Part 3I Neutered My Dog Groom

The comments went into a frenzy:

[The Heroine has arrived! I knew the universe wouldn't let him be snipped!]

[Daisy is the one Hudson is destined for. Paige is just a stepping stone.]

Daisy was panting, sweat beading on her forehead. She must have sprinted from the house. Her eyes bypassed me entirely, landing on the limp white dog on the table. Her eyes welled with tears instantly.

"Paige, stop! You can't do this!"

[Daisy’s heart is breaking. That’s her future husband’s legacy on that table!]

[Move, Paige! Get out of the way!]

When I didn't move, Daisy rushed over and grabbed my arm, her grip surprisingly strong.

"Paige, this is Hudson’s dog! Hudson is missing! If he comes back and finds out you mutilated his favorite pet, how are you going to explain yourself? He’ll never forgive you!"

I looked at Daisy’s tear-streaked face and felt a wave of cold amusement.

My "True Daughter" sister. Since she’d arrived, she’d taken everything. My room, my jewelry, my place in the company. I just hadn't realized she was planning on taking my fiancé, too—even in dog form.

I shook her hand off. "Doctor, proceed."

Dr. Miller looked between us, sweating. "Look, if this is a family dispute..."

"Do it," I snapped. "I’ll double the fee."

"No!" Daisy shrieked, throwing herself over the dog’s body like a shield. "This is animal cruelty! I’ll call the police!"

I let out a dry, jagged laugh. "Daisy, this is my fiancé’s dog. Making a medical decision for a pet isn't a crime. It’s called being a responsible owner."

Daisy glared at me, her voice trembling. "You’re only doing this because he left you at the altar. You’re taking your petty anger out on a helpless animal!"

[Daisy’s right! Paige is just a bitter, rejected woman!]

[With Daisy there, the villainess won't touch a hair on his head!]

I stepped closer to Daisy, looming over her. "Hudson humiliated our family. He made me a laughingstock. And you’re telling me I can't even touch his dog?"

I leaned in, my voice a whisper. "Or is it that you know exactly who this dog is?"

Daisy’s pupils shrunk. She flinched.

[Did she catch on?]

[No way. In the original book, she never finds out until the very end!]

I straightened up, watching the guilt flash across her face. The comments were right—my sweet little sister knew everything.

"Doctor," I said, my voice flat. "Continue."

"No! Please!" Daisy started sobbing, grabbing my hand. "Paige, I’m begging you. Don't do it. Please?"

"He’s Hudson’s... he’s so special to him!" She bit her lip, clearly dying to tell me the truth but bound by the 'rules' of the story.

[Ugh, my heart. Daisy is literally begging for his life.]

[Paige is a monster. Look at her crying!]

I looked at Daisy’s miserable face and gave a slow, wicked nod. "Fine."

Daisy’s eyes lit up. "Really?"

I smiled. "We don't have to neuter him. Let's just change the procedure."

"What procedure?" Daisy asked, her voice cautious.

I turned to Dr. Miller. "Doctor, do you perform vocal cord clips? I’m tired of hearing this dog howl. I want him silent."

The feed exploded:

[PAIGE, YOU ARE THE DEVIL!]

[A mute dog?! That’s even worse than being a eunuch!]

[Daisy, do something! Your man is about to get his throat slit!]

Daisy turned white.

I watched her face, feeling a sick sense of satisfaction. Hudson, Daisy... you thought you could hide behind a curse to avoid me? Think again. I’ll break you both.

Dr. Miller swallowed hard, his hand shaking as he held the scalpel. He’d clearly never dealt with a client this unhinged.

Daisy dropped to her knees, clutching the hem of my coat. "Paige, I’m begging you. Just let him go. Please."

[Kneeling for her man... I’m sobbing!]

[Paige, that’s enough! She’s on the floor!]

I looked down at her, and suddenly, a new idea struck me. A truly evil, wonderful idea.