The Cursed Dog My Boyfriend Brought Home

My boyfriend adopted an experimental Beagle, and I was about to order its supplies online when the on-screen comments appeared.

【Girl, that lab dog is hosting the soul of your dad's illegitimate daughter. Every penny you spend on it goes to her. She's stealing your fortune.】

【You slave away taking care of it, and she wants you dead.】

【Buy dog food, she takes your wealth. Groom it, she takes your beauty. Take it to the vet, she takes your health. Everything she gains doubles while you're left with nothing.】

【In the end, your boyfriend and your dad's illegitimate daughter become one happy family.】

Every hair on my body stood on end. I tried to talk to Sidney Henson about giving up the adoption, but he accused me of having no compassion：

“The dog's been through enough already. It finally has a home. You can't just decide not to keep it.”

“Are you worried she'll take away some of the love I have for you? Can you not be so petty?”

I was so angry I laughed.

He really couldn't tell who held the cards here. I turned around and adopted the meanest, most unhinged cat they had—a certified psycho, king of the shelter.

Her life or her stolen fortune. The illegitimate daughter would have to pick one.

……

【Of course Sidney doesn't want you to give up the adoption. That dog's body is a perfect match for your dad's illegitimate daughter.】

【That bastard planned the whole adoption with your own father. After you die, your mother grieves herself into a car accident.】

【Your father doesn't spare a second thought. No funeral. He cremates your mother and dumps the ashes in the garbage.】

I left the pet adoption center and went straight to the hospital.

Following the on-screen comments' directions, I spotted my father just as they said I would.

He walked into an ICU room. Through the faint reflection in the glass, I saw him pull a woman into his arms.

“The dog's been adopted.”

The woman's expression eased. She stepped away from my father and moved to the bedside.

She stroked her daughter's ravaged face, her expression gentle.

Then the girl on the bed seized her hand.

The voice that came out was dry and cracked, like a broken bellows：

“Mom, does that mean I'll get better soon?”

“As long as Madison Sanchez treats that dog well, I can drain her fortune bit by bit.”

“Eventually even her looks and her health……”

When her mother nodded, the girl in the hospital bed laughed like she'd lost her mind.

Her neck, wrapped tight in white gauze, arched high. The sight of it sent a chill straight down my spine.

My father stepped forward, gripped the girl's hand, and murmured gently：

“Good girl. Soon you'll see the light of day again.”

One cozy little family, loving and warm. It made my teeth ache just watching.

I didn't disturb them. I left without a sound.

Back home, Sidney had already brought the Beagle over, just as I'd expected.

He unclipped the leash and let the dog tear through the apartment, knocking things over at will.

Then he turned to me.

“Maddie, this dog is really well-behaved. Haven't you heard the saying? A dog brings good luck. Having her in our home is bound to be a blessing for both of us.”

I folded my arms. Behind me, something else crashed to the floor. Not for the first time.

“This is what you call well-behaved?”

“The dog's yours. Anything of mine it breaks, you replace at full price.”

Sidney's composure cracked. He slapped his debit card into my palm.

“It's just a few things. I can afford that much.”

“But let's be clear. The dog stays, permanently. You and I are going to take good care of her together and make her feel like part of a family.”

His fingers clamped tight around the card as he held it out, eyes darting. He clearly didn't believe I'd actually take it.

After all, in all the time we'd been dating, I was the one footing his bills.