His Destructive, Toxic Love

Aaron knew exactly what Eliza was getting at. He gently wrapped her hand in the bandage. "Jeffrey's body is really giving out."

"So, when do you need to take my blood?"

Aaron was caught off guard and looked up. "Who told you we needed your blood?"

"Do you even need to ask?" she replied. She couldn't have children, and the Welton family didn't want to lose Jeffrey. Using her blood seemed like the only option. "I just want to know when." "You and Casper need to hurry up and have a child. There's still time."

"It's impossible for him and me to have children." Aaron knew her condition. "Aaron, if you really need my blood, does that mean I won't survive?"

In medicine, nothing was certain. But completely replacing someone's blood could very likely mean...

"If it's a life for a life, would you be willing to go through with it?" he asked, staring into her eyes.

Eliza sighed. "Do I really have a choice?"

"What if you did have a choice?"

"I wouldn't want to."

Wasn't every life valuable? But how could her insignificant life escape the clutches of those in power?

Aaron didn't know how to comfort her. In the end, he just said, "You need to trust Casper. He won't let something so absurd happen."

In the hospital room, Tristan was fuming, taking in Zach's battered up face after he'd been beaten to a mess. He yelled at Casper in front of Jeffrey and his wife Audrey.

"What are you trying to do, kill him?" Tristan's fingers shook with anger. "I invited him here. If you want to hit someone, hit me. Take your anger out on me. Come on."

Jeffrey had initially wanted Zach to be acknowledged before he passed away. Tristan's attitude squashed that idea. In the Welton family, a bastard child could never overshadow the legitimate heir. Tristan had forgotten this.

"Is it appropriate for you to talk to his son like that?" Jeffrey coughed twice from his bed.

With hands on his hips, Tristan still didn't think he was wrong. "Dad, you spoiled Casper. Zach did nothing wrong, but..."

"Zach's biggest mistake was showing up," Casper said, glaring at Tristan. "Did you bring him here to give him a share of the Welton estate or all of it? My mother isn't dead yet, and here comes the child of a mistress? If that third-rate celebrity hadn't died, would my mother have to step aside for her?"

"You, you..." Tristan was choking with anger. "Dad, this is your precious grandson. Does he look like the heir of the Welton family?"

Just then, Aaron and Eliza walked in.

Eliza saw Audrey wiping away tears and walked over to gently support her.

With Aaron, an outsider, present, Tristan dropped the argument and left with Zach.

Finally, the room quieted down. Audrey grabbed Eliza's hand, shocked. "How did you hurt your hand?"

"Just a little burn, it's nothing, Mom."

Audrey had spent her life dealing with her husband's infidelities, mistresses, and illegitimate children. Arguments, injuries, hospital stays-she hadn't missed any of the pains of womanhood. As a woman, Audrey knew these lies all too well, having told them her whole life.

"You are holding it all in, child."

Casper's gaze darkened as he looked at Eliza's bandaged hand, then turned to Aaron. "Did you take care of the burns for her?"