His Destructive, Toxic Love

The Pinotti family wasn't rolling in dough, but somehow, they scraped together enough to get Nova a joint replacement surgery.

But luck wasn't on their side. The hospital back then just didn't have the chops, and the surgery bombed. Nova was left with a limp, and the meds they pumped her with messed up her heart and kidneys, making it impossible for her to ever have kids.

Casper knew deep down that another surgery on Nova's leg would be a lost cause, but that didn't stop him from scouring the globe to find a solution for her.

When you loved someone, it was crystal clear.

When you didn't, it was even clearer.

"I'll leave you to your work," Eliza said, turning to Aaron. "I'm heading out."

"Okay."

Eliza was just about to step away when Nova's voice, sweet and lilting like a nightingale's song, called out to her, "Eliza."

Eliza took a deep breath, trying to keep her cool as she turned back around.

"I told Casper it was you, but he thought I was mistaken." Nova leaned into Casper, her face a picture of pure innocence. "Eliza, don't get the wrong idea. Casper's just here to help me pick up my medical records. You know my leg's not great."

Eliza felt a stab of bitterness in her chest. "Yeah, Casper is always so helpful, not just to you," she said.

Nova's smile faltered. "Yes, Casper is a good man."

A good man? How ironic.

As Casper helped Nova inside, he turned to Aaron. "Did you find the medical records?"

"Still looking," Aaron replied, clearly flustered.

"Why are we wasting time here then?"

Nova didn't forget to say goodbye to Eliza as they went in. "We'll be heading inside."

Eliza caught a glimpse of Casper's tender care for Nova, and her eyes filled with tears.

The man she had poured her heart and soul into was giving all his gentleness to someone else.

Friday rolled around.

Eliza made her way to Mercy Hospital. The place was locked down tight, with high walls and electric fences that screamed "no way out."

She recognized a lot of faces there-once-famous celebrities, trust fund kids who were always in the news, and some officials she'd seen on TV.

It was even more complicated than she had thought. Getting Robin out of this hospital on her own would be a Herculean task.

She took a number and was led to a cold, empty room. There weren't many visitors and those who were there looked like they had the weight of the world on their shoulders. "Number 04, has Robin's family arrived?"

"I... I am here," Eliza said, raising her number excitedly. "I'm number 04."

The staff member barely glanced at her. "Follow me."

Eliza trailed behind the staff, navigating a labyrinth of hallways and stairs, until they finally reached a room with just a table in it.

"Wait here."

"Oh, okay."

She sat down, nerves jangling, clinging to her bag like a lifeline.

Ten minutes later, Robin was wheeled in.

"You've got half an hour, so make it quick," the staff member said before leaving.

Robin was in the wheelchair looking like a shadow of himself-vacant eyes, hunched shoulders, bent back, hollow cheeks, and patchy stubble. Eliza's heart broke, and her eyes filled with tears. "Robin," she said, kneeling in front of him, her voice gentle.

"Robin, can you hear me?" She took his large hand into hers, rubbing it gently, her eyes brimming with tears. "Have they been mistreating you? Tell me."

"Robin, what did they do to you? Why are you like this? Please, say something."

"I'm your sister. Look at me. Did they hurt you? Are they not feeding you? Did they do something to you?"