His Destructive, Toxic Love novel Chapter 456

Her reasons sounded logical, calm, and detached.

"Is it not to avoid me?" Casper's voice suddenly deepened, as if he was holding back some emotion.

Eliza wasn't one to lie, but sometimes being too blunt didn't help.

"Not really."

"In a few days, I'll be heading to Oak Falls for business. Is there anything you'd like me to bring back? Something you need or haven't had a chance to buy?" He wanted to give her a gift, but worried she might refuse. "Or maybe something you've been meaning to get but just haven't yet?"

Eliza never liked asking for things.

Especially not from Casper.

"I don't need anything. If you're coming for work, try not to find me. It's better we keep our distance to avoid any misunderstandings with your significant other."

She really feared Susan might tag along with Casper to Oak Falls and cause a scene.

Her life revolved around Oak Falls; she dreaded the rumors, the unnecessary misunderstandings. She had her pride.

Silence followed.

It seemed like he was trying to figure out how to explain the engagement.

"Do you... understand a relationship of mutual benefit, where each party uses the other to their advantage?"

Eliza: ...???

What did he mean?

"I don't get it."

"What I mean is, my engagement to Susan is just a business move. The Torres family gets what they want, and I get what I want. As for... her liking me, that's her business, her freedom. I don't like her, and the engagement will be called off sooner or later."

Eliza didn't understand what a business move was.

She couldn't even grasp why marriage had to mix with interests.

Mutual use?

It sounded both terrifying and ridiculous.

"Casper, I really don't understand your lifestyle, and I don't want to. Just live peacefully with Susan. She likes you, so love her back and stop coming to me. We've signed the divorce agreement. Once I'm through this busy period, let's finalize our divorce."

"Since leaving the Henderson family, I've never been back to France, not even to Southeast Asia."

Juan knew she had had a tough few years.

He wanted to encourage her to open up, but he knew advice could sometimes become a burden.

"I'm not saying you must accept Casper. If you meet another good man, you don't have to close yourself off. Being brave enough to live alone with a child means you have the courage to face a new life."

He always hoped she would find someone to be with.

But Eliza had long given up on that idea. "Living alone with a child is actually quite happy. It's not as lonely as you might think. On the contrary, without all the trivial matters, it's fulfilling and joyful."

Juan smiled. He respected and supported all her decisions.

"By the way, you're now an internationally renowned artist. How about giving me a painting to keep? Someday, it might sell for a big price, Ms. MOMO."

Eliza laughed, "In this world, you're the best at making fun of me."

"Far from it, far from it. In front of Ms. MOMO, how dare I?"

They shared a laugh, a moment that seemed to transport them back to the happiest days of their childhood...