Chapter 4

Early the next morning, when Dad pushed open my bedroom door, the first thing he saw was Teddy lying listlessly inside the crate.

His expression darkened instantly.

"Erika, what are you doing? How can you lock Teddy in a crate?"

Hearing the commotion, Mom came over and hastily scooped him up. Teddy whimpered pitifully in her arms, and her eyes immediately turned red.

"How could you do this, Erika? He's the only thing your brother left us!"

I stood by the bed and looked at them calmly without saying a word. It was the exact same story as in my previous life.

If the dog bit me, it was my fault. If the dog was unhappy, it was my fault. Even if the dog somehow breathed wrong, it was still my fault.

But it didn't matter.

Even knowing I hated dogs, they would still keep him by my side, because Cochran's soul was inside Teddy, and he had to stay by my side for 49 days. Any less than that, and their precious son wouldn't wake up again.

"W-What's with that look?" Dad asked.

Sensing my silence, his expression turned a little awkward. Mom had also stopped crying as she tried to explain, "Erika, that's not what we meant. Cochran's only been gone for a few days, and we're still overwhelmed. We just got a little emotional, that's all."

Looking at her, I remembered what I'd overheard the night before. A life for a life. A daughter for a son.

I'd known since I was little that my parents favored Cochran. He got the good food while I got the scraps. He got stuff that I never had. They said I was the big sister, and so I should give in to him.

I'd accepted it.

After I grew up and started making money, I'd always send money back home. But they said it was only right for a daughter to take care of her parents.

I'd accepted that too.

But trading my life for his? A cold scoff escaped me. Not a chance!

"I noticed that Teddy doesn't look well. He might be sick. I'll take him to the vet."

I ignored their question about the crate and changed the subject instead.

Sure enough, the moment they heard the dog might be sick, they panicked.

"He does look a bit sluggish. Is he really sick?"

"That won't do! You have to get him to the vet right away! Get him treated, no matter what it costs!"

After all, Teddy's life was directly tied to Cochran's, and there was no way they were going to take any chances.

I nodded and said nonchalantly, "How about this? I'll take him to the vet this weekend. I'm not working then."

"Absolutely not! How can we wait till the weekend? Today! Right now!" Dad said as they ushered me toward the front door. "Hurry! Go now! Don't delay it any longer!"

"Teddy's health comes first. The sooner he gets treatment, the sooner he'll get better!"

They practically shoved me out of the apartment, each of them urging me on, one after the other. They were terrified of delaying their precious son's treatment.

I stared at the closed door in front of me, and my expression slowly turned cold. I pulled out my phone, found a number, and dialed.

"Hello, Mr. Grant? Remember that toy poodle I mentioned last time—the one that needs to be neutered? When's a good time to bring him in?"

The answer was prompt and decisive.

"Today! We can do it today. Just bring him over. Give me a call when you get here, and I'll come out to meet you."

"Okay."

Hanging up, I looked down at Teddy. He seemed to understand. His beady black eyes had widened in sheer shock, his pupils had dilated, and every hair on his body stood on end.

I looked at him, bent down, and picked up the crate.

"Don't worry. Didn't you want to swap lives with me? I'm granting your wish. From now on, you can live happily ever after as a little princess. You won't need to worry about carrying on the family line anymore."