Chapter 3

A villager clicked his tongue and said, "Do you really have to go all out just to save a dog? The woman you engaged sure has a kind heart."

As he spoke, he waved for others to come help.

Dax's face darkened, and he stepped forward to block them.

"Leave that lunatic alone. Maeve's dog is trapped on the right side."

I heard the commotion and turned around to see a group of people approaching.

With all their surprised eyes on me, I didn't hesitate. I dropped to my knees and kowtowed, choking back sobs.

"Please save my mom. She's trapped underneath, but he won't believe me. He insists on moving the slab on the other side!"

"What's going on here?"

Dax took a deep breath, pinched the bridge of his nose hard, and interrupted me sharply, "So a dog's life doesn't count anymore? Even if you're trying to get back at Maeve, is this the time and place to throw a tantrum?"

He turned and raised his voice, commanding attention.

"Everyone knows Maeve and I are close. But Talia? She's just bitter. She can't stand seeing Maeve happy and is using this as an excuse to try and kill her dog.

"Maeve has depression. That dog is the only reason she's still holding on. I can't just stand by and do nothing."

His words stirred everyone up.

After all, Dax was one of their own, born and raised in the village, so his version of things seemed more believable.

Maeve staggered into Dax's arms, sobbing like a poor, helpless soul, "It's my fault. I must've been in Talia's way. I'll move out... Fluffy was the last hope my parents left me. Without her, I really can't go on."

Everyone in the village knew Maeve's parents had passed away.

So, as soon as she said that, people believed her completely.

"What a sin!" Linda Murphy, holding a shovel, spat in my direction.

"Outsiders have no empathy. A dog's life matters too! You think a few words can justify letting it die? If your mom knew, she'd die from rage!"

Maeve let out a perfectly timed whimper. Dax pulled her close to comfort her.

Surrounded by all those accusing glares, I couldn't stop shaking.

My vision darkened, and my limbs went numb.

"You don't believe me either..." I kept swallowing hard, fighting the nausea rising in my throat.

[I know it's the plot, but Talia really looks pitiful.]

[Oh boy, we got a saint or something?]

[Just accept it, Talia. Your mom's already in her 60s. Saving her won't give her many more years anyway.]

But I didn't want to give up.

I carried my mother's hopes.

I held up my bloody hands. The pain was intense like my ten fingers were about to break off completely.

My voice trembled as I cried out, "You think I'm evil, that I made all this up? Why the hell would I go this far just to lie about a dog?!"

Dax scoffed, unimpressed, "Still acting, huh? What now, want us to get on our knees and beg you to be merciful?"

He stepped closer and questioned me coldly, "You keep saying your mom's under there? Then answer me. Your mom said just yesterday that she was in the next province. So how the hell is she at my house today, conveniently crushed under some slabs?"

[Dax is making sense!]

[Yeah, how did Talia know?]

[I remember she didn't react at first. Then, all of a sudden, she knew her mom was in trouble.]

[Wait... could she see our comments or something?]

I said nothing because he was right.

If I said I figured it out from the comments, they'd all think I'd gone insane.

Then, my mom would have no hope of being rescued.

Seeing me freeze, Dax sneered coldly, "If you behave now, the wedding's still on. But push me any further, and I will find someone else."

He thought that threat would scare me into submission.

He walked up, grabbed my chin, and smirked, "A woman like you, already used by me? No one else would want you. Not like Maeve. She hasn't even had her first kiss yet."

Still, I stayed silent because I just saw a comment scroll past.

[Stupid Talia, go borrow someone's phone and call your aunt Nola Granger. She'll tell you your mom went to see you.]

I immediately jerked free of Dax and ran toward a villager holding a phone.

"Let me make a call."

Without waiting for a reply, I snatched the phone hastily.

Thankfully, the phone didn't have a passcode.

My bloody, dusty fingers kept hitting the wrong keys.

When the call finally connected, I put it on speaker and shouted, "Nola, is my mom home? Did she go to my place today?"

Everyone turned to look.

Dax looked annoyed as hell by my persistence.

Just as he started storming toward me, Nola's voice came through the speaker.

"Huh? No, I think she went out to buy groceries. Wait. Are you at your boyfriend's place? Just stay there and..."

Before she could finish, Dax snatched the phone away, hung up, and handed it back to its owner.

He stared down at me, fuming. Then he grabbed my hair and roared, "You heard that, didn't you?! You really had to make a scene for everyone to laugh at?!"

Free Point

[Haha, Talia really can see the comments? Got tricked, didn't you?]

[Silly Talia, your mom really is trapped under the slab. Your mom asked Nola beforehand to tell you she was coming to give you a surprise. That's why Nola helped lie to you.]