The Ashes She Gave MeChapter 2

I poured half a bowl of premium dog food. While she was distracted, I cautiously wrapped the silver locket around her thick belly, hiding the chain beneath her fur. Then I nudged her into her large crate and draped a blanket over it.

Maybe I was losing my mind, but the moment the locket rested against her skin, the dog looked up at me. Her eyes held a human-like, venomous disgust.

My fingers trembled as I latched the crate.

Just then, the front door clicked open. Nolan walked into the entryway, juggling several grocery bags.

"Hey, honey," his voice dripped with his usual buttery warmth. "The gate guard mentioned you came into the complex. When you weren't at our house, I figured you were hurting and came here to hide."

He set the bags down. "I bought fresh chicken. I'm going to make you a rich broth tonight to build your strength back up."

His words sounded so caring, but a layer of icy sweat broke out across my back. He tracked me down.

Bang.

The black dog suddenly rammed her head against the crate door, bursting it open before I could even flinch. I watched in absolute horror as she trotted straight to Nolan, rubbing her head affectionately against his legs, whining for his attention.

My nerves snapped tight. She always hated Nolan. Why was she acting like this?

Nolan looked surprised, but as he bent down to pet her, his eyes caught the gleam of silver buried in her fur. His expression instantly darkened.

"Harper," he said, his voice dropping an octave. "Why is the locket Stella gave you on the dog?"

"Oh, that..." I forced a light laugh, my heart hammering against my ribs. "I thought it looked cute. I was going to record a little video for social media. Might go viral."

Moving on pure adrenaline, I whipped out my phone, filmed the dog for ten seconds, and posted it online right in front of him.

Nolan's face remained stormy. "You put expensive jewelry on an animal? What if she breaks it? Stella poured her heart into this gift!"

He snatched the locket off the dog. As he stepped toward me, his voice morphed back into that sickeningly sweet tone. "Come here. Let me put it back where it belongs."

The moment the silver left her body, the dog reverted to normal. She bared her teeth and snarled viciously at Nolan.

He shot her a single, murderous glare. The dog shivered, tucked her tail between her legs, and bolted back into her crate.

My stomach churned.

Before I could back away, Nolan's hands were around my neck, fastening the clasp. The locket felt like a line of frost burning into my skin. My windpipe constricted.

A sharp, violent cramp ripped through my abdomen.