition.

Only then did she get the full story.

The woman and Mikey were never married. After moving to Crescent Creek, Mikey had assumed a false identity, and they lived together as husband and wife in name only. Legally, they had no connection.

Now that Mikey was in trouble, the young woman didn't want to take care of him anymore and sent him back to Falconridge.

"A stroke? And she just dumped him?" Eliza was incredulous. Women could be just as heartless as men.

The doctor adjusted his glasses, his expression serious. "It's not exactly a stroke. There's a tumor in his brain pressing on the nerves, causing symptoms similar to a stroke. In reality, it's much worse."

"Can he have surgery?" Eliza asked, her voice tense with worry.

"The tumor is in a risky location. This type of surgery requires a top neurosurgeon, and unfortunately, Falconridge Hospital doesn't have one." The doctor's words felt like a death sentence for Mikey.