【Just got an alert on my phone. You spent some money?】
【It's not that I mind you spending. It's just that my salary's going toward saving up for our wedding fund. If you spend too much, how am I ever going to be able to marry you?】
Pretty vigilant.
I typed back：
【Just replaced a few things the dog broke.】
【It won't eat into your savings. If anything, I'll be spending more on her.】
No response for a long time. He was satisfied, apparently.
The on-screen comments kept rolling.
【Classic wants-it-all guy. Total ick. "Saving for your wedding fund"? That's not generosity, that's a leash on your wallet.】
【He's the type to eat your food, live off you, and then demand emotional damages when you break up.】
I thought the comments were spot-on.
That evening, after dinner, the Beagle started howling again.
Sidney messaged me.
Said he was too busy, told me to walk the dog.
【Don't go. If you walk her, she'll lunge forward and drag you all over the place until you fall and break a bone on the spot.】
【You'll get treatment afterward, but it won't heal right. Your leg will be permanently lame, and that illegitimate daughter will have stolen your ability to walk.】
That settled it.
I turned around and hired a professional dog-walker to come to the apartment.
Booked the mid-tier package: three hours.
“My dog's clearly overweight just looking at her. Walk her longer, and I'll pay extra.”
“Also, she might bolt. Handle her however you need to. I don't mind.”
The dog-walker took the deposit and grinned ear to ear.
“Don't worry, Miss Sanchez. I'm a pro.”
“I'll keep a video call going the whole time. This Beagle's in good hands.”
I recorded a few clips from the walk and sent them to Sidney.
He replied with a string of praise stickers.
By the time he got home from work, the dog was sprawled flat on the floor, completely wiped out.
Sidney's expression went stiff. “Since when do you have that kind of stamina? She's dead on her feet, and you look like you barely broke a sweat.”
“I don't remember you being this athletic.”
“You're right, I wasn't.” I didn't bother hiding it.
“I hired a dog-walker. I'm not used to her yet, and she's obviously heavy. I was worried she'd run off, so I got someone who could handle her.”
Sidney's face twisted：
“Why would you hire someone? I told you, Tutu's well-behaved.”
“If you keep pawning her off on other people, when are you ever going to bond with her?”
He caught himself almost immediately, reining in his tone：
“Maddie, that came out wrong. I'm not blaming you. I've just been swamped at work lately.”
“The company's sending me on a business trip. You'd be home alone with Tutu, and a lot of those dog-walkers are guys. I'd worry about you.”
“How about this: walk her yourself for the next few days, and once I'm back, I'll take over from then on……”
Sidney pitched it like a compromise, eyes locked on me without blinking, as though he was afraid I'd say no.
“Sure.”
Sidney finally relaxed.
He picked up his phone and sent me a whole list of shop names, one after another.
“You're not working anyway. Tutu could use a bath and some grooming. These places have good reviews. Just take her in.”
“And load a prepaid card while you're there. It'll save money in the long run.”
The Beagle stared at me, greedy and expectant, waiting for my next move.
I pretended not to notice and nodded yes.
After Sidney left, my online orders arrived.
The Beagle watched the delivery guy set everything up.
