Chapter 1

The golden retriever my daughter-in-law keeps has a habit of relieving itself anywhere it pleases.

It not only defecated on my bed but also urinated on my vegetative son.

Furious, I decided to sell the dog, but my daughter-in-law thought I was overreacting.

"Don't be so petty. You're already halfway into the grave. Why are you picking on a dog?"

Afraid I might mistreat the dog, she let it sleep with her every night.

One night, I got up and heard strange noises coming from her room.

Worried the golden retriever was up to no good again, I cracked open the door and peeked inside.

What I saw would haunt me for the rest of my life.

One.

"Grace, the dog peed everywhere again!"

"Can't you control it? This house is turning into a kennel!"

I had just opened my bedroom door and nearly slipped on a puddle of dog urine.

I managed to grab the doorframe just in time.

Seeing I hadn't fallen, the golden retriever lounging on the sofa barked at me twice, almost like a taunt.

Liam was the dog my daughter-in-law Grace had raised before marriage. She adored him and brought him along when she married my son.

At first, I liked the golden retriever too, but he never warmed up to me.

I thought he was just shy around strangers, so I didn't pay it much mind.

But ever since my son's accident, the dog had been brought into our home and started causing chaos, showing no signs of obedience.

Lately, he had taken to relieving himself all over the house, leaving a foul stench everywhere.

I had repeatedly urged Grace to train him to use the bathroom properly.

She always agreed, but the dog continued his messy habits.

The house reeked of urine every day, and it drove me insane.

Seeing the dog grinning with his mouth open, I could no longer contain my anger. I stepped forward, ready to teach him a lesson.

Before my hand could reach him, Grace rushed over and shoved me aside.

She pushed me so hard I stumbled back several steps.

As soon as I steadied myself, she shot me a sharp glare.

"Mom, it's just a little pee on the floor. Was it necessary to hit Liam?"

She spoke while checking the dog's body for any harm.

I was already fed up with the dog's behavior. Seeing Grace not only failing to discipline him but coddling him made me even angrier.

I dropped my usual gentle tone and scolded her harshly. "Grace, as his owner, it's your responsibility to teach him how to behave like a proper pet!"

Hearing the word "pet," the dog reacted fiercely.

He seemed to despise the label, baring his teeth and growling at me as if ready to bite.

Seeing this, Grace quickly gathered him into her arms, comforting him and planting a kiss on his snout.

"Good boy, Liam. Don't be angry."

"Liam isn't a pet. He's my most beloved family member!"

Watching the two of them, I felt an inexplicable sense of revulsion.