His Destructive, Toxic Love

John was sure of it. Eliza was going to keep the baby. Raising one child as a single mom was tough enough, and now she had another on the way. "Does the Welton family know about this?" he asked.

"I've been wrestling with whether to tell them," she replied, clearly torn. This pregnancy was personal, but since the baby was Casper's, it wasn't just her business. Honestly, whether she told them or not, she'd still be the one raising the child, so what difference would it make?

John's brow furrowed with concern. "Why don't you come to France? I'll help you with the kids. It's hard enough for one person to do it alone, and I can't just stand by and watch."

"Casper left enough money for them," she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

John's worry deepened. Was money really enough to raise a child? She had raised Brock on her own, so she knew it took more than just cash. He got it, though; now wasn't the time to press the issue. Some things needed a gentle touch to get through to Eliza. "I've taken some time off work. I'll be by your side, whether we stay here in Falconridge or head back to Oak Falls. I'm here for you," John said, patting his chest confidently.

Eliza felt a wave of gratitude. She leaned against his shoulder, her eyes distant and sad. "John, don't worry about me. I'll get through this. Casper... he was never any good. I'll get over him, right?"

Eliza blinked wearily. "He really messed up my life."

"He definitely wasn't a good guy," John replied with a bittersweet smile. Forgetting someone who had left such a mark on her heart was easier said than done. It was just self-deception.

"Then let's hope in the next life, you meet someone who loves you completely and grows old with you."

John would trade all his future luck for her happiness in the next life.

"In the next life, I won't run into him again," she said. No matter how much love or hate this life held, in the next, she'd steer clear of all the places he had been. "John, I'm so tired. I just want to sleep forever." "Dream on, silly," he chuckled.

Eliza fell asleep on John's shoulder, and he stayed perfectly still to keep her comfortable.

When Eliza returned to Oak Falls, John went with her. The locals had no idea what she'd been through. She went about her days, working and coming home, and John took good care of her, offering support and guidance. Slowly, her wounded heart began to heal.

The doorbelt rang. John, still in his apron, event to answer it and

to see a man sta aset

there. Content belon Wat

"Who are you?" John asked.

"Who are you?" came the reply.

Manuel gave a polite smile. "Hi, I'm Eliza's friend. I came to check on her. Is she home?"

"She is," John replied, spatula in hand,

fing up the man. "Eliza's

friend, huh? Haven't heard of

before."

"I'm Manuel. I heard about her ex-husband's troubles and got worried, so I thought I'd stop by." Manuel was the picture of politeness, leaving John no room to deny him entry, even if he wanted to. "Eliza, someone's here for you!" he called into the house.

Eliza emerged from the bedroom, slightly surprised to see Manuel. "Manuel?"

"I came to see how you're doing," he said, carrying a bag of fruit and some supplements.

Eliza poured him a cup of hot tea and invited him to sit. "Did you hear something?"