Chapter 3

"It's just a dog. How can it be more important than Mandy's feelings?"

Ethan Carter kicked aside the litter box blocking his path, his face full of disgust.

Dumpling, the Ragdoll cat Summer Lynn had raised for three years, was now cowering in a corner, trembling.

Its hind leg had a deep bite wound, blood staining its white fur.

And the culprit—the unleashed bully breed dog Mandy had brought—was barking arrogantly.

"Ethan Carter, are you blind! It was her dog that bit my cat!"

Summer Lynn held Dumpling in her arms, her voice trembling with distress.

"Stop yelling!"

Not only did Ethan Carter show no remorse, he shouted at her instead.

"Mandy is pregnant now. She can't handle being startled."

"Your cat sheds everywhere anyway. What if Mandy has an allergic reaction?"

He stepped forward and snatched Dumpling from Summer Lynn's arms.

"What are you doing! Give her back!"

Summer Lynn desperately tried to grab the cat back, but Ethan Carter shoved her onto the sofa.

"This damn cat can't stay. I'm throwing it out right now."

Ethan Carter grabbed Dumpling by the scruff of its neck and strode toward the door.

"Ethan Carter! Don't you dare!"

Summer Lynn struggled to get up and chased after him to the door.

But Ethan Carter had already mercilessly thrown the cat near the trash can in the hallway.

With a "bang," the security door slammed shut.

"Ethan, don't be angry. Getting upset isn't worth it."

Mandy walked up and pressed herself against Ethan Carter's chest, her voice syrupy sweet.

"Mandy's the understanding one."

Ethan Carter wrapped his arm around her waist, looking at Summer Lynn with a challenging gaze.

"Summer Lynn, I'm warning you. From now on in this house, Mandy's rules are the rules."

Summer Lynn looked at the dark hallway outside the door, her heart breaking.

Her stomach suddenly sent waves of sharp pain, cold sweat instantly soaking through her back.

Although she didn't have cancer, a severe stomach ulcer flare-up was still life-threatening.

"My stomach hurts. Take me to the hospital."

Summer Lynn clutched her stomach, barely managing to speak.

"What hospital? You have a terminal illness. Going would just be a waste of money."

Ethan Carter glanced at her coldly, completely unmoved.

"Ethan, my dog seems to have diarrhea. Can you take me to the vet?"

Mandy suddenly picked up the bully breed, putting on an anxious expression.

"Okay, let's go right now."

Ethan Carter immediately grabbed the car keys, not sparing Summer Lynn another glance.

"Ethan Carter! I'm in too much pain to walk. Leave me the car!"

Summer Lynn held onto the wall, gritting her teeth as she called out.

"The car keys are in my hand. Why should I leave them for you?"

Ethan Carter let out a cold laugh.

"Call yourself a cab. Don't delay getting Mandy's dog treated."

He helped Mandy out the door and locked the security door behind him.

Summer Lynn endured the severe pain and pulled out her phone to call a car.

But she discovered that not only had Ethan Carter locked the door, he had also unplugged the home Wi-Fi.

Her phone couldn't make calls because it had been cut off for unpaid bills.

The sound of a car engine starting came from outside.

Summer Lynn dragged her heavy steps to the window.

She watched helplessly as Ethan Carter drove away in the Porsche that had originally belonged to her, carrying that woman.

Raindrops began hitting the window glass, falling harder and harder.

Summer Lynn collapsed to the floor in pain, curling into a ball.

She fumbled for the spare key and struggled to open the door.

The hallway was empty. Dumpling had disappeared somewhere.

"Dumpling... Dumpling..."

Summer Lynn held onto the stair railing, moving down step by step.

The rain outside was pouring down. Cold wind mixed with rain beat against her body.

She finally found the barely alive Dumpling in the bushes of the community garden.

Summer Lynn took off her jacket to wrap the cat tightly and stumbled toward the community entrance.

A taxi stopped in front of her.

"Driver, to the nearest vet hospital, then to the downtown hospital."

Summer Lynn pulled open the car door, her voice so weak it was barely audible.

The driver looked at her soaking wet body and deathly pale face, startled.

"Miss, are you... okay?"

"I'm fine. Just drive."

Summer Lynn leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes.

Cold rainwater slid down her cheeks. It was impossible to tell whether it was rain or tears.

The next morning.

Ethan Carter returned home with Mandy, only to find the house empty.

"Where did that bitch go?"

Ethan Carter frowned and dialed Summer Lynn's number.

The phone rang for a long time before being answered.

"Summer Lynn, where the hell are you! Get back here and make breakfast for Mandy!"

Summer Lynn's icy voice came through the phone.

"Ethan Carter, you open the door!"

"Freeze outside for a night to clear your head. If the cat's still alive tomorrow morning, I'll be merciful and let you in."