His Destructive, Toxic Love

"Yeah, I've caught wind of some troubling stuff and got worried about you..." His eyes were full of concern, and he gave a slight, tense smile. "But you seem to be doing alright."

"Those who are gone are gone, and the rest of us have to keep on living," she said, trying to smile but not quite managing it.

Manuel nodded, his voice gentle, "If there's ever anything you need, just say the word. I'm here to help."

"Thanks."

Michael had been sneaking a listen from the kitchen. Once Manuel wrapped up his polite goodbyes and left, Michael emerged.

"This guy's got a crush on you, huh?"

Eliza shrugged it off, "Just a blind date."

"A blind date?"

No way, she actually went on blind dates? When did that happen?

"Before I decided to give it another shot with Casper," she clarified.

Michael was floored, flopping down next to Eliza on the couch with such enthusiasm that he nearly bounced her off. "This guy seems like quite the catch. Meeting someone like him on a blind date? You've got some serious luck." "Lucky, but not in the ways that count," she shot back with a smirk.

Michael chuckled, "If this guy's cool with being a stepdad, maybe it's worth thinking about."

"Yeah, right."

Eliza wasn't having it. Even if Manuel did fancy her, the idea of him stepping in to help raise her two kids seemed far-fetched. With all his options, why would he settle? She brushed it off.

"Hey, he might be up for it, you never know."

"Rather than dragging someone else into this, I might as well..." Eliza let her eyes land playfully on Michael, "...drag you into it."

"Me? An uncle? That's hardly a burden. Just a couple of kids." He puffed his chest out, "Piece of cake."

Eliza just rolled her eyes, "Forget I said anything."

"Let's eat," Michael said, heading to the kitchen.

Eliza's phone buzzed on the table. It was a message from Manuel. It was full of encouraging words, carefully chosen and as polite as could be. She typed back a quick thank you and left it at that.

Michael stayed with Eliza for nearly two weeks before getting ready to head back to France. Right before he left, he handed her a bank card. "It's not much, just for emergencies."

Eliza hesitated, "I have money."

"It's not about that. This is from me.

Take it." He pressed the card into her hand, holding it firmly. "Try to stay

positive. When you're ready, talk to

Brock about his dad. He's young and needs time to understand. And

make sure you're taking care of yourself, alright?" Content, belongs to FindNovel

Eliza suddenly felt a lump in her throat.

She and Michael had grown up together. Michael was the carefree type, always goofing around, but e when it counted, he never let anyone down He was smart, good-looking, and had been a heartthrob since middle school.

But all his affection and indulgence were reserved for her.

To outsiders, it seemed like they were a couple.

Only she knew that Michael's special attention was because of his sister, who'd died in a car accident. He poured all the love he couldn't give to his sister onto her.

Always there whenever she needed him.

She understood it all and cherished him for it.

"I know, you take care too. On Mu Chu's anniversary, I'll go visit her and tell her how much you miss her. Don't worry about it."

Eliza wrapped Michael in a big hug.

He nodded, feeling both touched and relieved, "Thanks for everything, all these years."

"Stop being so sappy."