His Destructive, Toxic Love

Eliza hadn't shared her pregnancy news with anyone besides Casper's unseen spirit and the Welton family. After spending a couple of days at the old Welton mansion and taking Brock to preschool, she made her way back to Oak Falls.

Brock was too young to grasp what death meant, so she simply told him Casper had gone abroad and might not be back for a while. Back in Oak Falls, her days were a blur of monotony, her belly gradually growing. She was so slender that it barely showed, especially with her loose clothing concealing her pregnancy well.

By the time she hit five months, she decided to take an extended leave from her teaching job, figuring she'd think about work again after the baby was born. Moving back to Falconridge seemed like a smart move; it would save her from the weekly back-and-forth of dropping Brock off. So, she busied herself packing.

When the doorbell rang, she got up to answer it, surprised to see Manuel standing there. It had been ages since they'd last crossed paths. "Hey...what brings you here?"

His eyes traveled from her face to her maternity dress, which highlighted her youthful glow. "I heard...you took some time off."

"Yeah," she replied, inviting him in without hesitation. "I'm planning to head to Falconridge for a bit."

"You're...pregnant?" he asked, glancing again at her dress.

Eliza felt a slight wave of embarrassment but remained open. "Yes, it's Casper's child."

The words "Casper's child" seemed to hang in the air, tender yet tinged with sadness. Manuel looked at her with a mix of emotions. "Do you really have to go to Falconridge?"

"Brock's there, and with the baby coming, I'd rather not keep traveling back and forth. It's just easier." She offered a soft smile.

Manuel couldn't argue with that logic, nor could he ask her to change her plans. "When do you leave?" he asked, the question heavy in the air.

After finishing her packing, Eliza stood up, easing a slight tension in her back. "Tomorrow, I think."

"Actually..." he started, hesitating. "I could come with you, help out."

Eliza was caught off guard. Help her? Manuel didn't owe her anything. "That's kind, but I'm okay."

"Why do you keep pushing me away?" He looked a bit hurt, emotions flickering across his features. "I didn't mean anything by it."

"}

"It's not about pushing you away..." she tried to explain, knowing she couldn't give him what he wanted. "Manuel, right now, I can't think about marriage again. I appreciate your kindness, but I don't want to

hotel you back."

It was better to be clear. Nobody offers kindness without expecting something in return. She knew what Manuel hoped for, but she couldn't give it to him.

Manuel struggled to find the right

words. He wasn't just being

ve

generous; he wanted a future with her. Her pregnancy was a shock he hadn't expected. Their connection was brief, without a strong emotional tie. He didn't know the full story of her and her late husband, but he guessed it was a mix of love and heartache.

For him to step into her life and replace someone she had lost wasn't simple for her. And Eliza wasn't ready to take that step either. "What's there to hold back? I'm in my thirties; I'm not worried about that," he laughed, a hint of self-deprecation in his voice.

Eliza saw things differently. Manuel

was a great catch, and the only reason he hadn't settled down was that few matched his caliber. And

she, now with a child on the way,

didn't see how she could fit into that

Kone

picture.

She didn't want to dwell on this topic anymore; she was nearly done packing. "Honestly, don't worry about me. Falconridge is home, and I've got plenty of friends there. I won't be alone."