Chapter 1 It’s Just a Dog

"Ms. Granger, are you certain you want to donate this couture wedding gown?"

Sylvia Granger caught the hesitation in the staff member's expression. Her gaze swept over the exquisite dress, a flash of bitterness crossing her face.

"It's fine. The wedding's off. Better someone else gets use out of it."

With those words, Sylvia turned and left. Her next stop was a tattoo removal clinic, where she had Nelson's name lasered off her chest.

Nelson Fields—the man she'd loved for seven years. She'd spent nearly six months preparing for their wedding.

Only to discover it had all been a cruel joke.

Three days ago, Nelson had given away Momo, the dog who'd been her companion since childhood, to his first love, Clara Johnson.

When she'd gotten the call, Sylvia had frozen in disbelief.

"What did you just say?"

She could barely process the words. Momo had been with her since elementary school—over a decade now. After her parents died, Momo had become her lifeline.

No wonder she'd torn the house apart looking for him today.

Sylvia's expression darkened, her voice sharp with anger. "Nelson, you go get Momo back right now. You had no right to give him away!"

Nelson looked at her with undisguised irritation. "Momo's just an old dog. Clara wanted him, so I let her have him. If you want another pet, go buy one."

Sylvia stared at Nelson in disbelief, fury making her voice tremble.

"Nelson, you know exactly what Momo means to me. How dare you give him away without my permission?"

Nelson leaned back on the sofa, his face full of contempt. "That old mutt should be grateful Clara even wants him. When Clara's father died saving my life, I promised him I'd give Clara anything she wanted."

A chill ran through Sylvia's body.

Just because Clara wanted him, he could give away her Momo.

He cared about what Clara wanted—why didn't he care about her?

What shattered Sylvia most was Nelson's complete indifference. To him, Momo was nothing more than an insignificant dog.

Sylvia fought to steady her voice. "I'm going to Clara right now to get Momo back. No one gets to take him from me."

She turned toward the door, but Nelson suddenly grabbed her wrist.

Sylvia stumbled backward, meeting Nelson's cold, hostile glare.

"I already gave that dog to Clara," Nelson said darkly. "If you take him back, what will she think of me?"

Sylvia wrenched her arm free, her voice rising. "That's your problem, not mine. Momo's old—he has chronic inflammation. He needs medication every single day. Clara doesn't know any of this."

Panic was setting in now.

Every second wasted could make Momo's condition worse.

She had no time or patience for this argument.

Just as Sylvia reached the door, Clara appeared.

Sylvia rushed toward her. "Where's Momo? I never agreed to give him to you. Give him back now."

Clara stood in the doorway, silent, looking at Nelson inside with pitiful, wounded eyes.

A terrible feeling twisted in Sylvia's gut. Her voice turned frantic. "Why aren't you answering? Where is Momo?"

Nelson strode forward, his concern all for Clara. "Clara, what are you doing here?"

Tears spilled down Clara's cheeks. She turned to Sylvia, her voice breaking. "I'm so sorry, Ms. Granger. Momo bit me and ran off. He was hit by a car. He's... he's dead."

The world tilted. Sylvia nearly collapsed. She grabbed Clara's wrist, her eyes bloodshot. "Nelson only gave you Momo this morning. It hasn't even been half a day, and you're telling me he's dead?"

"Ah! That hurts!"

Clara jerked her hand away.

Unprepared, Sylvia stumbled backward, nearly falling.

Tears streamed down Clara's face, guilt written across her features. "I didn't mean to—you just grabbed my injury, Ms. Granger."

Nelson's expression changed instantly. He pulled back Clara's sleeve, revealing thick bandages wrapped around her wrist. His eyes filled with concern and tenderness.

"How did it get this bad? Did you go to the hospital? Did you get a rabies shot?"

Then he turned to Sylvia, his face twisted with fury.

"You always said your dog was gentle and well-behaved. Why would he suddenly attack Clara? Did you train him to do this on purpose? Clara's health is already fragile—you did this deliberately."

Sylvia stared at Nelson, her eyes flooding with disappointment and despair.

"Momo has never bitten anyone in his life. What if she's lying? And she got him killed!"

The grief in her voice was barely contained.

"It's just a dog!" Nelson snapped. "If it's dead, it's dead! I'm taking Clara to the hospital. We'll settle this when I get back."

He pulled Clara toward the door. Sylvia rushed to block their path, her voice cutting. "You need to explain exactly how Momo got hit. And where is his body?"

Clara shrank into Nelson's arms, playing the frightened victim. "I... I can't remember..."

Hatred blazed in Sylvia's eyes. "Can't remember? You killed my dog and you can't remember where he died? You're not leaving until you tell me where Momo is."

"Enough, Sylvia!" Nelson's face filled with disgust. "Think about your own behavior for once. Apologize to Clara. If you can't do that, the wedding is off."

Nelson walked out with Clara, completely oblivious to Sylvia's ashen face.

Hearing Nelson use their wedding as leverage, Sylvia found it bitterly ironic.

Years ago, when her father was dying, his final wish had been to see their wedding.

But while they were planning it, Nelson had stood her up repeatedly because Clara wasn't feeling well.

In the end, they never finalized any details. Her father died before the ceremony could happen.

And that wedding Nelson had promised her countless times had been postponed until now. They'd been together for seven years.

Seven years.

Just a wedding. That's all it was.

Sylvia's heart grew colder. She closed her eyes hard, then snapped them open again.

She didn't have time for this. She had to find Momo.

Sylvia hired a private investigator and a pet recovery service. Finally, they found Momo in an abandoned drainage ditch by the roadside.

The moment she saw Momo's battered body, Sylvia shattered completely.