His Destructive, Toxic Love novel Chapter 424

She was pleading with him.

Not the first time, either. She had begged him countless times before. But she had never really thought about accepting him, not fully, not with her whole heart.

It tore him up inside. He never wanted to cause her this kind of pain. He never lied to her, either. He wished she could see that. His love for her was real, pure, not a hint of deceit.

He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her as she seemed ready to fall apart. He couldn't understand why things had gotten so bad between them.

"Tell me, do you think you could ever love me again?"

His warmth surrounded her. His broad chest could shield her from the world, but it had never made her feel safe. She couldn't answer him. The hate was gone, but acceptance was still out of reach. As she had told Juan, she couldn’t get past what happened with Robin.

If she tried hard enough, she could probably convince herself to move on, find a reason to let go. But that would feel like betraying herself.

"Casper, your love is like a beautiful soap bubble—fragile and bound to burst. That's not the kind of love I want."

He held her tighter, his face buried in the crook of her neck. He took a deep breath and said, "My love isn't a bubble, Elle. From the moment I laid your ashes to rest, I knew I could never love anyone else. If that's not love, then what is?"

His words were touching, but she stayed silent. Tears streamed down her face. She didn't even know if she was crying for Casper or for herself.