His Destructive, Toxic Love

He was nearly hysterical, his large hand squeezing Eliza's neck painfully. She couldn't help but frown, "I don't understand you, and honestly, I don't want to. This is a hospital. Let me go now."

"Do you think I'd hurt you?" He suddenly let go, a look of loss crossing his face as he laughed bitterly. "You think I'm a freak, just like they do. Yes, I'm a freak, crazier than Casper, but I... I won't be like him. I will never hurt you." Eliza stared at Zach's unsettling face, taking several steps back. He said he wouldn't hurt her? Did he even believe that himself? How could someone who stops at nothing to achieve his goals ever feel compassion for others? She shook her head, "No, Zach, you will. Stop now while you still can."

She knew her words likely wouldn't reach someone with Zach's obsessive personality, but she couldn't afford to get entangled in the Welton International power struggle. Her gaze softened, yet remained sincere, "Zach, you really can be as wonderful as you were meant to be. Don't make more mistakes. Start a new life, a good life. You'll find someone who loves you, and have a happy family. Even if you're the talk of the town and not the focus of the Welton family, you can still be the center of your lover's and children's world, can't you?" Zach laughed again, but this time it was a laugh tinged with bitterness and helplessness. Eliza couldn't see how much hurt was hidden in that laugh. In truth, he was also a pitiful person.

When Eliza got home from the hospital, her heart was still pounding. She decided she probably wouldn't go out for a while. Falconridge news was filled with updates about Welton International every day. She only knew the battle for succession was fierce and bloody.

A month later, Caroline brought Brock over to see Eliza. "Brock's gotten used to living at the Welton family mansion. Audrey absolutely adores her little grandson. Sometimes she ignores everything else just to take care of him."

"Mom's really changed. She's all energetic and happy, always smiling now," Caroline said, shaking her head with a satisfied smile.

Eliza smiled too, "I didn't expect mom to like Brock so much."

"She treats him like a young Casper, but Brock is much better behaved."

Brock tugged gently on Eliza's sleeve. "Mommy, a lady came to grandma's house. She plays with me too."

"What lady?" Eliza asked, gently stroking his face.

Brock thought for a moment, "A young and pretty lady. She looks a lot like you."

Eliza looked up in confusion and turned to Caroline. "Sis, what lady?"Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"It's..." Caroline hesitated but then decided to be straightforward. "It's the girl Grandpa arranged for Casper to marry twenty years ago. She just turned twenty this year and came looking for us."

Eliza was momentarily stunned. An arranged marriage? Her expression turned slightly awkward. She forced a smile, trying to sound casual, "Then he and that girl, they must be getting married, right?"

"They haven't met yet. You know how Casper is, not really into dating,"

Caroline said, clearly uninterested in meddling in Casper's affairs. He'll do whatever he wants."

"If it's right, they'll settle down. It's about time," Eliza said, picking up her coffee and taking a light sip.