Chapter 3

Two suitcases and Pudding were all I had to show for my time in that home.

When Jenna saw me emerge from the bedroom with my luggage, she could not help asking, "Blake, are you really going to let her leave?"

Blake answered irritably, "She's a coward. She won't be able to manage without me."

I stopped in my tracks, then walked over to Pudding and picked her up.

"Pudding, do you want to come with Mommy?"

She licked my palm, as sweet and affectionate as ever.

Without warning, a large, well-defined hand seized her by the scruff and yanked her out of my arms. Blake handled her so roughly that her fur instantly stood on end and a piercing cry tore from her throat.

"No. I bought her, so you have no right to take her away."

Three years ago, Blake had been away on business all the time. Knowing how frightened I was of living alone, he had brought home a ragdoll cat to keep me company.

Now he was telling me I had no right to take her.

Suppressing the ache in my chest and the tremor in my voice, I looked up at him. "What if I pay you for her?"

"She's not for sale."

My throat tightened until I could barely breathe, but I forced a stiff smile.

"Pudding, be a good girl and stay with Blake for now. Mommy will come back for you."

As though she understood me, she stopped struggling and gazed at me with her large, watery eyes.

I forced down my grief and headed for the door. Blake did not even look at me. He simply carried Pudding over to Jenna at the dining table so she could play with her.

Laughter filled the apartment, and my eyes suddenly began to sting.

With seven days left before my transfer, I checked into a hotel for the time being. Only a few hours later, Jenna sent me a photo.

In it, Pudding lay sprawled across the carpet, covered in injuries and barely clinging to life.

My hands shook with terror as I hurriedly called Jenna, but no one answered. Frantic, I hailed a cab and rushed home.

The apartment was deserted, and the windows had been flung wide open. Outside one of them, a gray-and-white shape dangled precariously in the wind.

"Pudding!"

My heart nearly stopped.

I stumbled to the window, and just as my pupils contracted in horror, a chorus of voices erupted behind me.

"Surprise!"

Confetti burst over my head as raucous laughter rang out around the room.

Adrian stepped out from a corner. "Look how badly we scared my little sister. She's even breaking out in a cold sweat."

Maya emerged from the bedroom. "Surprised? Bet you didn't see that coming! Jenna came up with the whole idea."

Only then did I realize that the object hanging outside the window was a stuffed cat.

I had knitted it for Blake by hand several years ago. I had never been good at crafts, so I had watched the tutorial over and over until I finally got it right.

When I gave it to him, he had been delighted and placed it on his bedside table, where he could admire it every day.

Now its once-white fabric was covered in dust.

My arm fell limply to my side.

"I told you she was a coward," Caleb said. "One cat was enough to scare her half to death."

A soft meow sounded behind me, and I turned to see Jenna holding Pudding, who was completely unharmed.

"This prank was so much fun. Sorry, Nina. I honestly didn't think one doctored photo would scare you that badly."

Biting my lip, I took Pudding from her and held her tightly against my chest.

"Is frightening me like this really that entertaining?"

They had not expected me to lose my temper, and the room fell silent for a moment.

Adrian patted me on the head. "We planned this prank to help you overcome your fears. Why are you getting angry?"

Blake stepped forward and wiped the cold sweat from my forehead with a tissue.

"It was only a prank. Don't get so worked up."

A prank.

I had long since lost count of how many "pranks" they had played on me.

Maya slipped an arm around my waist. "Come on, don't be mad. Let's all go out and have some fun."

Holding Pudding, I followed them numbly, but Jenna stepped in front of me.

"Nina, Blake already gave Pudding to me."

I froze and turned to Blake. "Is that true?"

He nodded. "She's scared when she's alone at night. Having a cat around will help."

Then he added, "I don't have to work overtime at my new job, so you have me to keep you company."

A crushing wave of grief closed around my throat, and my stomach churned violently. Fighting back the nausea, I followed them downstairs.