His Destructive, Toxic Love

Eliza lifted Robin's shirt, her eyes scanning his body for any signs of harm. Rumors swirled about this hospital being a front for an underground organ trafficking ring, and she was terrified of what could happen to her brother.

"Thank goodness, they haven't touched you yet. Don't worry. I'll find a way to get you out of here. Just take care of yourself, okay?" she reassured him.

Robin remained silent, his eyes vacant, like a puppet devoid of strings. He neither spoke nor caused any trouble, neither cried nor laughed. Only as they were being separated did he whisper, "Don't worry about me."

Robin was led away, and Eliza was forced out of the hospital.

That evening, Eliza returned to the home she shared with Casper. He lounged in the living room, his pajama top lazily unbuttoned, exuding a casual yet magnetic allure. His fingers played with a glass of red wine, swirling it slowly, lost in his own thoughts.

Eliza approached him cautiously, her posture humble, her voice soft. "Casper, please, let my brother go. I'm begging you."

Casper suddenly laughed, a cold, disinterested sound. "Doesn't he like where he lives?"

"That place isn't fit for anyone," she pleaded, sinking to her knees. "It could drive anyone insane. He's already lost the function of his legs. Can't you show a little mercy?"

"It's just treatment, Eliza. I'm not killing him," Casper replied, one hand toying with the wine glass, the other gripping her chin. "What's got you so worked up?"

"He's not sick in the head. He's a normal kid. Why are you trying to break him? If this is about Nova, then take it out on me."

Casper was obsessed with blaming the Pinotti family for Nova's condition, and Eliza was ready to bear the brunt of it.

"You? Ha." He pushed her away roughly, finishing his wine in one gulp.

Eliza wiped her tears, her voice steady but desperate. "Set your terms. Just let my brother go."

"What right do you have to negotiate with me?" His eyes gleamed with disdain. "Eliza, do you really think you're all that?"All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

She knew she was nothing to him. She had no illusions about her worth in his eyes.

"Whatever you want, I'll do it," she said, swallowing her pride and gently holding his arm. "If you want my life, take it. Just spare Robin."

Casper swung his hand, sending the wine bottle crashing to the marble floor. Glass shards scattered like a macabre rose in the pool of red wine.

She looked up, meeting his gaze, and she got it. He wanted her to feel Nova's pain.

Without hesitation, she knelt on the shattered glass. The shards pierced her knees, and the stabbing pain made her clench her eyes shut. Her fingers curled into trembling fists, blood seeping through her beige pants.

"Sir," Marian interrupted, rushing in with the cordless phone. "Ms. Nova is on the line."

Casper took the phone, exchanged a few words, grabbed his coat, and headed out. Before leaving, he turned to Eliza. "You figure out the divorce first. Then we'll talk about Robin."

As Casper's car drove away, Marian hurried to help Eliza up. "Ma'am, why do this to yourself?”

As she watched the blood on the floor, Marian's heart ached. 'How could any couple live like this?'

Eliza, barely able to stand, requested, "Marian, please, get me the first aid kit."