"Do you really think if you don't want to leave, she won't either? She doesn't love you like you love her, Casper. When choosing a wife, you should choose wisely. Eliza just isn't cut out to be Mrs. Welton. Has she ever taken care of you? She doesn't even look after her own child. I've never seen anyone so cold- hearted."
Casper took a deep breath. He wasn't in the mood to discuss Eliza with Fiona. This was personal. "Tomorrow, I'll take you to see a house," he said, getting to his feet.
Fiona hurried after him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Casper, please don't leave me. I'm at the end of my rope, or I wouldn't have come to you. Why have you turned your back on Dylan and me too?" "I'm not abandoning you. I can set you up with a good life and help raise Dylan, but Fiona..." He gently but firmly pried her hands away. "I have a wife. Do you really want me to leave her? I can't do that." "But you promised Rory. If Rory hadn't saved your life, we'd be a happy family of three right now. I wouldn't be here pleading with you. Isn't my situation today all because of you? Don't you see that?" Her eyes filled with tears, like delicate flowers battered by the storm. Casper was at a loss for words. He knew she was right, which made his dilemma even harder. But that didn't mean he could be held captive by the past forever. He was a husband and a father, with responsibilities of his own.
"You should get some rest."
Just as he was about to walk away, Fiona called out again, "Casper, please, don't do this."
Her voice, a quiet and painful sob, tugged at his heartstrings. She seemed so pitiful, so lost, so heartbreakingly vulnerable. But he couldn't afford to let his resolve waver. He could let down anyone in this world, but not Eliza, not again.
His steps faltered briefly, but he pressed on, climbing the stairs with determination. All night, he tossed and turned, sleep eluding him. Just as he was about to drift off, a peculiar scent wafted in, something like perfume but heavy with smoke. He wanted to get up and investigate, but his body felt like lead.
His head swam, and he slipped into unconsciousness. The bedroom door creaked open. Cold moonlight spilled through the sheer curtains, casting an eerie glow on the
vel?
intruder's face, their features
magnified in the unsettling tight.
"I never wanted to do this, but you're leaving me no choice, Casper. How can you be so cold? Rory saved
your life, and now you want to kick us out? You're heartless, but I won't let you win."
The woman moved closer, slipping off her spaghetti strap nightgown. Her slender fingers traced a path
from his forehead, down his nose, coming to rest on his lips, where they lingered softly.
"Casper, did you ever know I liked you back in college? But you were so aloof, you never even gave me a chance, so I turned to Rory."
"He was so gullible, just a bit of manipulation and he was hooked. I never wanted a future with him, but he was relentless, even wanted to propose. I was terrified."
"When I heard he died overseas, honestly, I was relieved. I was so happy, but I had to pretend otherwise. I had to act devastated, heartbroken even, and I never knew I could act so well."noveldrama
"After Rory passed, do you know
where I ended up? I got involved with a rich man, became the other woman, knew what I was doing played my cards, got pregnant hoping he'd give me a place in his life for the child's sake, but no luck."
"Do you really believe Dylan is Rory's son? Of course not. But he does remind me of Rory-so innocent,
so kind, unlike his real father, who cast us aside without a second thought."
"So here I am, back to you. I want to be a legitimate rich wife, to live above the fray. I want everyone to see that Fiona can marry well."