His Destructive, Toxic Love novel Chapter 522

"With Manuel," she admitted openly.

A subtle frown flickered across the man's face before it transformed into a sarcastic grin. "Italian food, huh? Must've been pretty good."

Eliza was caught off guard. He knew she had gone out with Manuel.

It was clear he was just trying to stir things up. "Are you stalking me now?"

"No need for that. Just a quick phone call and I know what's up," he replied coolly, taking another drag from his cigarette and exhaling slowly.

Eliza smirked slightly, "Maybe next time, I'll bring you along."

"You're quite the generous one," he chuckled dryly.

Eliza couldn't quite grasp what his problem was. Her good mood quickly turned sour. "It's just dinner. What's the big deal?"

"Eliza, it's not just any dinner. It's dinner with Manuel," he said, his eyes filled with confusion and a hint of reproach. "I spent the whole day discussing Robin's surgery with Dr. Peels. I haven't eaten a thing, and I made dinner waiting for you. Instead, you went out with him. Couldn't you at least have given me a heads-up?"

Eliza realized she had been a bit thoughtless.

She was so used to her own routine, it didn't occur to her that Casper would be waiting to have dinner together.

Her gaze softened with an apology, "The reason I had dinner with Manuel is because..."

She wanted to explain.

But Casper's stormy expression killed her desire to continue.

Never mind.

"From now on, don't wait up for me. You don't need to feel put out. We agreed not to interfere in each other's lives."

"So, not coming home for dinner or letting each other know our plans is interference now? Eliza, don't you get that I'm worried about you? How can you be so..."

He nearly said "heartless," but swallowed it back.

Eliza didn't buy his concern.

He was just upset she went out with Manuel, assuming they might be up to something.

He had always been like this, suspicious.

"Are you really worried about me, or are you just thinking I ran off to sleep with Manuel?"

Was he not even allowed to ask?

Did he have no right to know?

Frustrated, he raised his foot to kick the trash can but set it down gently instead.

Damn it, the woman he chose was driving him crazy, and yet he had to put up with it.

"Eliza, can't we talk instead of hiding in separate rooms every time we're upset?"

"Eliza, can't we try to be less hot-headed?"

"Eliza?"

He stood outside the bedroom door, knocking.

Inside, she had already put on her headphones, cutting herself off from the world.

After what seemed like ages, Eliza finally removed her headphones and emerged from the bedroom.

Casper sat on the couch, eyes red, watching her intently, not blinking once...