Punished for Skipping a Dog’s Funeral

When the nanny held a funeral for the family dog, I was at the hospital with my daughter Lily for her heart check-up, and couldnt attend.

That evening, my husband Richard Hayes confronted me.

I told you to go to the funeral in my place, didnt I? Why didnt you go? Do you know how heartbroken Lily was? That was her favorite dog.

Or was this intentional? Did you poison the dog yourself?

He spoke like an angry machine gun, each word harsher than the last.

I couldnt help snapping back. How can a dog ever compare to my daughter? Besides, I told her in advance.

Richard lowered his head and apologized.

Im sorry, honey. It was my oversight. Please dont be upset.

I thought the matter was over.

But when Lily finally got a chance at a new heart, Richard used it against meforcing me to carry the dogs ashes up a mountain in 108-degree heat.

You missed the pet funeral. Now, at the pastors memorial blessing, youll carry the ashes up the hill.

You said before a dog couldnt compare to your daughter. What about now?

So, he had held that grudge in his heart all along.

Tears filled my eyes as I demanded, Richard, in your heart, am I and your daughter really worth less than a dog?

The urn was custom-made, weighing over fifty pounds.

I myself weighed barely ninety, and my right leg had just undergone surgery.

If I really carried it uphill, it would kill me.

A dog truly cant compare to either of you, Richard said, seizing my chin. His voice sharpened: But you must learn rules. You must not be cold-hearted. This is your punishment.

Hatred flickered in his narrowed eyes.

Whose idea was this? Yours, or hers?

I glanced toward Vanessa Moore, who was standing nearby watching like it was theater, and let out a bitter laugh.

Who would have thought that eight years of marriage could be shattered so easily by an outsider?

Feigning panic, Vanessa said, Mr. Hayes, please stop! The harsher you are with your wife, the more shell hate me. I begged her to let me stay in this house

Her lips trembled, tears brimming in her eyes, as if I had always bullied her.

Richards grip tightened, nearly choking me.

Look what youve donescaring Vanessa like this. Today youll pay the price.

He finally released me, turned, and gently took Vanessas hand.

Lets go, he said softly.

Isnt this too much? After all, shes just a fragile woman. The heat might be too much for her, Vanessa continued her act.

Dont worry, Richard sneered. Shes tougher than an old sow.

With that, Richard chuckled and left with Vanessa in the car.

His departing figure felt like a knife twisting into my chest.

The cloud of dust from the car choked me, leaving me coughing.

This was the same man who once defied his family to marry me.

The man who braved a hurricane to find me, and who once loved to fall asleep in my arms.

Now he was a stranger, someone I feared.

As the dust settled, several large bodyguards surrounded me, chains in hand.

Maam, please dont blame us. These are Mr. Hayes orders, one said.

He wants us to strap the urn onto you. Best to cooperate, dont make things harder.

They were afraid I would run.

Afraid I would resist.

Richard Hayes even left men to watch me.

Richard, only now do I see your selfishness clearly. All your cleverness is spent only on tormenting me.

For Lilys life, Ill comply, I said, taking a deep breath. But before that, I want to make a call.

The Hayes family held immense power.

Only one man could save me from this nightmare.

This The bodyguard hesitated, then said, A call is not allowed. But you may send one message.

Fine.

I gave in, took the phone under his watchful eyes, and typed:

[Dad, Lily and I miss you.]

After I set the phone down, the urn was strapped onto my back, bending me nearly in half.

Forget climbingwalking a few steps on flat ground was nearly impossible.

The heat was suffocating, my face burning red.

And to make things worse, one bodyguard held a tablet on a live video call with Richard.

Onscreen, Richard sat beside Vanessa, eating watermelon in the cool air-conditioning, a glass of wine on the table.

To them, my suffering was just entertainment, like watching a circus act.

What are you waiting for? Move, Richard ordered coldly, raising his wine glass.

Vanessa didnt speak, but the smirk tugging at her lips betrayed her satisfaction.

I gritted my teeth, took two steps, and collapsed as my right leg gave out.

The heavy urn pinned me down, crushing my bones like a mountain.

A scream of pain escaped me.

Some of the guards couldnt bear it and tried to reason with Richard.

Sir, this is too much. In 108-degree weather, carrying fifty pounds uphill will kill her.

Richards face darkened. He slammed his glass against the table.

The guards fell silent.

Vanessa quickly stroked his chest, whispering sweetly, Dont be angry, Richard. Anger is bad for your health. Maybe the guards are right.

But the sharp look she gave them could have cut glass.

Im not angry. Im disgusted, Richard said with a smile, turning the venom back on me. Emily Carter, stop pretending. Get up. Lilys life is in your hands. If you disobey, Ill give that heart to someone else. Then you can watch her suffer.

He sneered. Just like at that pet funeralVanessa cried her heart out, but you were cold as stone.

I couldnt believe what I was hearing.

A father threatening his wife with his own daughters life?

Richard! I roared, eyes bloodshot. If anything happens to our daughter, I will haunt you even in death!

Perhaps it was the first time he had seen me so unhinged, because Richard froze for a moment before standing abruptly.

Mr. Hayes, maybe let it go, Vanessa interjected, biting her lip. After all, the dog was poisoned by Lily. His wife merely missed the funeral. Its not a big deal. I dont mind.

No. Richard cut her off immediately. If the mother fails to teach her daughter, then the mother must be punished.

He sat back down, his expression dark as he continued watching me like a cruel spectator.

How absurd.

Vanessa had no proof. She was an outsider.

And yet Richard believed her over me.

Richard was utterly convinced, blaming both Lily and me. His brain must have been kicked by a mule.

Mom!

Just as I managed to stand again, Lily came running toward me, drenched in sweat, her little face pale.

My heart clenched. Take her home, quickly, I urged the guards.

Im not going back! Lily shook her head stubbornly.

How odd, Vanessa said slyly. Wasnt Lily supposed to be in the hospital? Could it be that his wife arranged this?

Richard narrowed his eyes at me. Emily, you claim to love your daughter, unwilling to let her suffer. And now you drag her here to beg for you? How despicably fake.

The disgust in his gaze made me feel like a criminal.

I came on my own. A nurse told me, Lily explained hurriedly, then pleaded, Daddy, please let Mommy go. Her leg just had surgeryits bleeding!

For a moment I thought Richard would soften. Instead, he slammed the table.

So your mother taught you to lie too? Do you think I dont know her leg isnt injured?

Terrified, Lily flinched and stepped back, her eyes wide with fear.

I had told Richard about my surgery. Clearly, he had forgotten.

Maam, thats wrong of you, Vanessa jumped in. Teaching a child to lie? No wonder Richards angry.

Bad woman! Bad woman! Lily cried, trembling with rage. She didnt have the words, but she knew Vanessa was cruel.

Shut up! Richard roared again, glaring at me. So you speak ill of Vanessa in front of Lily too? With such a poisonous tongue, how can you call yourself a Hayes wife? I should never have let you raise her. If Lily had grown up with Vanessa, shed never have learned to lie.

Vanessas eyes sparkledshe clearly thought she was about to replace me.

Daddy, dont listen to that bad woman! Lily sobbed. Im not lying. If you dont believe me, look at Mommys leg!

But Richard refused to listen.

Drag this girl aside. Let her watch and learn what happens to those who break the rules.

Its scorching hot! Youd let Lily stand out here in the sun? I cried.

He glanced at Lilys pale face but was too blinded by rage.

Enough. Climb, or else

The unfinished threat was clear enough.

I dared not argue further, terrified he might turn his fury on Lily.

So I staggered forward, every step heavier than the last.

Richards lips curled into a satisfied smirk at my obedience.

Within minutes, sweat soaked through my clothes.

The sun blazed like an oven, my head spinning, nausea rising in my throat.

Suddenly my right leg gave way again, and I fell, my mouth slamming against the ground.

Blood smeared across my lips, brighter than the carpet on our wedding day.

My unhealed wound tore open, blood soaking through my white dress.

The guards paled with horror.

Richard leapt to his feet at last, his face betraying real panic.

Lily broke free and ran to my side, sobbing. She turned toward Richard Hayes and cried out, Daddy! Mommys mouth and leg are bleedingplease take her to the hospital!

Her little face was full of panic.

Richard was about to speak when Vanessa Moore interjected first, Yes, send her to the hospital. This blood looks just like spilled paintits frightening.

She pretended to defend me, but in truth, she was hinting that I was faking it.

Richard hesitated for a moment, then sat back down with a sneer. Emily Carter, I almost forgot the little play you and Lily are acting. Did you really think a fake blood pack on your leg would fool me? Im not that stupid.

Hearing this, I gave a bitter smile. If you think its fake, have the guards check.

Daddy, were not lying! Lily pleaded, tears streaming down her cheeks.

But Richard only poured himself another glass of wine, sipping slowly.

Is there even a need to check? If you cant stand, then crawl up the mountain. Either way, youll finish this today.

His voice was firm, offering no compromise.

Beside him, Vanessas lips curled higher and higher, unable to hide her triumph.

I had no choice but to crawl forward, terrified of jeopardizing Lilys heart surgery.

But the urn was unbearably heavy, and with my injured right leg useless, I could only claw at the ground with my hands, inching forward like a worm.

Within minutes, my fingertips were bleeding.

Mommy, stop crawling! I dont want treatment anymore, I dont want it! Lily clutched my arm and wailed.

Its okay, sweetheart. Be good, go home first. Dont worry about Mommy.

I forced a weak smile, but blood loss made my voice faint, my head dizzy, and my lips dry.

I felt like Id soon shrivel into a dried husk under the blazing sun.

Mommy, please stop! Youll die from this!

Lily turned to the tablet screen, dropped to her knees, and begged, Daddy, please take Mommy to the hospital. Ill be a good girl from now on. I wont get treatment anymore

Her words were incoherent, tumbling out in desperation.

Richard frowned, staring at Lily, as though weighing something.

Daddy, Im begging you! Save Mommy!

Lily smashed her forehead against the ground again and again, blood gushing from the cuts.

Even the guards couldnt bear the sight. They tried to pull Lily away while pleading with Richard to stop.

Lily, enough. Go with the guards. Youll strain your heart like this.

The tears I had been holding back finally broke free, my chest aching for Lily.

I wont go! I want to stay with Mommy!

She struggled fiercely, trembling all over.

Richard opened his mouth to speak, but Vanessa cut in again, her tone sharper than ever.

Emily, youve gone too far. This is between adultswhy drag a child into it?

Her words carried the arrogance of a mistress already playing the lady of the house.

Richard narrowed his eyes at me. Emily, if Lily comes to any harm today, it will be your fault. Youre cruel, poisonous, and shameless!

Eight years of marriageand he now described me with such venom.

How laughable.

What had I done to deserve this?

Everyone step back! Whoever dares help her, Ill destroy your families!

Emily, stop pretending. Crawl!