When I was seven months pregnant, my husband sent me to a dog training center for discipline, simply because I refused to share the soup I made with his mistress.

In the iron cage, the rabid dog foamed at the mouth, its eyes fixed on me with a ravenous glare.

Outside, my husband Jackson Duncan hugged and kissed his mistress, Georgina Lavern, affectionately.

Then he looked at me with undisguised mockery. "So high and mighty just now, weren't you? Refusing to share soup with Gina.

"The dogs here obey their owners. Learn from them. You'd better learn too—once you know your place, you can come out."

***

I held onto the bars of the iron cage tightly, terrified.

"Are you joking, Jackson? I spent six months begging that old herbalist for this recipe. It's meant to protect our baby!

"I know you don't care about me, but at least show some concern for our baby!"

But Jackson merely frowned in disgust.

"Do you think I'm a fool? You're seven months pregnant already. The baby's perfectly fine.

"Because you wouldn't give Gina your soup, her stomach pain got worse, and she ended up hospitalized.

"Get down on your knees and apologize to her. Otherwise, you'll stay in this dog training center until you learn your place!"

I sneered as I took in their self-righteous display.

"Tell me, then—as your lawful wife, where am I supposed to stand?"

Jackson glanced at me coldly before speaking with contempt.

"Since you are my wife, you'll have to obey me.

"Gina's my assistant. Her orders are my orders. From now on, you have to do whatever she tells you to!"

For a moment, I felt like I'd fallen into an icy pool.

I'd been married to Jackson for ten years, but it couldn't compare to the five months he had with Georgina.

He had enjoyed my unwavering devotion and meticulous care for ten years! And now, he expected me to serve Georgina?!

I protectively placed my hands on my belly and glared at Jackson.

"Jackson, I can compromise on other things, but when it comes to our child, I will not give an inch!"

Jackson sneered.

"You think your pregnancy is a golden ticket?

"Gina's three months pregnant, but unlike you, she isn't unreasonable at all!"

I looked at Jackson in disbelief.

No wonder he had become so cruel!

In the past, even though Jackson loved Georgina deeply, he would always give in whenever I brought up our child.

Seeing Georgina smirk at me while nestled in Jackson's arms made my chest tighten, leaving me a little breathless.

The wolfhound inside the iron cage suddenly began barking. I was startled, and my belly twitched. A stabbing pain tore through my waist and abdomen. I froze, every breath shallow and shaky.

"Jackson, my belly hurts... Take me to the hospital!"

"Ashy, Jack says you'll have to apologize to me first. Or you'll stay here to learn some rules. Are you going to defy him?" Georgina said.

Jackson's face darkened. "I've already given you a chance! Since you refuse to apologize, it's time you learn some manners from these dogs!

"Bring the wolfhound here!"

The dog trainer approached the iron cage with the tall wolfhound, looking menacing.

"Jackson, I was almost mauled to death by a wolfhound trying to save you! Did you already forget that?"

Ever since then, I was afraid of getting close to dogs, especially wolfhounds.

As I looked at the wolfhound in front of me, my hands couldn't stop shaking.

Jackson was filled with contempt.

"How could I? You cried like a coward in the hospital, asking for your parents.

"It's a pity the dog didn't bite off your leg back then, or you would've learned your lesson.

"Today this wolfhound's going to do what should've been done years ago!"

My lips went pale; disbelief washed over me. A ripping pain shot through my belly, as if I were being stabbed by countless needles. Cold sweat slid down my face.

Just then, Georgina said with feigned concern, "Jack, Ashy is holding onto her abdomen. Could she be hungry? Why don't I give her my soup?

"Pregnant women can't go hungry, or they'll end up in the hospital like me."

Jackson looked at me with even more disgust.

"The child in her belly is as vile as she is. Dog food is all they deserve!"

The dog trainer brought a plate of dog food with various leftovers mixed.

The sour, greasy smell hit my nose, almost making me faint.

In front of Georgina, there was a mug of fragrant chicken soup.

While Jackson gently fed Georgina chicken soup, he said to me coldly, "Ashley, if you don't finish this dog food today, forget about going to the hospital."

Pretending to be concerned, Georgina asked, "Jack, if you let her out to eat, won't she try to escape?"

"That's easy. We'll just put a leash on her."

Jackson waved his hand, and the dog trainer fastened a collar around my neck. He then dragged me forcefully toward the plate of dog food.

My stomach was churning. I was about to step back when Jackson kicked me in the shin, forcing me to kneel.

"Are you still being picky right now?

"If I see any leftovers here, I'll make this wolfhound devour you!

"It's been starving, and you should know better than anyone else how ferocious it can be!"

He pressed his foot down on the back of my hand, speaking mercilessly.

The back of my hand was bruised so hard that it hurt. I tried my best to slam into Jackson, but I knocked over the dog plate, and the leftover dog food splattered all over the floor.

"Come on, Ashy. I have a weak stomach, yet you're so disgusting. Can't you let me drink my soup in peace?"

Georgina's eyes reddened, and she covered her mouth while shrinking back.

Jackson slapped me harshly. "Why are you so vicious, Ashley? It took ages for Gina's appetite to return slightly, yet you're deliberately affecting her!

"If you can't even feed yourself, I'll do it for you!"

With those words, Jackson pinched my chin, lifted the plate, and forced the foul, greasy mixture into my mouth.

He was so rough that he nearly broke my jaw, and the pain blurred my vision.

I shook my head desperately. The soup flowed down my chin into my collar, and the sour smell stuck to my skin. I felt so disgusted, almost suffocating.

Jackson continued shoving down more food, and his grip almost crushed my jaw.

The dog food was finally emptied, and I was covered in filth, looking like an abandoned stray dog.

Jackson pushed me away in disgust and kicked me hard in the belly.

Severe pain instantly swept through my body, and dark red blood flowed out between my legs.

My child...

As I dug my fingernails into my palms, I forced myself to look up.

"My family has been supporting your company all this time, Jackson! Take me to the hospital now, or my family will never let you off the hook!"

Jackson smiled even more arrogantly. He bent down and grabbed me by the hair, forcing me to look at him.

"Still using your family to pressure me, huh? They haven't helped me in years. How dare you bring them up?!

"Once Gina secures the 1.5 billion-dollar project for me, I'm going to ruin your family first! I'll make those two old bastards in your family kneel and beg for food!"

Given what Jackson's company could handle right now, it couldn't even manage a 1.5 million-dollar project, let alone one worth 1.5 billion dollars.

I wanted to tell him the truth.

But when I saw both his and Georgina's smug faces, I swallowed the words I was about to say.

After all, this was his own fault.

More importantly, I had to leave this damn place with my child!

I quietly reached for the phone in my pocket, keeping calm as I tried to buy myself more time.

"Jackson, if it weren't for my family's support, do you think your small company could have survived?

"My parents secretly invested in your projects, cleared all obstacles, and even paired you with business partners. Do you think those resources just appeared out of nowhere?"

Before Jackson could say anything, Georgina sneered beside him.

"Ashy, stop flattering yourself.

"I've been networking with Mr. Cantelo over drinks and helping with negotiations. That is how Jack's company has been able to flourish. What does it have to do with the Nygard family?"

The mocking smile on Georgina's face pierced my heart.

If it weren't for this woman, Jackson, who had doted on me for ten years, wouldn't have changed his mind overnight.

She continued to show off in front of me, claiming that my family and I were worthless.

I stared at Georgina with hatred, gritting my teeth as I said, "Don't get too cocky. I can't believe you're making things up about a 1.5 billion-dollar project. I know about you and Colton Cantelo..."

Before I could finish my words, Georgina interrupted me sharply.

She screamed, "You're just a shrew, Ashy! You have no say in the company's affairs. Stop pretending like you know everything!

"Jack, you know I reached out to Colton to help you secure the project, don't you?"

Georgina leaned against Jackson and traced circles on his chest with her fingers. She began flirting with him as though no one was around.

Jackson nodded in understanding and looked at me in disgust.

"You're so stubborn! I can't believe you're slandering Gina! You need to be taught a lesson!"

Georgina pointed at the wolfhound not far away and said maliciously, "Jack, are those dogs in heat? I've never seen a human and a dog mate. Can you make it happen today?"

"If you want to, I'll make it happen. After all, healthy babies come from happy, pregnant women."

Jackson caressed Georgina's bulging belly, his tone incredibly gentle. However, his words were harsh.

They felt like a heavy punch, hitting me right in the chest.

Seeing the dog trainer walking toward me, I panicked. I glanced down at the number I had dialed and shouted desperately, "Help me! Jackson has locked me up in the dog training base!"

Georgina's expression dropped, and she immediately stepped forward to grab my phone from my pocket.

She feigned innocence as she read out the name on the phone, asking, "Jack, who is Alexander Matten? Is he Ashy's secret lover?"

Jackson's face twisted instantly. He rushed over, grabbed my neck, and pushed me to the ground.

"Turns out you're really having an affair with him! You even went to him for help!

"You fickle bitch! Since you like hooking up with wild men so much, I'll let you have a good time with the wolfhound! Women who betray me always end up miserable!

"Someone, throw her into the cage of that wolfhound in heat!"

Alexander was Jackson's roommate and my childhood sweetheart.

In the past, Alexander always showed up whenever I was in trouble.

But ever since I started dating Jackson, he seemed to have evaporated from the face of the earth and disappeared from my world.

I knew the call had only just gone through, and no one could find this place immediately.

The dog trainer grabbed me so tightly that I couldn't breathe. The pain in my lower abdomen intensified, and my vision blurred.

The trainer seized my arm and dragged me toward the wolfhound's cage. The rough ground scraped my knees, making them bleed.

I closed my eyes in despair.

Just as the trainer's hand reached the wolfhound's cage, I heard a voice I hadn't heard in years. "Let her go!"