At our engagement banquet, my golden retriever did something unusual—it raised its rear toward my fiancée.

Without hesitation, I threw down the engagement ring and demanded to call off the wedding.

My parents, friends, and relatives were all in shock. My fiancée, Casey, exploded in fury.

“Are you kidding me? You’re canceling our engagement because your dog lifted its butt?!”

“Yes,” I replied calmly. “Because of that.”

——

“Martin, say that again—why are you calling off our engagement?”

Casey stared at me, unable to believe her ears.

“Because Onie lifted its butt,” I said it clearly, without a hint of sarcasm. Then I tossed aside the ring, took off my suit jacket, and turned to leave.

“You’ve lost your mind!” she shouted. “You’re ending our engagement over a dog’s rear-end gesture? Is marriage just a game to you?”

“If that’s what you want to believe, then sure,” I replied, not even sparing her another glance. I carried Onie and prepared to walk away.

The guests below murmured in confusion. The host on stage stood frozen, awkwardly trying to salvage the event.

“I’m sure the groom is just joking... Probably he's nervous! Let’s all give him a moment to collect himself—”

He wiped the sweat from his brow, but when he saw I wasn’t stopping, he could no longer continue the charade.

Casey’s eyes turned red with rage and panic. She ran up and grabbed my hand.

“We grew up together. We’ve known each other for over twenty years. We promised to grow old together, Martin. So why? Why won't you marry me all of a sudden?”

Suddenly, as if something had occurred to her, she threw her arms around me, and pleaded.

“Did something happen? Martin, tell me. Whatever it is, we can face it together. I can’t live without you. If I lose you... I’ll die.”

Her tears slid down her cheeks and onto my neck. Her voice trembled with desperation.

The guests below were moved, touched by her devotion. One after another began speaking up on her behalf.

“She’s right, Martin. We’ve all watched you and Casey grow up together. If there’s something you can’t handle, we’ll help.”

“That’s right. Don’t be afraid. We’re all here for you today. No one’s going to let you face anything alone.”

Even my parents and Garza’s family spoke up, offering unwavering support.

But my reaction could only be described as cold.

Facing their concerned expressions, I simply shook my head.

“No. There’s no hidden reason. No one’s forcing me, and no one’s bullying me.”

“I just don’t want to get married.”

With that, I pulled Onie closer to my chest and strode off the stage.

My parents panicked. My mother rushed forward and grabbed the hem of my shirt.

“Son, have you gone mad? I’ve watched you love Casey since you were a boy. You always gave her the best of everything. You studied until 1 a.m. every night just to get into the same schools as her.”

She wiped her tears and pointed to Casey’s wedding gown.

“You spent two months finding the best designer in the world just for that dress. Last night, you were still talking to me about taking her to France for your honeymoon. How can someone like that suddenly not want to get married? I don’t believe it. Don’t lie to me!”

“Please, don’t make me worry. What’s really going on?”

I gently removed her hand from my clothes and repeated myself firmly.

“Mom, stop. I already told you. Onie raised its butt—it doesn't want me to marry Casey. So I can’t marry her.”

“That's bullshit!”

“Absolutely ridiculous!”

My father raised his hand and slapped me across the face, his eyes full of disappointment.

“How did our Ortega family raise such a selfish, reckless son? Marriage isn’t just about the two of you—it connects two families, two lineages. All the guests here today are from elite circles. If you had to throw a tantrum, could you not have waited? Come with me, now.”

My father grabbed my wrist and forcefully dragged me back toward the stage.

I struggled and yanked my arm free. “I’m not being unreasonable! Onie doesn’t agree with me marrying her—so I won’t!”

“Shut up! You ungrateful brat. Who spoiled you so much that you’ve lost all sense of propriety? You will marry her whether you like it or not!”

With a kick, he sent Onie tumbling down the steps and yanked me by the arm, pulling me back toward the platform.

Onie rolled down, then scrambled back to its feet and, undeterred, once again raised its rear in protest.

My nose stung as a wave of emotion hit me. I shoved my father away and rushed toward Onie, crouching down to hug it.

“Good boy,” I whispered. “If you don’t want me to marry her, I won’t. Don’t worry.”

My father trembled with fury, pointing a shaking finger at me. But then something flickered across his face, and he softened his tone.

“Martin, I remember... Onie was a stray you and Casey picked up together. It was so tiny back then, and you raised it all by yourself. You’ve cared so deeply even for a dog. I don’t believe you could be this heartless toward Casey. Something must’ve happened, right?”

His eyes were full of hope. But all he got in return was my cold, unwavering answer.

“No. Nothing happened. I just don’t want to marry her.”

With that, I turned and continued walking toward the exit.

My father chased after me, still refusing to give up.

Suddenly, I grabbed a fruit knife from the banquet table and pointed it at my chest, meeting his gaze with an icy resolve.

“Dad, if I say I won’t marry her—then no one can force me to.”

“If you insist on pushing me... I’ll die right here.”

Everyone was stunned into silence. The guests froze, horrified by my determination.

Shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd.

“Has Martin lost his mind? Refusing to marry because a golden retriever raised its butt? This is absurd!”

“Maybe he’s under a spell or something—how else could he act this ridiculously? It’s shameful!”

“Or maybe the Ortega family orchestrated this. Could it be they’re looking down on the Garza family and did this on purpose to humiliate them?”

The Garza family elders stood up, their faces were dark with rage. They looked coldly at my parents.

“Our families have been close for generations. You must give us an explanation today. If you can’t, then there’s no need for our families to associate any further.”

They turned to Casey.

“Sweetheart, let’s go. If they don’t value us, there’s no point staying. The Garza family isn’t some pitiful clan desperate to cling to others.”

I couldn’t care less about any of it. Holding Onie tightly, I rushed out of the venue.

I couldn’t afford to waste another second—some things couldn’t wait.

After making a few calls and settling the necessary arrangements, I returned to the private villa I had bought with my own money.

There was no trace of Casey here. Only my things.

Onie happily pranced around, rubbing itself against my leg.

I stroked its head gently and reassured it once more, “Don’t worry. I’ll never leave you.”

Just then, the group chat together with our family friends exploded.

Mentions began pouring in.

[@Martin Casey got drunk after the wedding was canceled and ended up in a car crash. Aren’t you going to the hospital?]

[Yeah! You two grew up together. She always puts you first and treats you like family. Even if you’re not her groom, you’re still her friend—you should go see her.]

[She’s in Platinum Hospital. They said right after the surgery, she kept calling your name. She’s still waiting for you.]

I scrolled through the messages and picked a few to respond to.

[I'm not going. I’m busy.]

That’s when Casey’s closest friend, Sabrina, directly confronted me.

[You took a whole month off just to marry Casey. What important thing do you have going on now?]

Letting out a sigh, I replied, [I need to take care of Onie.]

Afraid she wouldn’t believe me, I even sent a video.

On the screen, Onie nestled obediently in my arms, eyes sparkling like stars. His mouth hung open in a goofy smile, tail wagging with joy. Every time I stroked his fur, he leaned into me, rubbing against my hand with such affection it melted my heart.

Shortly after, Sabrina sent a barrage of messages.

[Are you fucking possessed?! What matters more to you—a person or a dog? Casey almost died in that car crash! A shard of glass nearly pierced her heart. Do you even understand what that means?!]

[And here you are—still worried about your damn dog?!]

[Martin, give us a straight answer—are you going or not?]

[If you don’t show up, don’t bother calling us your friends anymore. We’ll cut you off for good. Don’t ever show your face to us again.]

Just as I was about to reply, a message from Casey popped up.

[That’s enough, Sabrina. Martin isn’t the kind of person you think he is. If he doesn’t want to come, he must have his reasons. Don’t drag him into my mess.]

Then she messaged me privately.

[Martin, I miss you. I really, really miss you...]

[Especially when that truck was flying toward me—I couldn’t think of anything but you. I was terrified I might die without seeing you one last time.]

[But I guess I was lucky. If I hadn’t been wearing that blessed charm you gave me, I might not have made it.]

The charm she mentioned was something I had gotten for her when she was gravely ill and unconscious. I climbed 999 stone steps on my knees, praying with every breath for her recovery.

It had poured rain that day, and by the time I reached the top, my legs were trembling so badly I couldn’t stand.

But I clenched my teeth and kept going. I told myself, if she could just live, anything was worth it.

And miraculously, the moment I returned with the charm—she woke up.

Since then, she had worn it every single day.

But now, I wanted it back.

She didn’t deserve to wear it anymore.

I replied simply.

[Fine. I’ll come see you.]

Casey was overjoyed at my reply.

Despite the pain from her injuries, she instinctively opened her arms to hug me.

Even lifting them hurt her, but she forced them up anyway, biting through the pain.

In the past, I would’ve rushed over to embrace her, whispering sweet nothings into her ear.

But now, I just stand there, unmoving—my face blank, maybe even filled with disgust.

Her smile faltered. Slowly, her arms dropped back to her sides. She forced a laugh to cover the awkwardness.

“Martin, I’m already so happy you came. I shouldn’t expect too much.”

She quickly pointed to a nearby table.

It was full of food—all my favorites.

Crystal dumplings. Caviar-topped king crab.

Everything was steaming hot, clearly timed perfectly for my arrival.

The butler beamed and added, “Mr. Ortega, Miss Garza personally arranged all of this after she heard you were coming. She—”

“Who said you could prepare anything for him?!”

A loud voice cut him off as the door slammed open.

Jaylen stormed in, throwing a stack of papers harshly onto Casey’s hospital bed.

“Sis, he’s scum! He’s not worth your love. Martin has been cheating on you! He’s been seeing another woman behind your back! Don’t let him fool you again!”

He expected Casey to be furious.

But she only glanced at the photos before quietly looking away.

“That’s enough, Jaylen. Don’t speak nonsense. Martin is not like that.”

“Sis, if not for that woman, why else would he suddenly back out of the wedding? He’s just afraid she’d cause trouble if he got married! Admit it—Martin is trash!”

“Shut up!”

Her furious scream was followed by the crack of a sharp slap.