She Killed My Dog for Her First Love–Now She's Drowning in Regret

Before Valerie's grandmother passed away, her dying wish was for Valerie to marry me.

So, even though she still loved her high school sweetheart, Valerie stuck to our engagement.

Until her high school sweetheart killed the puppy I'd raised since it was tiny.

Valerie, yet again, chose to stand by him.

This time, I didn't argue.

I just contacted my professor and applied to join his top-secret research project.

Before I left, I gave myself seven days to sort everything out.

On the first day, I took off the engagement ring, the one that was supposed to symbolize "forever."

On the third day, I handed in my resignation to the company.

It wasn't until the day I left that Valerie seemed to suddenly remember Lucky, promising to take me to pick out a new puppy tomorrow.

Immediately after, she added, "Brandon needs a tux for the company's charity gala tonight. Get it ready and send it over to him."

I smiled and agreed, and from that moment on, I disappeared from her life forever.

Later, every time Valerie heard news of me, she would stare blankly at that engagement ring.

It was the lover she could never get back, and the new puppy she would never get to give away

Looking at the non-disclosure agreement in my hand, I signed my name without a moment's hesitation.

"Professor Davies, I'm ready to join the Rocket Development Project."

He looked at me with a hint of regret. "Julian, you need to understand, this project is highly classified. Once you're in, you'll need to go off-grid for at least ten years, cutting off all contact with the outside world."

"Aren't you getting married soon? You should at least discuss this with your fiance."

Remembering Valerie's cold and resolute face, I shook my head with a bitter smile. "There's no need."

Professor Davies was silent for a moment before finally nodding. "Alright. Get ready. We leave in seven days."

When I left Professor Davies' office, it was raining. I didn't bother with an umbrella, walking all the way back to that cold apartment, drenched.

As expected, Valerie still wasn't home.

Brandon had taken Lucky, the puppy I'd raised since it was tiny, and when I confronted him, Valerie had snapped at me. I hadn't seen her for three days since then.

I pulled the ring off my finger and tossed it carelessly into the back of a drawer.

It was "forever," Valerie's own design, symbolizing a lifetime of commitment, a promise of "till death do us part."

I had once been naive enough to believe we would grow old together.

But ever since Brandon came back to the country, everything changed.

Valerie stopped remembering my birthday, stopped caring about my feelings. I became nothing more than a disposable shadow in this house.

I was about to take off my soaked shirt when the doorbell rang.

I opened the door to find Brandon standing outside, a look of disdain and arrogance on his face. He casually nudged something on the ground with his foot.

"Your dog. Unfortunately, it got hit by a car."

I stared in disbelief at his feetLucky's tiny body was curled up there, his fur matted with mud and blood.

My heart twisted, and my eyes instantly burned.

Seeing my reaction, Brandon's lips curled into a barely perceptible smirk. "It's just a dog. Why are you crying like someone in your family died?"

I couldn't hold back anymore. I shot up and grabbed his collar. "You did this, didn't you?!"

Just then, Valerie rushed over, drawn by the noise. Her brows furrowed as she saw the scene.

Brandon smoothly brushed my hand away and sighed at Valerie. "I understand he's upset about his pet. But he seems to think this is my fault."

Valerie immediately glared at me, her eyes filled with displeasure. "Brandon was being kind, bringing Lucky back! Julian, you're out of control."

I pointed at Lucky, my voice trembling. "Kind? Look at him!"

Valerie's gaze swept over the tiny body on the ground. A flicker of pity crossed her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by irritation. "It was just an accident! Julian, can't you be more mature? We're sad about it, but life goes on. Grandma's trust fund for you is more than enough to handle this."

"A 'dog'?" I stared at her, barely able to breathe. She knew what Lucky meant to me C he was the last gift my mother gave me before she died.

She had once stood by my mother's hospital bed, solemnly promising to take care of Lucky and me.

Now, to defend Brandon, she casually dismissed him as "just a dog."

Valerie's heart had clearly strayed beyond return. I was tired, too tired to argue anymore.

Thinking of my impending departure, a sense of relief washed over me.

Valerie ignored me, turning to Brandon, her tone softening. "It's pouring outside. Let me walk you out."

Brandon nodded. As he turned to follow Valerie, he glanced back at me, a provocative glint in his eyes.

Watching them walk away side-by-side, I smiled bitterly.

It turned out the Valerie who had fallen for me at first sight, who had pursued me so passionately, had never truly loved me.

I was just a comfort during her loneliness, and Brandon, he was her heart's true desire.

Now, her true love was back.

It was time for me, the placeholder, to make my exit.

But none of that mattered anymore. I locked the ring and the unsigned pre-nuptial agreement in the drawer.

Valerie would never know that the agreement her grandmother had forced her to sign, stipulating that half her assets be transferred to me, I had never even taken to a lawyer for notarization, nor had I signed my name.

After Lucky's cremation, I buried him next to my mother's tombstone.

Early on the third day, Professor Davies sent me the exact departure time. I replied, "Received," then walked into the Human Resources office.

The process of formally resigning went unusually smoothly, perhaps they had been displeased with me for a while.

As soon as I closed the office door, hushed voices drifted out:

"Quitting just like that? It's different when your fiance is about to be CEO. I heard Valerie's grandmother designated half her trust fund to him."

"What CEO's husband? They're not even married yet. I bet it's because Valerie transferred his key project to Brandon."

"Wasn't that the project he'd been working on for almost two years? It was almost finished. Letting Brandon take over now is like letting him just waltz in and claim the credit."

"So what? Brandon is Valerie's favorite."

I couldn't blame them for thinking that. As soon as Brandon returned to the country, Valerie gave him a Senior Vice President position. Even though he was completely unqualified, she would personally hand projects to him.

She even made me pull all-nighters to revise proposals for Brandon, to entertain clients for him, until I ended up hospitalized with a stomach hemorrhage. Even then, she merely said, "You owe him."

Listening to the continuous mockery, my heart remained calm.

I just wished time would pass faster.

Paperwork done, I returned to the apartment with a box of personal belongings, only to find Valerie and Brandon having breakfast in the dining room, chatting and laughing.

Watching Valerie naturally feed Brandon a bite of food, my fingers tightened slightly.

Once, I accidentally used her water glass, and she immediately hired a professional team to disinfect the entire kitchen, sternly warning me to mind my boundaries.

Turns out she wasn't a germaphobe; she just recoiled from intimacy with me.

Seeing me return, Brandon deliberately hooked his finger around Valerie's hand, his tone light but subtly pointed. "Valerie, if you gave Julian's position to me, won't he be upset?"

Valerie didn't even lift her head, scoffing. "I'm the CEO. Do I need his permission for my decisions?"

"But he hasn't been home for days."

"Let him throw a tantrum, ignore him." Valerie's voice was impatient.

A victorious smile flickered in Brandon's eyes, and he leaned casually on her shoulder, an intimate gesture.

I remained silent, walking straight towards the stairs.

"Julian!" Valerie finally noticed me, a flicker of discomfort crossing her face. She angrily dropped her knife and fork onto her plate, ordering, "Stop!"

I didn't stop. She took a few quick steps and grabbed my arm.

"Julian, are you done with your tantrum? You decided to come back?" She reached for the box in my arms.

I stepped aside to avoid her. "Don't bother, you have other things to tend to."

Valerie's face darkened further, about to erupt, when Brandon's voice chimed in, just the right hint of dependence. "Valerie, I'd love some scrambled eggs. Yours are the best."

"Okay." Valerie immediately turned and walked to the kitchen.

I was about to head to my room when Brandon blocked the staircase.

"Something wrong?" I looked at him.

He glanced towards the kitchen, his docile expression vanishing.

"You heard it all, didn't you?" He lowered his voice, an undisguised arrogance in his tone. "Julian, you know perfectly well Valerie's heart belongs to me. If her grandmother hadn't forced her, do you really think you'd have been in this position?"

"I heard the old lady left you a lot of stuff? Don't actually think those things are yours." He advanced half a step, his gaze intense. "Be smart, hand over that agreement yourself. If I say the word, she'll make you leave anytime."

He paused, a mocking smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, I forgot. Your family is gone. You're pretty much a stray dog with nowhere to go now. No wonder you're clinging to Valerie so desperately."

I could endure any humiliation he threw at me.

But he shouldn't have mentioned my family. A cold fury instantly gripped my heart. I lowered my voice, each word deliberate. "Brandon, shut your mouth."

"Julian! What crazy stunt are you pulling now?!" Valerie's angry shout came from the kitchen doorway. She had clearly heard my low growl and quickly rushed over, instinctively shielding Brandon behind her.

I froze. In that instant, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Brandon's mouth twitch almost imperceptibly. Then, his foot slipped, he let out a gasp, and his body seemed to lose balance, falling backward, but his hand "accidentally" slammed hard into my arm.

I was already standing at the edge of the stairs, holding a box and off-balance. The sudden force sent me sprawling backward, tumbling down the stairs. Excruciating pain shot through my entire body.

"Julian!" Valerie dropped what she was holding and rushed down the stairs to help me.

Brandon followed, a hint of panic and helplessness on his face. He clutched his arm, his brow furrowed, and explained to Valerie, "Valerie, I... I lost my footing and accidentally bumped him. I'm so sorry." His voice was soft, with a deliberate note of suppressed pain, but his gaze darted quickly to me, a fleeting, almost imperceptible coldness in his eyes.

Valerie checked Brandon to make sure he was okay, then frowned at me. "Are you alright? Do you need to go to the hospital? Brandon didn't mean it, don't make a big deal out of this."

I shook my head, turning my face away in pain, only to see my resignation letter and that confidential document lying scattered among my belongings.

My heart leaped into my throat. Ignoring the pain, I fumbled to gather them.

"I'll get it." Valerie had already knelt down, picking up the resignation letter before me.

My breath hitched, my eyes fixed on her hand. Fortunately, her attention was entirely on the letter. I quickly tucked the confidential document under other miscellaneous items.

"You quit?" Her tone held surprise.

"Yeah." I haphazardly stuffed my things back into the box.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she asked, displeased. "I told you to hand over the project to Brandon, and you were so unwilling. Did you finally come to your senses?"

Perhaps my face was too pale, as her tone softened slightly for a rare moment. "It's fine that you quit. Grandma left you enough to live on. Just be Mr. Wen now, and stop competing with Brandon. He's innocent; he doesn't have as many tricks up his sleeve as you do."

I bit my lower lip, nodding, my heart feeling like it was being pricked by countless needles.

I endured the pain, trying to stand. She reached out to help me, then continued, "Before you leave, make sure to explain all the project details to Brandon, so those difficult clients don't give him trouble."

"He's not as good at dealing with people as you are, and he's not like you, knowing how to win over Grandma and get so much stuff."

I didn't want to waste any more time on them. I calmly replied, "Okay."

Valerie seemed pleased by my obedience, a faint smile gracing her lips. "That's better. I've neglected you lately, but once Brandon fully takes over your work, I'll make it up to you."

"After Grandma's mourning period is over, we'll have our wedding, so she can rest in peace."

I bit my lip hard, suppressing the ache in my chest. That day would never come.

Over the next few days, I quietly packed my bags, prepared a detailed project memo for Brandon, and made time to visit Valerie's grandmother's grave, informing her of my decision. She had loved me dearly in life; I knew she wouldn't want to see me suffer like this.

On the last day, Valerie didn't go to the office.

I was a little nervous, wondering how to avoid her. But she found the long-unused astronomical telescope. "Brandon wants to go stargazing and camping in the park. I'm going with him today."

"Okay." I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This suited me perfectly.

"The company's charity gala is tonight," she added. "Get his tux ready."

I thought for a moment. By then, I would already be on my way to Nevada.

Brandon walked over, intimately linking his arm through Valerie's, his voice tinged with a well-placed hint of difficulty and grievance. "Valerie, asking Julian to prepare the tux... his project files caused me so much trouble with clients before. Maybe I should just wear something casual? I don't want to..."

He lowered his eyes, his voice trailing off. Though there were no tears, he perfectly portrayed that look of suppressed grievance, of being wronged but not stating it directly.

Valerie immediately frowned and glared at me. "Julian! If you don't want to, you can just say so! Doing these sneaky things behind my back is truly disappointing!"

The moment of departure was close at hand. I didn't want any more conflict. I calmly told Brandon, "My apologies, that was my oversight last time. It won't happen again." Then I said to Valerie, "I'll prepare the tux, don't worry."

A faint look of shame flickered across Valerie's face. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke in a stiff voice, "Julian, tomorrow... tomorrow I'll go with you to pick out a new puppy. We'll definitely find one just like Lucky."

Before the car Professor Davies sent came to pick me up, I had already delivered the perfectly ironed tux. I also placed the "forever" ring and the never-effective pre-nuptial agreement on the living room table.

Carrying my simple luggage downstairs, Professor Davies looked at my expressionless face and sighed softly.

"Since you've made your decision, focus on your work there and make a real impact."

"I will."

The car started, and Valerie's mansion grew smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror, eventually disappearing from sight.

In the early hours of the morning, Valerie returned home with a slightly tipsy Brandon.

The house was dark and silent. She instinctively felt annoyed. Usually, no matter how late, I would always leave a light on in the living room.

"Julian? Go make some hangover soup."

The empty house offered no response.

Valerie irritably flipped on the light. The moment her gaze landed on the documents and the ring on the table, her pupils constricted, and she shrieked, "Julian! Who gave you permission to take off the ring!"

But the empty house offered no response, only silence.

Valerie stood in the center of the living room, unaware that her heart was trembling.

Everyone exchanged confused glances, wondering what was wrong with Valerie, why she was suddenly acting this way.

But a chill radiated from Valerie, and no one dared to approach.

So they subtly nudged Brandon. "Brandon, what's wrong with Valerie?"

"Don't you want to go check on her?"

"Yeah, it looks like Valerie is looking for something."

Someone even whispered, "Didn't Valerie stop caring about Julian ages ago? Why is she looking for him now?"

"Right? Julian already quit, what's the point of looking for him?"

The whispers reached Valerie's ears, but she was too preoccupied to listen.

Her mind was consumed with where Julian could be, and why he had taken off the ring.

For the first time, panic began to set in. She felt as if something was slipping from her grasp, and her heartbeat echoed in her ears, almost deafening her.

Valerie snatched up the documents and the ring from the table and rushed towards Julian's room.

Ever since Brandon's return, she and Julian had been sleeping in separate rooms.

Valerie had said Brandon would misunderstand, that he would be upset.

But she had never considered whether Julian would be sad, or upset, even though he was her fianc.

She should have realized then that it was just Brandon's way of marking his territory.

But she had foolishly believed that everything would get better once she and Julian were married, that she would change.

But what was the reality?

Valerie had only pushed Julian's boundaries, only hurt him, time and time again.

And all it took was a single word from Brandon.

Seeing Valerie's panicked state, Brandon secretly gloated, wondering if this meant his chance had finally arrived.

"Valerie."

"Forget about him for now. Who knows where he's gone off to."

Brandon walked up to Valerie, attempting to gently stop her, but she flung his arm away.

The force of her push was not insignificant. Brandon stumbled, hitting the wall. A dull pain shot through his shoulder blade, making him wince and suck in a sharp breath. "Ow... that hurts."

The woman who should have immediately fussed over him, showering him with concern, now seemed deaf to his pain, not even sparing him a glance.

Brandon put on his familiar pained and wronged expression, his brow slightly furrowed, his voice dropping. "Valerie, you hurt me..."

In the past, if he ever showed the slightest discomfort, no matter what it was, Valerie would agree to anything.

Even on their engagement night, when he asked Valerie to abandon Julian and come to him, she would do it.

All past events proved that Valerie's indulgence for him surpassed everything.

But now Valerie was pushing him away like this. It was something he simply couldn't accept.

"Valerie!" Brandon called out again, his voice tinged with displeasure and a hint of almost imperceptible panic. Unwilling to bear the pain, he tried to catch up but, seeing he couldn't, stopped, clutching the sore spot, his face pale.

Someone stepped forward to express concern. "Brandon, are you okay?"

"Where did you hit yourself? Is it serious?"

Brandon shook his head, completely baffled by Valerie's sudden coldness.

He hesitated, then turned to look at his friend C Valerie's secretary, who naturally knew Valerie's affairs well.

He blurted out, "It's Valerie's pre-nuptial agreement."

"Valerie's grandmother made her sign it, and I was the one who delivered it to Mr. Julian for his signature. I don't know why he never sent it for notarization to become legally binding."

"Could it be that he doesn't want that trust fund?"

The secretary looked completely astonished, as if she couldn't comprehend it.

Brandon, however, was secretly overjoyed. "Does that mean Julian isn't going to marry Valerie now?"

This was Julian giving up willingly. He had been preparing for a much longer wait to get what he wanted.

Now that the opportunity was right in front of him, there was no reason not to seize it.

He even thought that if Julian were there, he would "thank" him profusely for stepping aside.

Seeing the barely concealed delight on his face, the secretary looked puzzled. "You're happy they're not getting married?"

"Didn't you always want them to get married?"