I was pinned to the spot by the bodyguards, my whole body was ice cold.
Watching Tuantuan's tiny body twitching in the corner, and hearing its weak whimpers, my heart felt like it was being torn apart.
"No..." I struggled to break free from the bodyguards, almost lunging forward to pick up Tuantuan, but Liam grabbed me.
"Can't you understand human language?" His eyes were sinister. "I told you, take it to the kitchen."
The butler stood there, looking troubled: "Sir, this..."
"What? Even you dare to disobey my orders?" Liam's voice was as cold as ice.
Vanessa nestled in his arms, sobbing pitifully, "Liam, I'm so scared... Why is this dog so fierce..."
I broke free from Liam's hand and rushed to the corner.
Tuantuan could no longer stand up; its hind legs were trembling incessantly, and its eyes, which were always full of trust, were now filled with pain.
I gently stroked its head, and it weakly licked my hand, as if to comfort me.
"Liam, it's been with us for ten years." My voice trembled. "How could you be so heartless?"
He scoffed, "It's just a dog. Clara, have you forgotten something? Is this dog more important, or your sister?"
His words were like a bucket of cold water poured over me.
My sister, that twelve-year-old girl, was locked in a dark attic by Liam for a whole week because she saw Vanessa bullying me and talked back to her.
"Think it through," Liam said slowly. "Are you going to use this dog to nourish Vanessa, or let your sister experience what it's like to fall from the third floor?"
My fingernails dug deep into my palm, and blood seeped out between my fingers.
Vanessa smiled smugly, snuggling into Liam's arms: "Brother Liam, you're so good to me."
Liam gently stroked her hair: "From now on, just tell me what you want."
I stood there, feeling cold all over.
In seven years of marriage, I gave everything, yet I couldn't even protect a dog.
No, it's not just dogs; I can't even protect my closest family members.
Liam never cared about me; I was the one who indulged in the lies of our marriage and deceived myself.
I remembered last night, I suddenly had a heart attack, and my chest hurt as if a huge rock was pressing down on it. I struggled to get my medicine, but I accidentally knocked over my water glass.
Liam was wearing a suit and getting ready to go out with Vanessa to see the Northern Lights.
He walked past me without even glancing down at me, stepping over the puddle on the ground and heading straight for the door.
I lay on the ground, foaming at the mouth, my consciousness gradually fading.
I heard him tell the housekeeper, "Have the living room thoroughly disinfected. Vanessa is coming home tomorrow, and we absolutely cannot let her smell the medicine or the stench of water stains."
Seeing my despair, Liam seemed to remember something.
"I'll spare its life, but now, go apologize to Vanessa," Liam said coldly.
I just want to get Tuan Tuan out of Liam's clutches as quickly as possible and then leave.
I mechanically walked up to Vanessa and bowed deeply: "I'm sorry."
"Didn't you eat? Speak louder," Liam snapped.
Before I could react, Liam dragged me down and forced me to kneel at Vanessa's feet.
Some shards of glass remained on the marble floor, broken when Tuantuan was thrown. The sharp edges of the glass grazed my knee, instantly tearing my skirt, and blood seeped out, staining the floor red.
Upon seeing the bloodstains, Liam frowned, his eyes filled with disgust, as if he had touched something filthy. He abruptly released his grip: "Your pet bit Vanessa and injured her. Shouldn't you apologize to her?"
I lowered my head, my knees throbbing with pain, but my heart ached even more.
Married to Liam for seven years, the words "I'm sorry" have almost become my mantra.
The hot milk is too hot; I apologize.
He came home late at night from a business dinner, and I made a noise while preparing hangover soup for him. I want to apologize.
There was someone else's lipstick stain on his shirt. When I asked him about it, he accused me of being "paranoid." I had to apologize profusely.
I bit my lower lip until I tasted blood, then slowly straightened up.
I bowed deeply to Vanessa at a 180-degree angle, my voice calm and undisturbed: "I'm sorry."
The first time, Vanessa didn't say anything, she just looked at me defiantly.
The second time, Liam's expression was still grim.
By the third time, my mind was numb. I looked up and stared blankly at Liam: "Excuse me, is that enough?"
Liam stared at the blood on the corner of my lips, his chest heaving noticeably.
That was a side of me I had never seen before; there were no tears, no grievances, only a deathly indifference.
He suddenly became irritated, and his tone became even more sarcastic: "Clara, your most trusted old man isn't here, so who are you trying to fool with this disgustingly pathetic act?"
Before I could reply, I heard hurried footsteps outside the door; the family doctor had arrived.
Liam immediately pushed me aside, afraid I was blocking his way, and quickly walked to Vanessa's side, asking softly, "Vanessa, is anything bothering you? Does it hurt?"
I took the opportunity to get up from the ground and staggered toward the door.
My knees were still bleeding, and every step hurt, but I dared not stop. I was afraid that if I hesitated even a second longer, this man would drag me into an even deeper hell.
As soon as I stepped out of the villa gate, I heard two beeping sounds.
Outside the iron gate, the Maybach sent by Gregory was flashing its lights, as if giving me hope.
I quickened my pace, but before the iron gate was fully open, two bodyguards in black suits suddenly rushed out, grabbed my arms on either side, covered my mouth, and forcibly dragged me back to the villa.
I struggled desperately, but the bodyguard was too strong. My wrists were gripped painfully, and he dragged me back to the villa like a piece of trash.
I looked at the Maybach with tears in my eyes. The headlights gradually blurred, just like the hope that had just been ignited in me, which was then extinguished.
