Chapter 3

Honestly, I was the sentimental, loyal type. With Slinky already at home, I wouldn't risk upsetting him by bringing in another snake.

Even if it was Slinky's own brother, it was still a no-go.

But when I got home with the snake toy I'd just dropped 1,000 dollars on, I was shocked to see my front door wide open.

And there was the girl I'd hired to look after Slinky during my holiday, standing right in my living room, showering Slinky with affection and planting kisses on his face like they were best friends.

And my precious Slinky? Not only did he let her kiss him, but he was playfully flicking his tongue and licking her cheek, acting totally smitten with her.

It took me a full seven years to get Slinky to let me give him kisses and snuggle up cheek to cheek.

But this girl? In seven days, she won over Slinky's exclusive affection, the kind that was supposed to be mine alone.

Rage flooded me in an instant.

I couldn't hold back anymore. I marched right up and slapped her right across the face.

"What are you doing in my house?" I demanded.

The girl was totally caught off guard by my sudden return and the slap. She just lost it, completely broke down.

Her hands shook so much that Slinky dropped to the floor, and she started crying right away.

She said, "Milena, please, just hear me out! I swear I didn't mean to show up at your place. Last night, I dreamed Slinky was missing me, and I just couldn't resist. I had to check on him.

"I... I really didn't mean to let myself in. Please, don't be angry."

I looked at her tears, but not a hint of pity stirred in me, just rage boiling inside.

After all, I'd spent a fortune and poured my heart into raising Slinky, only to see her carelessly drop him to the floor, and Slinky didn't show a single sign of displeasure or distress.

Instead, he was frantically climbing up her pant leg, eager to get back onto her, like he was trying to comfort her.

I asked, "Why are you crying? Is that supposed to be your excuse for barging into my house without permission?

"I hired you to feed Slinky, not to steal from me. If you want to cry, go cry to the police."

I finished speaking and then whipped out my phone, about to call the police.

The girl was a college student, and she looked totally lost, like she'd never dealt with anything this crazy in her life.

She rushed over and dropped to her knees in front of me. "Milena, please, I'm begging you; don't call the police! If you do, I'm screwed.

"My family's really struggling; that's why I took this part-time job. I love Slinky so much, I couldn't stop myself. I'm sorry, I swear, I know I was wrong. I really messed up.

"I promise, I'll never come to your house again, and I won't ever try to see Slinky again. Please forgive me; don't call the cops."

Seeing her like that, I felt a flicker of sympathy for a moment.

After all, my family wasn't exactly rolling in cash back then either.

For some reason, right after hearing the girl's words, Slinky suddenly flashed its sharp fangs; before I could even process what was happening, it went savage and bit down hard on my thigh.

A sharp pain shot through my thigh.

But even the pain in my leg couldn't compare to the heartbreak of Slinky's betrayal.

After all, for seven years, I'd treated Slinky like he was made of glass, afraid to drop him, afraid to even breathe too hard around him.

And now, he was biting me over a girl he'd barely known for a week.

But even then, I couldn't bring myself to hurt him. With my hands shaking, I gingerly tried to pry Slinky off, terrified I'd hurt him if I pulled too hard.

"Let go! Slinky, let go of me, right now," I yelled.

But Slinky didn't let go; in fact, he clamped down even harder, his fangs sinking so deep that blood started trickling down my leg, and I could literally feel his teeth hitting bone.

Just when I felt like I was about to break down, the girl started crying, reaching out to gently stroke Slinky, her voice trembling with desperation.

She said, "Slinky, please, let go. Don't bite Milena, okay? She didn't hurt me, I swear. I know you're just trying to protect me, but she's your real owner, not me.

"Come on, be good, listen to me, let go, please? Just let go, okay?"

As soon as the girl spoke, Slinky finally loosened his grip and, without any hesitation, slithered right into her waiting palm.

But when Slinky looked at me, his glare was pure venom and spite, like he hated me to his core.

I was so angry I actually had to laugh. Not only did this girl manage to make Slinky treat her like his owner, but she even went ahead and named him Slinky without my permission.

What hurt even more was seeing Slinky, the snake I'd raised for years, actually lick her palm when she called him "Slinky."

Ugh, I could feel the anger boiling in my chest all over again.

For the first time ever, I glared fiercely at Slinky in the girl's hands, my eyes full of anger and disappointment.