"Fast asleep," Fiona sighed softly, barely audible. "Ever since Dylan donated his bone marrow to Brock, he's been snoozing a lot more. I can't help but worry if it's affecting his health."

"I've got the doctors at Welton Hospital keeping a close eye on Dylan's health for a year. No need to fret." Medically speaking, donating bone marrow shouldn't have any lasting effects. But with Dylan being so young, it's only natural for Fiona, as a mom, to have concerns. All he could do was put her mind at ease. "You're always so good at handling things," Fiona said, her thoughts drifting back in time, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "I remember in college, you were already more mature and meticulous than anyone else. It's still a mystery to me how, with all those girls swooning over you, you never had a girlfriend." Casper was a bit of a late bloomer in the romance department. Before meeting Eliza, he hadn't even dipped his toes into the dating pool.

Back then, he was all about the business hustle.

"There was just never anyone who caught my eye," he replied, shrugging it off.

"You were handsome and a bit of a perfectionist, so it makes sense no girl seemed to measure up,"

Fiona's expression softened in the light. "I remember Rory saying that if you ever tied the knot, she'd have

to either love you fiercely or understand you completely."

"Love is about giving, not taking," Casper wasn't thrilled about diving into a love talk, but since Fiona

brought it up, he felt he had to share a bit. "My wife is someone I'd give everything for."

Fiona's smile wavered.

She glanced away awkwardly. "It's getting late, I should get some rest."

"Fiona," he called out gently, hoping she'd see that no favor was worth abandoning his family for. "My wife and I have been through so much together..."

"Let's catch up tomorrow, I'm pretty beat."

Fiona hurried upstairs, not wanting to hear Casper's refusal, not giving him the chance to.

She was the epitome of a devoted wife and mom. Every morning, she'd rise early to whip up breakfast for Casper and Dylan.

She'd wave Casper off with a smile as his car pulled away, before heading back inside.

Then it was off to school interviews for Dylan.

Meanwhile, Eliza was neck-deep in launching her jewelry company.

On a lucky day, the jewelry company officially opened its doors. The

thirteenth floor was a world of its own secured with access control.

Even Casper, despite his clout at Welton International, couldn't stroll in. He knew she was keeping her distance.

But he had to see her.

Left with no other choice, he reached out to Roberts, asking him to lure Eliza to the registry office.

When Eliza arrived expecting Roberts but found Casper instead, she knew she'd been set up.

"Elle, don't leave," Casper grabbed her wrist, pulling her close. "Please, hear me out."

"In broad daylight, Mr. Casper, are you trying to start something?" Eliza struggled, but his grip was firm. "Let me go."

"Yeah, this might look bad here. Let's chat in the car."

With his strength, Casper scooped her up and gently placed her in the car.

Seeing Eliza fuming, Casper tried to soften the moment with a grin. "I really do have something important to tell you."

"Then just say it." She was in no mood for his antics.noveldrama

"Why have you been ghosting me all this time?" He hadn't laid eyes on her for nearly a month, and he missed her like crazy. "Do you have any idea how much I've been thinking about you?"

"Thinking about me?" Eliza chuckled bitterly, as he'd just cracked the

lamest joke. "Isn't Fiona taking care of you well enough? Or is the kid's

dad not keeping you warm? ME!

Casper, is your ego itching for a challenge again? Sorry, I'm not interested in playing along."