Chapter 2

I looked at him and said, "First come, first served. Ever heard of it?"

Julian smirked. "But I was the first one to hold it. "

Just then, Nora walked over, her expression cold. "Ian, if you're jealous, keep it in check. What right do you have to drag Julian into this? Apologize to him. "

I stared at her, anger simmering. "Nora, this was our daughter's favorite dog. You didn't even see her one last time. She was alone every day, and now you can't even grant her this one small wish?"

Nora's face finally showed a flicker of emotion when I mentioned our daughter. 

"Don't you dare use my daughter to manipulate me!" she snapped, raising her voice. "Does she really feel lonely with teachers and classmates at school and family around her at home? And if we get a dog, who's going to take care of it? In the end, it'll be my responsibility, won't it?"

"Is that how you raise a child? Giving in to their every whim, only to raise an entitled brat? You, a grown man, jealous and picking fightswhy not spend that energy making more money? With a father like you, what kind of future does our daughter have?"

As I looked at the spiteful woman in front of me, I couldn't believe how blind I'd been before. 

I said coldly, "No matter what, I'm taking this dog today, and no one's stopping me. "

I stepped forward, pushed Nora aside, and grabbed Julian by the collar. 

"Put the dog down, " I demanded. 

Julian hadn't expected me to get physical. Panicked, he tried to stay calm and said, "Nora, is your husband always this rude? How did you end up marrying someone like him in the first place?"

Nora slapped me hard across the face, her eyes blazing with fury. "Ian, have you lost your mind? How dare you hit someone!"

"Apologize to Julian right now, or I swear I'll make you regret it! You have one minute, or you'll never see your daughter again!"

I couldn't help but laugh bitterly, as if I'd just heard the most absurd joke in the world. 

Julian shot me a cold smile. "I want him to kneel before me. "

Seeing this, Nora turned to me again, her voice rising. "Ian, are you deaf? Apologize to Julian! Don't make me take our daughter away!"

I met her gaze, unflinching. "And what if I don't?"

"Don't say I didn't give you a chance!" she snapped, pulling out her phone and dialing her mother's number. 

"Mom, where are you? Bring Eva back to your place right now. "

On the other end of the line, her mother hesitated before finally speaking. "Nora, where have you been? Why didn't you come when Eva was cremated today?"