Drowning Him In Regret

Chapter 13 A Better Life

"Ada, what the hell did you just say? One more time!" Jude's voice cracked like a whip as he shook off Vivian's grip and charged toward me, his face a storm of rage and disbelief.

Toto let out another low growl, hackles up, and the cops jumped in quick, yanking Jude back before he could get any closer.

I swiped at my stinging eyes, locking on him with an icy glare. "I said divorce, dumbass. You got wax in your ears or what?

"We're standing in a fucking police station, and it's crystal clear we're done. No love, no nothing. Let's just cut our losses and move on.

"Divorce. I take Toto, and you can have your little sidepiece move in, no problem."

Tears burned tracks down my face, and I couldn't tell if I was putting on a show or if my heart was actually splintering. Was I acting? Or was this raw, ugly pain real? My chest felt like it was caving in, and I didn't know if I was mourning him or just the version of us I used to believe in.

Something flashed in Jude's eyes-guilt, maybe, or a ghost of the man I once loved- but it vanished fast, swallowed by that same old temper.

"You're seriously throwing us away over a goddamn dog?"demanded Jude. "What, I

mean that little to you? Less than some flea-bitten mutt?

"Fuck it, I'm ending that dog today, and nobody's stopping me!"

I threw my arms around Toto, holding him tight. Vivian latched onto Jude's arm, her eyes sparkling with sick glee."

Jude, babe, chill. Why get worked up over a stupid animal?" she cooed, but the smirk she shot me was pure poison, sharp enough to cut.

Mary hacked a loud, juicy spit onto the floor. "Fucking homewrecker," she muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Jude, you blind or just stupid?" she barked. "Ada's not torching your marriage over a dog, you idiot!"

The police station was a circus-people milling around for their own dramas, others soaking up ours like it was a soap opera. The whispers started flying, hot and fast.

"This dude's letting his mistress talk smack about his wife right in front of her? Yeah, divorce his ass."

"Big tough guy picking on a dog? Total loser vibes. Bet he's the type to throw punches at home."

"Girl, if he's that bad, just sue him."

The crowd was turning into a lynch mob, and the cops weren't having it. They herded

us into a back office, trying to dis down the cws

I knew how this played out same old "domestic disputer bust. Jude was a sleaze, sure, but he wasn't getting more than a step on the wrist

Then I caught a young cop darting over, muttering something to the others. Their eyes flicked to Jude, and their faces changed way, semost spooked.

Of course, Jude, the untouchable heir to the Carson dynasty, Gross him, and you were screwed. Nobody was dumb enough to try

Sure enough, the cops gave him a half-assed lecture about 'Yeeping things civil and called it a day. No charges, no nothing. Just another messy day swept under the rug As we headed out, a young female officer caught my eye, her face soft but troubled," Family stuff's a nightmare to sort out, she said quietly, "But... if is bad enough, maybe think about taking it to court."

She didn't push, but her words hit me hard. It was the most she could do, and I felt a flicker of gratitude for it.

I gave her a small nod, grabbed Toto's leash, and walked out with Mary, leaving Jude and his whole circus in the dust.

Outside the precinct, Vivian was draped over Jude's arm, her voice all syrupy with fake worry, "Jude, oh my God, your wound's split open-it's bleeding""

I glanced at the measly smear of blood on his arm. Fucking please. I'd spilled more yesterday without anyone blinking. Why was she acting like he was one stubbed toe away from the grave?

I rolled my eyes, didn't bother with them, and started walking

"Ada, don't you dare walk away from me! Jude's voice cracked like a whip, all bossy and pissed.

I didn't break stride. Toto hesitated, ears twitching like he might look back, but I gave him a light tap.

"Ignore that asshole, Toto. What, you wanna let him screw you over too?" said.

He whimpered softly, rubbing his head against my leg, those big eyes begging me to make it okay.

I scratched behind his ears and kept moving. I was done turning back for that lowlife.

Not today, not fucking ever-at least, that was what I swore to myself right then.

Jude's boots hit the pavement behind me, chasing. Toto stiffened, ready to go full guard-dog mode.

But then Vivian's whiny voice cut in, right on schedule. "Jude, babe, I think I'm, like, allergic again. It's so freaking itchy."

Mary, hovering nearby, gave me a concerned look. I just shook my head and flagged a

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Real comenient, Vivian. Not a single itch the whole time we were stuck in that precinct, but now? Her skin's as delicate as her goddamn lies.noveldrama

Back home, Toto tried to follow me inside, but I nudged him back gently.

Way stood there, her face all twisted up with hesitation. "Ada, my son's got a place in Kasenland now. He's pushing me to move out there with him."

Why hand clenched around Dodo's leash, fingers digging in. "Mrs. Carter, then what AL-WORds failed me.

She'd already done way too much, more than any neighbor ever owed me.

But if kept Toto with me? One day I was not home, and what then? He could get hurt.

badly Or worse.

Mary reached out, petting Toto's head, then fixed her eyes on me, steady but soft. "I know he's your heart, Ada. You've had him since he was a scrawny little thing, and with all the crap you're wading through, you need someone in your corner."

She sighed, deep and heavy. "But your husband... who knows when he'll flip his shit and go after Toto. If you can handle it, let me take him.",

stood there, frozen, my chest tight and throat locked. She didn't have to do this- stick her neck out to save my dog-but she was, because she couldn't stand the idea of him suffering.

Mary didn't press, just waited, letting me stew in my own head.

Time crawled, and Toto's quiet whimpers carved me open. I made my choice. "Mrs. Canter.. if you're okay with it, would you take him? I'll cover all his costs."

Her eyes searched mine, gentle but piercing. "You sure you can let him go, sweetheart?"

Il swiped at the tears stinging my face, nodding like my life depended on it. "Yeah.

I'm

sure.

He'd be safer with her, have a real shot at a good life-better than anything I could give

him now.

That night, Toto and I went home together one last time. I cooked him a massive pot of dog food-my cooking was always garbage, but Toyo never gave a damn. He'd scarf it down like it was a five-star meal.

Later, I curled up with him on the couch, face buried in his fur, tears soaking us both.

"Toto, you're about to be a world traveler, buddy. Most folks around here never even get a passport, and you're off to the big leagues." My voice cracked, and I held him closet, like I could keep him forever if I just squeezed hard enough. "I'm giving you every scrap of luck I've got left, okay?

"You gotta live large, be happy, chase all the squirrels."

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Chapter 13 A Better Life

I pressed my forehead to his, words barely making it out. "Once you're gone, I've

got nothing left they can break. No weak spots, no chinks in the armor. I'll be

fucking bulletproof, Toto. I'll keep going, keep breathing, keep fighting-just to show I can."

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