His Destructive, Toxic Love

For the past two years, while being married to Casper, Eliza wasn't allowed to work, yet he refused to give her any money for household expenses.

She had to eat whatever the servants made, and if they took a day off, she'd be stuck with leftovers or go hungry. It was absurd.-

"Hang on for a sec; I need to make a call," Eliza said.

Stepping into a corner, Eliza scrolled through her contacts to Casper's name, hesitated for a moment, then kept scrolling on.

"Chelsea, it's me."

"Elle?" The woman on the other end sounded surprised, her voice rising. "You finally decided to reach out."

"Sorry." Eliza composed herself. "Can you do me a favor?"

Chelsea's voice tightened. "What's going on?"

"My mom's hospital bills are due, and I don't have the money. I was hoping you could..." Eliza rarely showed her vulnerable side, but she was desperate. Chelsea responded quickly, "How much do you need? I'll send it to you."

"No, no." Eliza studied the bracelet adorning her wrist, captivated by its exceptional clarity and exquisite craftsmanship. "I was hoping you could help me sell my bracelet. I know you have the connections to get a good price for it."

There was a moment of silence on the other end.

Chelsea was Eliza's best friend. She knew more than anyone else that Eliza and Casper weren't happily married. But she never imagined Eliza to become so financially strapped that she needed to sell her jewelry to pay her bills.

Despite feelings of injustice, Chelsea swallowed anger. "Okay, I'll help you."

The bracelet was a wedding gift from Casper's mother to Eliza. It was the only valuable thing Eliza had.

Chelsea managed to sell it for $250,000, just enough to cover the hospital bills. After settling the bills, Eliza transferred her mom to a local hospital. The medical facilities weren't the best, but they were sufficient enough to keep her stable.

After handling everything, Eliza felt exhausted and returned home.

Sitting on the bed in her beautiful, spacious, and sunny bedroom, Eliza felt no reluctance to leave. Two years in this house were enough.

After packing her bags, she headed downstairs.

Marian noticed and, sensing trouble, asked, "Ma'am, where are you going? Does Mr. Casper know?"

Before Eliza could respond, the glare of headlights flashed through the glass of the floor-to-ceiling windows, followed by the sound of a car engine shutting off.

Casper's polished dress shoes were the first thing Eliza saw. Marian, sensing the mood, quietly withdrew.

Casper was dressed in a meticulous black suit, and his handsome facial features were shadowed yet steady and reserved under the lamplight. His gaze fell on the two suitcases in Eliza's hands, his brows furrowing.

Watching Eliza before him, he said, "Throwing a tantrum?"

"No." She didn't look up, her voice cold.

"What's this about then?" Casper took out the bracelet Eliza had just sold and slammed it onto the table.

Eliza didn't know how the bracelet ended up back with Casper. She simply replied, "I sold it."Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

"Sold it?" He was furious, his hand gripping Eliza's neck. "Who gave you the right to sell this bracelet?"

"It's mine. Why can't I sell it?"

For the first time, Eliza spoke up to him with such firmness.