His Destructive, Toxic Love novel Chapter 556

"Stop pretending, the truth will come out soon enough." Her expression was icy, lips drawn tight as she silently seethed with anger. "Why are you so desperate to make me lose the baby? What's your angle here?"

"What do you think my angle is?" He casually pulled up a chair, settling in front of her hospital bed, legs crossed in a relaxed, almost lazy manner.

His calm demeanor only confirmed what she'd suspected all along. He was the one behind the poisoning.

Eliza's gaze turned colder. "Are you seriously questioning me?"

Manuel raised an eyebrow, his face as composed as ever. "Aren't you the one suspecting me? Tell me, what do you think my motive is for wanting to harm you and your child?"

"Manuel, we've got no beef. I can't figure out why you'd want to harm me."

She knew there had to be a reason, but for the life of her, she couldn't see it.

"So, you can't think of a reason, yet you're so sure it's me? Is this how you treat a friend who's been nothing but real with you, Eliza?"

Eliza was taken aback. Was he really flipping this on her? Or just mocking her for not having a clue?

Whatever his game was, she knew Manuel wasn't exactly Mr. Nice Guy.

"Maybe I'm just not lucky enough to be friends with Mr. Manuel." If he wouldn't come clean, she'd let the police handle it. "Please, Mr. Manuel, I need you to leave. I need to rest."

Manuel took a deep breath, gritting his teeth as he stood up, placing his hands on either side of her, suddenly boxing her in.

His face was so close she could feel his breath, and it made her heart race with fear. "What are you doing?"

Eliza was utterly bewildered. What was this story? Had he lied about his family all along? The tales of his parents being teachers, being an only child—were they just for show?

She searched his bloodshot eyes for some truth.

Then, almost crazed, he gripped her shoulders, words spilling out in agony. "Do you know who did it? Your ex-husband, Casper."

Eliza was floored. Casper? How was he involved in this?

"Let go, you're hurting me," she winced, trying to pull away.

"It hurts? Well, tough luck," Manuel's face twisted with grief. "It was such a beautiful summer trip. Why did that boat have to sink? Why?"