Chapter 4

I lingered by the entrance, hearing the cheerful sounds emanating from within the house, and couldn't help but feel uneasy.

The flirtatious tone I recognized was identical to the one I'd heard from Ryan Carter's laptop previously.

Wearing a displeased expression, I pushed open the door to the residence.

Without warning, a large, white furry creature leaped at me, knocking me off balance.

My spine grazed some pebbles as I fell, causing me to grimace in discomfort.

Upon looking up, I realized it was a canine.

Uncertain how to respond, I remained motionless.

"Where did this animal come from? Remove it from me!" I yelled.

Since childhood, I'd harbored a fear of dogs after being pursued by a neighbor's sizeable hound.

Now, pinned down by a large dog, I trembled uncontrollably.

At that moment, the dog was pulled away from me.

Ryan Carter extended his hand towards me, his face etched with bewilderment.

Disregarding his gesture, I stood up and distanced myself from the dog.

I examined the animal closely. Its coat was well-maintained, and it even sported a charming butterfly accessory on its ear.

Upon seeing me upright, it attempted to lunge again.

I instinctively retreated a few steps.

"What brings you here?" Ryan Carter inquired gently, crouching to stroke the dog.

"Didn't you notice...?"

"Ryan Carter, what's going on? Where's Brlla?"

A shrill, feminine voice called out, and the woman I'd seen in the photographs appeared before me.

Seeing her in person made my heart ache with jealousy, especially observing Ryan Carter's warm gaze directed at her.

He swiftly positioned himself in front of the girl, obscuring her from my view, his gentle expression vanishing instantly.

"Is everything alright, Ryan Carter? Why are you blocking my view? Has something happened to Brlla?"

The girl maneuvered around him, and upon noticing me, her smile wavered.

She halted when she saw me standing there.

As she approached, I couldn't help but be drawn to her vivacious energy.

"Who is she?" the girl inquired, her voice filled with curiosity as she looked up at Ryan Carter.

However, when her gaze shifted to me, there was an unmistakable hint of defiance in her eyes.

She was aware of my identity, and after connecting on social media, she likely knew about me long before this encounter.

"She is..."

"I'm his spouse, legally his wife." I cut off Ryan Carter's explanation and smiled at the girl before me.

As anticipated, her expression faltered momentarily before she attempted to regain her composure.

Her little performance only amused me.

She took a few steps back, appearing uncomfortable, and struggled to guide the large dog inside.

"Well, since your wife is here, you two should talk. I'll go give Brlla some water."

Her feigned melancholy even made me feel a twinge of sympathy.

But Ryan Carter, predictably, was completely captivated by her.

After she left, Ryan Carter glared at me with evident frustration.

"Why are you even here?" he asked, his tone icy.

"Your family invited us for dinner, and you didn't respond to any of my messages, so I came."

I replied calmly, unfazed by his anger, as if I didn't even perceive it.

My response left him at a loss for words.

I disregarded him completely and walked confidently into the house.

I settled onto the sofa and observed Ryan Carter as he followed me in.

"You have 20 minutes to prepare. We need to depart on schedule," I stated, my tone resolute.

As soon as I finished speaking, the same large dog that had tackled me earlier charged toward me, as if provoked by something.

It aggressively bit at my clothing.

"Let go of me!" I shouted, grabbing my purse and swinging it at the dog.

It struck the dog's head, causing a minor laceration.

I called out for Ryan Carter, but by the time I was knocked down, he was already by the girl's side, shielding her in his embrace.

Witnessing that, my heart sank completely.