Chapter 3

Upon noticing Abigail, Owen instantly started tearing up. "Christian slapped Ethan, Abigail."

Abigail looked down at her own hand in disbelief, then turned a guilty gaze toward me. "I-I didn't mean to, Christian—"

Ethan scoffed. "Is this really your idea of commitment while pursuing us, Ms. Southall? You're already divorced, yet you're still messing around with your ex.

"If that's how it's going to be, then Ethan and I can't be with you. You ought to know that we come from a respectable family, and we refuse to be anyone's side pieces."

He then looked toward me with a pointed glare as he continued, "I guess there are certain people who just keep overstaying their welcome after a divorce. Is this what passes for decency in your high society?"

Abigail's expression instantly stiffened. "Christian, apologize to Ethan and Owen."

It started snowing out of nowhere. I clutched Sparky close as his body slowly turned cold and rigid. I stubbornly looked her right in the face with my bloodshot eyes and said, "They're the ones who killed my dog."

They had killed my companion of 15 years, completely destroying the final keepsake Dad left behind for me.

Abigail looked distressed for a moment, but Owen quickly grabbed Ethan's arm and said, "That dog attacked Ethan first, Abigail!"

I instantly felt a surge of anger rush through me, as Sparky had always been gentle and never would have attacked anyone unprovoked.

Abigail immediately stepped forward to check Ethan's hand, asking, "Does it hurt?"

Ethan stubbornly looked away. "What difference does it make if it hurts? It's not as if the person responsible is going to get punished."

Abigail asked in a doting tone, "What do you want to do then, darling?"

Ethan shot me a twisted, mocking look and said, "If your ex feels that much empathy for a dog, then he should just spend the night in the dog cage instead."

Abigail didn't even hesitate for a moment before agreeing. "You can do whatever you like as long as it makes you happy, Ethan."

Ethan finally smiled, his brilliant expression completely captivating Abigail. She stared at him for a long time, as if she couldn't bear to look away. She then turned to me with disgust and ordered the bodyguards. "What are you guys waiting for? Go carry out Ethan's request!"

Upon hearing that, the bodyguards hesitated and faltered, seemingly holding something back. "I-It'll be minus ten degrees outside tonight, Ms. Southall. Mr. Fuller—"

Ethan's expression hardened as he turned to leave. "How can I possibly trust that you'll treat Ethan and me well in the future when even your own people only have loyalty toward your ex-husband?"

Abigail immediately followed after him and pulled him into her arms, gently comforting him. "We'll do exactly as you say, Ethan."

She then glared at the bodyguards and snapped, "Get moving already!"

I struggled violently, but I was still thrown into the dog cage.

Owen picked Sparky up by the tail, turned around to smile flirtatiously at Abigail, and said, "Why don't we get rid of this dog and have some lamb stew to celebrate Ethan and me moving into our new place, Abigail, especially considering how cold the weather is getting?"

I gripped the bars of the cage as I broke down, crying out. "Please don't do this, Abigail! Please don't do this to Sparky!"

I kneeled in the cage, bowing repeatedly in desperation. Abigail, however, only stared infatuatedly at Ethan's face. She held his hand to her lips, blowing on it repeatedly to keep him warm. She didn't even look at me once as she put her arm around Ethan's waist, took Owen's hand, and led them into the villa.

I called her name repeatedly, like the mournful cry of a vengeful spirit in the dead of night. I couldn't even remember when the cold finally made me lose consciousness, but when I came to, the aroma of lamb stew was wafting from the villa, and Sparky's corpse was nowhere to be found.

I gripped Sparky's leash with all my might, my fingernails digging deeply into my palms. "I'll never ever forgive you, Abigail."

I woke up the following day to find Abigail sitting by my bedside with bloodshot eyes. "You're finally awake, Christian! Do you feel unwell anywhere?"

Abigail took my hand, looking deeply worried.

I expressionlessly pulled my hand back, only for Abigail to instantly grab it back. "You were in the wrong about last night—it was just a dog, after all. You should apologize to Ethan in a bit. He isn't that petty, so he'll definitely forgive you."

I had long since grown numb from the pain. I closed my eyes, wanting nothing to do with her, but she still wouldn't stop talking.

I couldn't take it anymore, so I asked, "Where am I?"

Abigail's expression carried a trace of embarrassment before replying, "Ethan has a fear of the dark, while Owen prefers rooms with plenty of sunlight. That's why they're staying in the master bedroom and guest room at the moment. You'll have to temporarily settle for the basement, Christian."