His Destructive, Toxic Love

Elizabeth could comply with almost every request Carter made. But this one? It was out of the question.

She felt an overwhelming discomfort, too afraid to meet his eyes. She knew that one look might make her abandon all her principles and trap herself in an impossible situation.

David gently took Carter's hand, which was tightly holding Elizabeth's, and said, "Dad, Elizabeth and I will definitely get married. You don't need to worry about it. Just focus on getting better and waiting to babysit for us, okay?" Carter didn't get the answer he was looking for. He breathed heavily, as if on the verge of his last breath but couldn't let it go.

"Dad, Elizabeth and I have both agreed. Please, just rest, okay?"

David's words didn't seem to have any effect. Shortly after, Carter was rushed to the emergency room due to cardiac arrest. Sitting outside the emergency room, their spirits hit rock bottom.

"Dad's been rambling lately, all about wanting us to get married. That must be his biggest worry," David said, running his fingers through his hair, looking as if he blamed himself for not being able to fulfill this duty. This only added to Elizabeth's stress. She had only agreed to help David out because Carter was her mentor. Actually getting married to fulfill an old man's last wish? She was willing, but powerless.

"David, we were supposed to be... fake. Once we get the marriage certificate, it becomes real. That's... unfair to me."

She believed David understood. She hoped even more that he wouldn't make things difficult for her. She had tried her best.

David didn't say much. He remained silent.

Elizabeth checked her watch. "David, I'm going to check on my dad. If there's any update here, call me."

"Okay."

The moment Elizabeth stepped into Mike's hospital room, it felt like a huge burden had been lifted, and the pressure inside her began to dissipate. Inside the room, Mike had taken his medication and was asleep.

Elizabeth didn't stay long. She

quickly found the attending

physician and shared the news that

Dr. Roth would be performing surgery on Mike. The doctor was relieved after hearing this, and then they discussed the details of the surgery meticulously.

By the time everything was arranged, night had quietly fallen. Elizabeth looked out at the deep night sky only then remembering she had to rush home to prepare dinner for Jasper. She hurriedly left

the hospital and drove home.

At a busy intersection, her thoughts unwittingly drifted away, and before she knew it, she rear-ended the car in front of her. Elizabeth was startled and quickly got out to check the situation.

Fortunately, the damage to both

vehicles wasn't severe, and no one was injured Usually, car accidents. are straightforward to deal with - take photos, call the police, contact the insurance company, determine liability, and compensate

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accordingly. But this time, she

encountered someone

5

unreasonable.

"Pay up. I'm telling you, talking won't solve anything; you must compensate."

The car owner was a man in his thirties, tall and muscular, with an arrogant demeanor. He eyed the little golden figure on Elizabeth's car, thinking there was money to be made.

Elizabeth thought, if she had to compensate, then so be it. Better to lose money than invite trouble, considering it was her fault.

"How much?"

"Thirty thousand, not a penny less," the man's words carried an undeniable air of authority.

Elizabeth almost laughed out loud upon hearing this. It was just a minor scratch on the paint, and he was demanding thirty thousand? As if she were a sheep ready for slaughter. "Even if I had thirty thousand to give you, I wouldn't pay it."

That was a matter of principle. Elizabeth's gaze didn't waver.