Chapter 1

Just how ridiculous could people get?

I never really had a clue until Christmas Eve, when my husband, Alexander Valdez, called me.

He actually wanted my brother, Ryan Carter, to grieve over the death of a stray dog.

He had already forgotten that just three days earlier, I had called him to inform him of Ryan's death.

Alexander snapped, "Kylie, that's enough. Even if you're trying to cover for Ryan, you don't have to start talking nonsense.

"Besides, he screwed up, so he deserves to be punished. Even if he's dead, he should drag himself over here and apologize to Rocky today!"

I laughed so hard that my eyes turned red with tears.

"Alright, Alexander. I'll bring Ryan over. But remember, we're done after this. I want a divorce," I said through tears.

After hanging up, I made an appointment for an abortion three days later.

*****

I came home, holding Ryan's ashes. Before I could even sit down, the phone suddenly rang. It was a cop.

The cop said, "Ms. Carter, our condolences. We discovered remains in the mouths of stray dogs at Silverwood Estates. From our investigation, it looks like Ryan may have been targeted by someone..."

I couldn't help but cover my mouth, tears streaming down my face.

Just as I was about to speak, the door flew open. Alexander stormed in, hand in hand with his first love, Daniella Evans, his face contorted with rage.

Alexander demanded, "Kylie, what's going on? How could you keep me and Daniella waiting this long?

"Where's Ryan? Is he hiding?

"Kylie, let me tell you. Ryan killed Rocky. The only reason I let him grieve for Rocky is because he's your brother."

My face turned pale as I stared at Alexander, shocked.

I just couldn't believe it. The man I'd loved for over ten years actually said something so heartless.

Alexander barked, "Kylie, didn't you hear me? Get Ryan out here now!"

"Get him out? How do you expect him to just walk out?" I shot back.

I looked down at the urn in my hands, my grip tightening around it.

Tears poured down my face.

"Alexander, you tell me. How is he supposed to come out and stand in front of you like this?" I choked out, my voice shaking.

I shoved the urn forward.

Alexander was momentarily stunned when he saw the urn.

Daniella, standing next to him, tugged at his arm and said in a sweet, trembling voice, "Alex, I'm so scared.

"Even if Kylie doesn't like me, she shouldn't try to freak me out with all this stuff, right?

"Rocky's death was gruesome. All I asked was that Ryan mourn it, but she just..."

The fleeting look of sympathy in Alexander's eyes was gone, replaced by a chilling gaze.

Alexander growled, "Kylie, you're beyond help!

"You actually prepared all this just to defend Ryan's actions.

"I'm warning you for the last time. Bring him here right now! He needs to apologize to Daniella today."

Even now, I hadn't grasped the extent of Alexander's obsession.

He expected Ryan to apologize to a stray dog, but who was going to make things right for Ryan?

Three days ago, Ryan came to visit me in the neighborhood, but he was attacked by a pack of stray dogs.

I just happened to be out that day.

When I got the call and rushed home, all I found was Ryan's body, mangled and barely recognizable from the mauling.

The security guard told me that, out of nowhere, a bunch of stray dogs had started showing up in the neighborhood. A lot of residents were worried about safety, but every time the stray dogs were driven off, they'd just come back after a while.

The neighborhood was planning to get rid of all the strays, but before they even got started, Ryan was already gone.

I stared at Alexander, tears burning, and wondered how the guy who once promised me forever had turned into this ice-cold stranger.

There he was, whispering sweet nothings to Daniella while Ryan lay in the urn. Something inside me snapped.

"Alexander, do you even care? Ryan's dead! The stray dogs tore him apart." My voice cracked like a dropped plate.

Daniella jumped in before Alexander could open his mouth.

"Kylie, I know you really care about Ryan. Maybe it's my fault, but Ryan didn't really do anything. He just kicked Rocky, and Rocky's bones broke. That's all," Daniella said, acting all innocent.

With that, she blinked up at Alexander, all doe eyes and victim voice.

"Alex, let's just forget it. I guess Rocky is unlucky. Otherwise..." Daniella said, her voice trembling.