On Our Anniversary, My Boyfriend's Childhood Friend Ate My Dog

I had to go on a business trip, so I reluctantly asked my fiancé to take care of the dog I had raised for five years.

My fiancé pounded his chest, promising, "Cora, don't worry. I'll take good care of it!"

When I snuck home to surprise him, I found him and his childhood friend, Anna, sitting around the table, eating fondue.

Next to the trash can was fur with traces of blood.

Anna smiled and praised, "Cora, you raised him well! No wonder you fed him such expensive dog food. The meat is so tender!

——

"Cora, you took such good care of Tommy! The meat is so firm!"

I stared in disbelief at the cold fur next to the trash can, and the gift in my hand fell to the ground with a thud.

Anna wrapped her arms around Charles, playfully whining, "I just mentioned I wanted to eat, and Charles made it happen. Cora, you don't mind, right?"

Charles affectionately ruffled her hair and shot me a sharp look.

"It's just a little animal. Cora, don't overreact.

"We can always get another one."

His tone was calm and indifferent, as if discussing something insignificant.

My hands trembled as I touched the fur, now cold and matted with dried blood.

The little dog that used to eagerly jump up to me had turned into a cold, lifeless body.

I could still see the marks on the floor from its struggle.

I tried my best to stay calm, my voice shaking as I spoke, "Charles, you're the one who found Tommy, and I've raised him for five years!

"You killed him just because Anna said she wanted to eat him?!"

I couldn't believe that the man who once loved animals could have turned into this.

Perhaps because my attitude was no longer submissive, Charles frowned in displeasure.

"Cora, Anna wanted to eat, so we did. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?

"I'm your fiancé! Can't I even decide to eat your dog?

"Are you really going to break up with me over an animal?"

His tone was laced with a subtle threat.

I collapsed to the ground, staring at the fallen gift, overwhelmed by a wave of helplessness.

There it was again, the same old line.

In his eyes, I could never compare to Anna.

Anna opened the gift box and let out an excited gasp.

It was a pair of custom-made rings I had ordered for today's anniversary.

I wanted to surprise Charles.

But he barely glanced at them, his tone full of disdain.

"It's just a trinket. If you like it, play with it."

I watched as Anna placed one ring on Charles' finger and then slipped the other onto her own.

"Cora, with hands that ugly, aren't you afraid of embarrassing yourself by wearing a ring?

"Such delicate jewelry is meant for someone like Anna to wear!"

Charles looked at my hands and mocked me.

I had taken on all the household chores for Charles, serving him so he never had to lift a finger.

And now, he was disgusted by my hands, worn from all the work I had done.

I looked down at my hands. The once smooth skin had become rough.

Anna pretended to be shocked, covering her mouth.

"Cora, you don't mind, right?

"I only see Charles as my brother!"

Charles glanced at Anna helplessly, as if this scene was all too familiar to him.

"What are you talking about? Cora doesn't compare to you."

A sharp, stinging pain rose in my heart, and I couldn't help but choke out, "Charles, I rushed back early today just for this anniversary.

"How could you treat me like this? How could you do this to Tommy? Do you even have a heart?!"

After days of traveling, dark circles had formed under my eyes.

I had hurried back home, all in an effort to surprise Charles on our fifth anniversary.

I had even planned for Tommy to be my little ring bearer at the wedding.

Instead, I was greeted by Anna's blatant provocation and Tommy's cold, lifeless body.

It felt like I was invisible as I watched Charles flirt openly with Anna right in front of me.

A wave of deep sorrow surged in my heart.

I was supposed to be his fiancée, and Anna was the one who should have meant nothing to him.

As if hearing a joke, Charles let out a laugh.

"I've known Anna for years, and you think you can compare to her?

"It's been five years, Cora. You should know better than to ask such foolish questions."

He wrapped his arm around Anna's shoulders and walked past me, his expression full of disgust.

Seeing the devastated look on my face, Charles kicked me hard.

"You're trying to manipulate me with that pathetic look, all because of a dog?

"Cora, you truly disgust me!"

He left with Anna by his side. I sat there, powerless, even hearing Anna's triumphant laughter.

The blood on Tommy's fur had long since dried, and the table was littered with leftover food.

Looking at the mess in front of me, I couldn't help but curl my lips in bitter self-mockery.

It was always like this.

For five years, Charles had treated me like an on-call maid, taking my care and service for granted.

Whenever things didn't go his way, he would threaten to break up.

In the past, I had given him my whole heart, tolerating all his bad temper without any boundaries.

But as I touched the stiff fur in my hands, an overwhelming sense of exhaustion washed over me.

I was truly tired.

I wiped Tommy's fur and dialed a number from my contact list.

"Mom, I want to call off the engagement."