Chapter 139: Happy Memories

The underwear incident had traumatized Bella. She didn't believe Amber and Dominic hadn't been intimately involved during Amber's stay. Now that Amber had returned, the incident replayed in her mind. Amber was Dominic's ex-girlfriend. Although they had broken up, they shared a dog they had raised together. Bella felt like a fool.

Suddenly, Dominic realized something and asked, "Why isn't Pudding barking?"

Bella, intrigued, poked her head out. Amber patted Pudding's head and said softly, "After you broke up with me, Pudding and I couldn't adjust to your absence. He barked incessantly, filled with frustration and annoyance. I had no choice but to take him to the vet to have his vocal cords removed."

Dominic glared at Amber. "Considering where you live, I don't think Pudding would have disturbed anyone, no matter how much he barked. How could you remove his vocal cords just because you were annoyed? Are you crazy?"

Amber scoffed, taking a sip of tea. There was no remorse on her face. "Pudding wasn't solely my responsibility. We agreed to raise him together. But once you returned to the country, you abandoned us. It wouldn't have ended this way if you hadn't broken up with me. Dominic, if I ever went crazy, it would be because of you!"

Bella, unable to bear it any longer, closed her window. The surgery was cruel; there was no need for Amber to do that. She felt a surge of hatred towards Amber. Wasn't the point of having a dog to love it? How could Amber do such a thing if she truly loved Pudding?

Bella stopped listening to their conversation. After about an hour, Amber left, but Pudding stayed. Only then did Bella dare to come downstairs.

Pudding sat obediently beside Dominic, gazing at him with glistening eyes, as if pleading him never to leave again. Dominic's expression was grim. Bella, not wanting to provoke him, offered Pudding some bread.

However, Pudding, well-trained, ignored the bread offered by a stranger, inching closer to Dominic instead. Only then, after Dominic took the bread from Bella's hand, did Pudding eat.

The weather was hot, so Dominic arranged for someone to deliver Pudding's necessities and water. It was heartbreaking to see Pudding, unable to bark.

Bella softly asked, "Will Pudding stay for good?"

Dominic paused, then shook his head. "You don't understand Amber. She won't willingly give Pudding to me. She only brought him here to get under my skin. Although I put more effort into raising him, she bought him. Legally, he's hers."

Bella felt sad. "Don't you have a way to keep Pudding? He's so pitiful. I'm sure you and Amber shared many good memories. Even if you broke up, she shouldn't—"

Dominic interrupted angrily. "That's enough. Amber and I have no happy memories together. We agreed to raise a dog, a casual agreement. I didn't hate the idea of having a dog. That's it."

Bella remained silent. He clearly liked Pudding; Pudding clearly preferred Dominic. After lunch, Bella went to the hospital, and Dominic went to work. Before they left, Pudding anxiously circled the gate, looking abandoned again.

Dominic patted his head through the gate. "I'm going to work and will be home tonight. Behave yourself. If it's too hot, go inside and enjoy the air conditioning." Bella found his words gentle and amused by their conversation. Could Pudding even understand him?

(The final sentence fragment "ow there which had been opened to about two inches wide so" is nonsensical and has been omitted.)