Chapter 3

I opened my mouth to defend myself.

“No, I didn’t harm them…”

Lani snapped. “Who else could it be but you?

“Noel, when did you become so vicious that you couldn’t even tolerate a few dogs?”

I caught a flash of smugness crossed Warren’s sorrowful face.

I instantly realized that it had all been Warren’s scheme.

“It was him! He drugged the dogs himself beforehand and deliberately framed me!”

Warren said with a look of grievance.

“Noel, how could you slander me? Pudding is my beloved dog, and I treat the puppies she gave birth to like my own children. How could I possibly harm them?”

I stared at him coldly.

“You’re the one who poisoned them. No matter how carefully you covered your tracks, you’d leave some trace. Just check your purchase history…”

Lani screamed angrily, “Enough!

“Noel, you’re still trying to wriggle out of this? Apologize to Warren right now and beg for forgiveness to atone to these eight dogs!”

My eyes widened in shock.

“Do you want me to beg for forgiveness?”

Lani’s face was set in a stern expression.

“Those were eight living, breathing dogs’ lives. Making you beg is already more than you deserve.”

I stood rooted to the spot.

“I said I didn’t do it. I won’t apologize, and I certainly won’t beg!”

Lani glared at me.

“Are you going to beg or not?”

I looked back at her without a hint of fear.

“I won’t beg. What are you going to do about it?”

“You…”

Lani spluttered for ages without managing to say a single complete sentence.

Warren saw it all while standing nearby. Then, he spoke with a look of grievance.

“Lani, never mind. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have suggested you come take care of the dogs in the first place.

“If it weren’t for me, they wouldn’t have been rejected by Noel and lost their lives…”

Warren was crying pitifully. I did not want to watch his hypocritical act any longer, so I turned and was about to leave.

Just then, my phone rang.

My mom spoke anxiously.

“Noel, your dad had a sudden heart attack and is in the hospital. The doctor said he needs open-heart surgery, which costs $50,000. We’re still short of $20,000…”

I froze in place as if struck by lightning.

My parents were both retired factory workers. When I got married, the Fort family had provided the wedding home. Although I was a son-in-law by marriage, my parents did all they could to ensure I would not feel inferior.

They emptied their savings to provide $300,000 on renovations and gave me a $200,000 car as a wedding gift.

My legs felt weak as I turned to look at Lani.

“My dad needs surgery, and we’re still $20,000 short on the surgery fees…”

Lani’s lips curled into a smirk, looking as if she had finally got the upper hand over me.

“Your dad’s surgery fees aren’t included in the essential expenses I set for you.”

I never thought she would still be using those so-called rules to pressure me at such a time.

“Lani, that’s my dad!”

She snorted derisively.

“You said it yourself. He’s your dad. What does that have to do with me?”

My mom’s stifled, choked sobs came through the phone.

I could no longer care about anything else. I instantly fell to my knees and begged her.

“Lani, didn’t you want me to apologize and beg? I’ll do whatever you say. My dad is literally waiting for this money to save his life…”

I slapped my face hard, in front of the remains of those eight dogs with a loud thud after thud. Soon, blood began to seep from my cheeks.

Finally, Lani spoke up.

“Since you’ve shown sincere remorse, I’ll forgive you this once. But let me make one thing clear: I’m not in the charity business.

“Your parents will have to pay back the money I lent them. Don’t even think about using my money to support them.”

Ever since Lani gave birth to Anjou after we got married, I had quit my job to stay home and take care of our child full-time. My parents had been supporting me all this time, but it was not the time to argue.

I just wanted to get the money as soon as possible so my dad could have the life-saving surgery.

“I understand. I’ll pay it back. If you’re worried, I’ll write you an IOU.”

Lani looked taken aback.

“No need for an IOU. Just keep it in mind.”

As soon as the $20,000 was transferred, I sent it to my mom without a moment’s hesitation.

Then, I rushed straight to the hospital.

When I arrived, my dad had already been wheeled into the operating room. After a long three-hour wait, the doctor came out and announced that the surgery was a success.

My limbs went weak, and I nearly collapsed to the ground.

Thankfully, fate was not that cruel that they would take my father right after taking my daughter.

I stayed at the hospital to care for my father, who was still unconscious, and my mother, who was in a state of shock.

Two days later, Lani sent me a text.

[It’s my mom’s birthday celebration today. Don’t be late, and remember to bring Anjou. My mom wants to see her granddaughter.]

I was dazed. So, my mother-in-law, Maryam’s birthday celebration had arrived.

I would give her family a birthday gift they would never forget.

I put down my phone, walked into the bathroom to splash some water on my face to hide the exhaustion of the past two days. Then, I went home to grab the child’s urn and headed to my mother-in-law’s birthday celebration.

When I arrived, everyone was already there.

Lani looked at me and scolded me.

“I told you to come early. Where’s the child? Why didn’t you bring her?”

I held up the urn in my hand and spoke. “I was late because I had to go home to get a gift for you, Maryam.

“You’ll see the child very soon.”

Maryam’s face, which had been full of displeasure, softened considerably when she heard me say that.

I stepped forward and handed her the urn.

Immediately, people started urging her to open it and see my gift.

In front of everyone, Maryam opened the outer box packaging, revealing the porcelain urn inside.