His Destructive, Toxic Love

The wind was downright fierce, whipping the rain every which way. Once she was soaked through, she couldn't stop shivering from the cold. Casper watched everything and stubbed out his cigarette with a scowl.

One of the staff in charge of coordination jogged up to Casper and reported, "Mr. Casper, the kitchen's almost ready. Should I bring in the takeout?"

"Open the door, let her in, and have her wait in the courtyard."

"Yes, sir."

The coordinator didn't dare ask more questions and quickly opened the villa's door.

When the door opened, Eliza hurriedly picked up the food container and dashed inside, braving the rain. This delay had taken too long. She wasn't worried about missing out on more deliveries; she was worried that the food would get cold, leading to a bad review.

Her phone rang. She set down the food container and answered, "Hello? Wait in the courtyard? But there's no shelter here. I don't mind getting wet, but what about the food... Oh, alright, please hurry." Eliza was left to wait under the steps in front of the villa's door. The rain was pouring, and her raincoat was flapping wildly in the wind.

Suddenly, the door swung open. She was just about to complete her delivery when she saw Nova's face.

"Well, if it isn't Eliza."

Eliza's steps halted abruptly. "Nova?"

"Yep, it's my birthday today." Nova looked every bit like a fairy-tale princess dressed in a white gown. Her hair was styled in luscious waves, and a tiny crown was perched on her head. Her usual crutches were replaced with ones covered in rhinestones to match her elegant attire. "But don't get it twisted. It wasn't me who didn't let the staff pick up the food; it was Casper's orders."

Was Casper here, too?

Eliza scoffed. How could Nova's grand birthday bash be without her husband's presence?

Eliza hadn't seen Casper in over a month, but gossip about him and Nova kept popping up in ads on her phone.

"Eliza, Casper specifically chose this villa for my birthday. Isn't it beautiful? I absolutely love it."

Nova's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Eliza clenched her teeth. "Nova, I've worn those old shoes, and you seem to fit them just fine." Nova was taken aback, her face souring. She was about to retort when Casper approached.

He looked even angrier than Nova, having probably heard Eliza's remark.

She met his furious gaze. "Would you please have someone take the meals? If they get cold, they won't taste good."

Just as Eliza was about to step up, Casper's cold voice stopped her. "Stay there."

She froze, looking up to meet his eyes. The rain mercilessly pelted her face, blurring her vision.

"We don't want the meal anymore."

He had made her wait in the pouring rain for nearly an hour, and now he was just dismissing it?

"Why?" Eliza was stunned, her voice tightening.

"Casper, don't be mean. Look how hard Eliza worked to deliver in the rain. Delivery fees are hard to earn," Nova interjected, playing the peacemaker gloatingly.

"The food's cold."

"It was your failure to receive it on time, and besides, the food is insulated. Even if it's cold, it can be reheated."

Casper mocked, "I spent over twenty grand on this meal, and you want me to reheat it?"

Eliza stood in the rain and stared at the face that had become so foreign to her. This was the man she had loved for six whole years.

He was mercilessly pushing her to her limits.