My Husband Chose Her Dogs Over Me

Chapter 4

Leanna had proudly posted all over social media—Franco had gone above and beyond, importing eight specialty items just for her precious puppies.

Standing there watching their cozy little scene, I let out a bitter, hollow laugh.

So this... was the man I'd shared my life with for a decade.

My tear-swollen eyes locked onto them just as Franco glanced up. His face went rigid, and after a stunned beat, he roughly shoved Leanna away.

I stepped out of the car, my approach slow but deliberate.

Leanna staggered, confused—until she spotted me. Realization flashed across her face, quickly replaced by a venomous glare.

"Mara, this isn't what it looks like," Franco started, voice shaky. "I just got back from my business trip—"

Keep digging that hole, liar.

A nearby security guard's casual remark landed like a sledgehammer: "Thought you took vacation days? You've been doting on those pups like they're your own kids for nearly a week now."

That offhand comment shattered my last shred of hope. I pulled out the divorce papers and thrust them at him. "We're done, Franco."

His stunned expression said it all—he never actually believed I'd leave.

Leanna clutched a puppy to her chest, stepping forward with fake concern. "Mara, please don't blame him! My dog was sick, and he only helped because he's a doctor—"

"A doctor?" My laugh was razor-sharp. "For humans, not animals. He abandoned our sick child for your damn dog. Don't you dare paint him as some saint."

"But my puppy was suffering! Look how sweet he is—" She shoved the furry bundle toward me. The second it touched my skin, bile rose in my throat. I jerked back. "Don't touch me!"

That's when I saw it—the triumphant gleam in her eyes.

Then she hurled the puppy with terrifying force.

A high-pitched yelp cut through the air.

"My baby!" Leanna collapsed by the small, motionless body, blood oozing from its muzzle. She turned tear-filled eyes to me. "If you hate me, take it out on me! That puppy had his whole life ahead of him!"

I opened my mouth—

Crack!

Franco's slap snapped my head sideways. "That was a living creature! How could you?" My cheek burned, the sting nothing compared to the betrayal.

Suddenly Leanna broke free, sprinting toward the overpass railing. "Without my puppy, I can't go on! Franco, care for the others—I'll repay you in the next life!"

He caught her at the last second, then turned on me with blazing fury. "You know she's depressed! Was pushing her this far your goal? We're through!"

The growing crowd's murmurs swelled around us.

"I didn't..." My voice barely carried. "I never touched—"

Phones emerged, recording everything. Franco snatched the papers and scrawled his signature. "Happy? You got your divorce!"

"I want Alec. The twins are nursing, I know the courts will side with you there. But I'll fight for our son!"

Standing there disheveled, I smiled like a woman possessed. "Franco... you'll get none of them."

"You think I'd let a monster like you near my son?" he roared.

My voice broke. "Because they're dead!"

"You'd rather claim our children are dead than let me have custody? You're inhuman!"

I picked up the papers, ignoring the recording phones, the whispers. Let the world judge.

All that mattered now was bringing my babies home—to rest beside their grandmother.

Next morning, Leanna's voice message arrived.

Moans. Breathless promises.

I closed the audio, ejected my SIM card, and watched it disappear under passing cars.

"Driver? The airport."