Chapter 2

Winston's POV

After I finished the discharge paperwork, I returned to what used to be my home. I pushed open the door, but the lively little figure that usually greeted me was nowhere to be seen.

Had even Coco stopped loving me?

Sadness hit me hard as I headed toward the bedroom. Passing through the living room, I heard a muffled whimpering sound.

"Coco?" I called out tentatively and moved toward the noise.

What I found made my blood run cold. Coco was tied to the table leg with coarse rope around her neck.

The rope was pulled so tight that her eyes bulged. Her white fur had been shaved in uneven patches, and her hind legs sprawled uselessly on the floor. Burns, cuts, and several gaping wounds covered her body, blood still seeping from them.

Every drop of blood in my body seemed to freeze. I screamed and rushed over. "Coco!"

My hands trembled so violently from shock that I could barely work the knots loose.

A voice sounded behind me. "Winston, what are you doing here?"

I turned around. Rebecca stood there holding Theo's hand, carrying several bags of baby supplies in her other hand.

I froze. My eyes dropped instinctively to Rebecca's stomach.

Rebecca frowned. "Winston, you should be in the hospital receiving treatment. What are you doing back here?"

I let out a bitter laugh, though my chest ached even more. "If I hadn't come back now, you'd have given birth already, wouldn't you?"

I looked pointedly at Theo. Rebecca's expression stiffened, guilt flickering in her eyes.

"Winston, let me explain. That night—"

"Enough!" I cut her off sharply.

There was nothing to hear. It would just be the usual excuse about drinking too much and losing control.

No wonder Rebecca kept finding reasons to postpone the transplant surgery. They already had a child on the way. But none of that mattered to me anymore.

I looked at her. "I just want to know why Coco ended up like this. You promised me she'd be the happiest dog in the world."

Rebecca glanced at Coco, a trace of guilt crossing her face.

"It's actually my fault." Theo suddenly spoke up. "Coco nearly bit me the other day, so Rebecca had to punish her."

His words were apologetic, but his eyes gleamed with satisfaction. I could no longer contain my fury. My hand flew out and slapped him across the face.

"Winston, have you lost your mind? You hit Theo over a dog?" Rebecca shouted.

I let out a cold laugh. "He could never compare to Coco."

Coco was a gift from my father on my 20th birthday. She was all I had left of him. She mattered more than anyone or anything else.

Sensing the hostility radiating from Theo, Coco bared her teeth and let out two weak barks at him from my arms. Theo immediately clutched his head and crouched down on the floor.

"Rebecca, my head hurts so much."

Rebecca panicked instantly. "I'll take you to the hospital."

But Theo shook his head, his expression pitiful. "Maybe I should just leave this house. Winston doesn't like me, and I'm a little scared of that dog."

"Don't be afraid, sweetheart."

Rebecca gently stroked Theo's head and continued, "I'll get rid of that little beast right now."

With that, Rebecca wrenched Coco from my arms. "Rebecca, you can't do this. You know how much Coco means to me!"

My voice trembled, my eyes pleading.

"Theo matters more!"

Rebecca lifted Coco above her head. My heart leapt into my throat. I watched in horror as Rebecca prepared to slam Coco into the floor.

Pride and dignity meant nothing anymore. I dropped to my knees at Theo's feet.

"Please, tell Rebecca to spare Coco. I'll give you anything. Please."

I bowed my head to the floor again and again.

But Theo only said, "Rebecca, hurry up!"

His tone was gleeful, and it made my entire body tremble.

The next second, Rebecca hurled Coco down with all her strength. Warm blood splattered across my face, and I went deathly pale.