Chapter 1

I married Wilbur Hudson, who had been in a coma, all because I owed a favor.

My mother-in-law kept picking on me, my sister-in-law treated me like dirt, and even the servants had the nerve to spit in my food.

The only one who stayed by my bedside every night was Milo, the golden retriever.

I hugged Milo and vented, "Milo, when Wilbur finally kicks the bucket, you and I are getting out of here for good."

Milo froze for a moment, then looked at me with a mix of emotions.

Three years later, Wilbur woke up.

The first thing he did after waking up was kick out everyone who had ever bullied me.

The second thing he did was corner me against the wall, his voice low and rough. "So, I heard you wanted to run away with me? And even get me neutered?"

I stared at him in horror. His tone was just like Milo's!

*****

I stared at the glob of phlegm in my bowl, my stomach churning.

Maisha Morales, the maid, stood by the dining table with a rag in hand. Her face was filled with open mockery.

She said, "Oh, Mrs. Hudson, I'm so sorry. My throat's been acting up lately, and I couldn't help myself."

She apologized, but her eyes looked at me like I was some homeless mutt.

I gripped my fork so hard my knuckles turned white.

I had been stuck in the Hudson family for three years now.

I married Wilbur Hudson, who had been in a coma ever since that car crash, all because I owed his grandfather, Ronan Hudson, a life-saving debt.

Before Ronan passed away, he pleaded with me, holding my hand, asking me to take care of his only grandson.

But the moment he was gone, the Hudson family's true colors came out.

My mother-in-law, Thalia Preston, took control of the finances. My sister-in-law, Cynthia Hudson, snatched my walk-in closet for herself. And even Maisha, Thalia's distant cousin, strutted around the house like she owned the place.

Maisha sneered. "Come on, Mrs. Hudson, eat up. It's tomato basil soup. Sure, I added a little 'special seasoning,' but it's still nutritious. What, are you too good to eat something made by a servant like me?"

I took a deep breath, steeling myself as I lifted the bowl.

Maisha looked so smug, she was practically bursting with it.

The next second, I flipped my wrist and splashed the scalding soup right in Maisha's face.

She screamed like a stuck pig, her cries echoing through the dining room.

Maisha clutched her face, rolling on the floor. "Help! Mrs. Hudson is trying to kill me!"

I gave her a cold stare. "If your throat's messed up, go get it checked. Don't come here and gross me out."

"Nicole! You're out of line!" An angry voice rang out from the stairs.

Thalia rushed down in her silk robe, her face twisted with rage. Cynthia, still half-asleep, followed behind.

"Mom! Look at her! She scalded Maisha's face!" Cynthia screamed, pointing at me.

Without a word, Thalia raised her hand and slapped it toward my face.

I instinctively shut my eyes tight. But the slap I was bracing for never landed.

A golden blur shot out and sank its teeth into Thalia's wrist.

It was Milo, the golden retriever Wilbur raised before the accident.

"You damn dog! Let go!" Thalia screamed in pain, desperately trying to shake him off.

Milo growled deep in his throat, his eyes fierce as he stood protectively in front of me.

Cynthia grabbed a vase from nearby and swung it at Milo. "I'll beat you to death, you beast!"

"Stop!" I threw myself forward, grabbing Milo in a desperate hug.

The vase smashed against my back, pieces flying everywhere.

The pain was so intense, I couldn't help but let out a muffled groan.

Milo acted like he'd lost his mind, releasing Thalia and lunging straight at Cynthia.

I held on to his neck for dear life. "Milo! Stop! Easy! Listen to me!"

Milo was so responsive to me that when he heard my voice, he stopped dead in his tracks. But his eyes stayed fixed on Cynthia, and the icy glare in them sent chills down my spine.

I had never seen that kind of look on a dog. It was more like the furious stare of a man about to explode.

Thalia's wrist was bleeding from Milo's bite, and Cynthia's face went ghostly pale.

"Call the police! Have them put down this mad dog!" Thalia screamed, clutching her wrist.

I gritted my teeth against the pain in my back and shot them a cold look. "This dog is Wilbur's favorite. Ronan's will made it clear. If you mess with anything that belongs to Wilbur, you can kiss your inheritance goodbye."

At the mention of the inheritance, Thalia's expression twisted.

Even though Ronan was gone, his will was airtight.

As long as Wilbur was still alive, most of the Hudson family's assets stayed under his name. If he died, everything would be donated, unless a direct heir or his spouse signed off to give up their claim.