Chapter 14

The moment I arrived at the veterinary hospital, I received the devastating news: Freya was in critical condition.

The vet explained that her injuries were severe—she needed emergency surgery immediately.

When it came time to sign the consent forms, I froze.

I didn't have a job. I'd spent all my time caring for Ethan and his mother.

Ethan gave me a monthly allowance, but it wasn't much—maybe two or three thousand dollars at most.

I'd used every penny to supplement household expenses, leaving me unable to even afford Freya's treatment.

I tried calling Ethan, but his line was perpetually busy.

Left with no choice, I rushed home, desperately searching for anything I could sell.

After rummaging through the closet for what felt like hours, my eyes landed on the sapphire necklace.

It had been stuffed in my bag all this time—I'd forgotten to return it to Olivia.

Compared to Freya's life, what did my pride matter?

Gritting my teeth, I found a buyer and sold the necklace for three hundred thousand dollars.

At least now I could pay for Freya's treatment.

I sat outside the operating room, staring at the glowing red surgical light, and my mind drifted back to the day I first met Freya.

It was my birthday. Ethan had stayed home and prepared an elaborate candlelit dinner for me.

Halfway through the meal, he'd slipped out mysteriously.

When he returned, he was holding an enormous bouquet of champagne roses. Nestled among the blooms was a tiny brown puppy, tilting her little head and sticking out her tongue at me.

"Emily, you've always wanted a dog, haven't you?"

"From now on, it'll be the three of us. We'll make a good life together."

I'd buried my face in Ethan's chest, gently playing with the puppy.

"Your name will be Freya, okay?"

"Freya. Freya—for the sweetest kind of love."