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.

to keep it?" Hawthorne's

think it's just so

reached out to take the puppy, but Hawthorne stopped

go to a pet shop and get you one. But not this one. Stray dogs can carry diseases-we don't know where it's

vet, can't we? I don't want

the little thing abandoned, not

bring trouble, but Gwyneth's stubborn expression left no room for negotiation-he

to the vet. If it's healthy, you

barely believing he'd agreed. She threw her arms around him, forgetting the housekeeper was right there, even happier than when he'd given

"Thank you."

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

momentarily stunned, but then answered

want it, she wouldn't have forced the issue. After all, it was his house. She just couldn't

a long moment before speaking quietly. "Once it's cleared by the yet, you can bring it home. Now hurry, you're

only then that Gwyneth glanced at the clock-eight already. If she didn't leave now, she'd definitely

"Alright, I'll go change."

then came back down to head out with Hawthorne, though they each left in