The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

"What's going on?"

Gwyneth still had her fork and knife in hand as Hawthorne dabbed his mouth with a napkin. "I'll go take a look. Finish your breakfast, or you'll be late."

Hawthorne headed downstairs while Gwyneth hurriedly finished her milk, concern etched on her face as she trailed after him.

It wasn't long before she saw one of the housekeepers approaching, carrying a tiny, scruffy puppy. Hawthorne frowned. "Where did that come from?"

The housekeeper looked uneasy. "I'm not sure when, but there's a hole by the garden wall. It must have crawled in through there."

Except for the koi in the pond, Hawthorne almost never allowed pets in the house. He found them troublesome and preferred a quiet home; cats and dogs were too noisy for his taste.

"Get rid of it," he said coolly.

The housekeeper, well aware of Hawthorne's mood, quickly grabbed the puppy by the scruff and made for the door.

"Wait."

Gwyneth was now at the foot of the stairs, realizing they'd been chasing after a stray puppy. It didn't look like any particular breed, and its pitiful eyes and dirty fur tugged at her heart.

it?" Hawthorne's

just so

the puppy, but Hawthorne stopped her just in

go to a pet shop and get you one. But not

take it to the vet, can't we? I don't

just couldn't bear to see the little thing abandoned, not when she had a chance to

bring trouble, but Gwyneth's stubborn expression left

the vet. If it's

her arms around him, forgetting the housekeeper was right there, even happier than when he'd given

"Thank you."

sigh. "If I'd said no, would you have picked a fight

momentarily stunned, but then answered with

his house. She just

couldn't quite read. He looked at her for a long moment before speaking quietly. "Once it's cleared

the clock-eight already. If

"Alright, I'll go change."

rushed upstairs, changed quickly, then came back down to head out with Hawthorne, though