His Destructive, Toxic Love

Suddenly, a clear, innocent child's voice rang out like a bolt from the blue above her head.

"Mr. Casper, why did you kiss my mom?"

The little guy's big, fluffy eyes blinked twice, glimmering with curiosity.

The two adults sprang apart as if jolted by electricity, caught off guard and clueless.

Casper managed to keep his composure, being a man, his skin wasn't as thin, though a flicker of embarrassment danced in his eyes.

Eliza, on the other hand, felt her face heat up like a kid caught red-handed.

Even her dainty earlobes turned a tender shade of red.

She tried to explain, but the words got stuck in her throat, refusing to come out.

Her fingers fidgeted restlessly, twirling a lock of hair at her forehead in a futile attempt to hide her embarrassment.

"Mommy..." the little guy called out.

"Huh?" Eliza pressed a hand to her wildly beating heart, stammering, "That... Mommy and Mr. Casper... weren't... kissing."

"But your lips were stuck together," the little guy blinked his clear, wide eyes in confusion, then turned to Casper, asking in his sweet, innocent voice, "Mr. Casper, are you bullying my mom?"

"Not at all." Casper, unsure how to explain adult behavior to a child, said, "Brock, actually, Mr. Casper likes your mommy, so... kissing... it's a way to show love."

"But... Ms. Luna said boys shouldn't just kiss girls, and if they do, they have to take responsibility," the little guy stated earnestly.

Eliza was sweating bullets.

It was all Casper's fault. Kissing her was one thing, but letting Brock see it was another.

Would her son think she was an improper woman?

Casper seemed to read her thoughts. He bent down, looking Brock earnestly in the eyes, and promised, "I'll take responsibility, I absolutely will, okay?" Take responsibility for what?

She didn't need that.

Eliza, speechless, took Brock's hand and led him to the living room.

She carefully straightened his slightly wrinkled clothes from sleep.

The little guy's hair was still damp.

She wiped the sweat off his forehead with tender love in her eyes.

"Sweetheart, how about mommy takes you home now?"

"But Mr. Casper said he'd take me to eat yummy food, stuff I've never had before Brock wants to go," thedittle guy looked up at Casper, his face bright with anticipation.

"Mr. Casper is hurt. Let mommy cook something delicious at home, okay?" Eliza tried to coax the little guy, eager to take him home.

But the man standing nearby spoke softly, "My injury isn't serious, just a meal, no problem."

Eliza: ...???

Hearing that they could go for delicious food, Brock's eyes lit up instantly, his small body wriggling with excitement.

He happily jumped into Casper's arms, "Mr. Casper, you keep your promises. I like you."

"Then let's invite mommy to join us, shall we?" Casper seized the moment to suggest.

"Yes, yes." The little guy ran back to Eliza, grabbing her hand, "Mommy, let's go eat something yummy together."

Seeing the little guy's excitement, Eliza's heart softened. Unwilling to dampen his spirits, she nodded.

Casper changed into a fresh outfit,

Aside from the visible injury on his

palm, the others were hidden by his

well-fitted clothes, barely noticeable.

He gently draped his arm around her shoulders, his smile carrying a hint of plea, "Let's go, I've already booked the restaurant."

"Casper, you did this on purpose,

didn't you? With your injuries, shouldn't you just rest at the hotel for a bit?" she shrugged off his hand from her shoulder.