Chapter 2

Winter's POV

Ruby sensed my tension and immediately became alert. We started walking faster, and the SUV accelerated too.

DAMN IT! My heart was pounding. Just as I was about to bolt, Ruby suddenly stopped. She turned toward the SUV and let out a low whimper—but there was something in that sound I'd never heard before. Anticipation.

Wait, what the hell?

The black SUV slowly pulled over. I gripped Ruby's leash tight, ready to run. But Ruby showed no fear at all—instead, she started wagging her tail excitedly.

The car door opened.

The person who stepped out made my world freeze instantly. Tall figure, penetrating eyes, and that face I'd seen on countless magazine covers.

Dylan Carter. Hollywood's hottest A-list actor. Oscar winner.

My brain went completely blank. What was HE doing here?

But I snapped back to reality fast because Dylan was striding toward us, several men in black suits following behind. His face was written with fury, those deep blue eyes cold as ice.

"Don't even think about running," his voice was low and threatening. "Give me back my dog."

I stepped backward, Ruby pressing close to my legs. "Your dog? What are you talking about?"

Dylan stopped a few feet away, looking down at me.

"Cut the act." He sneered. "You stole my dog. Now give Oscar back to me. IMMEDIATELY."

"Her name is Ruby!" I instinctively moved Ruby behind me. "And I didn't steal anything! Are you INSANE?"

"Ruby?" Dylan's voice grew colder. "You even changed my dog's name?"

He stepped forward, his tall frame casting a shadow. "Listen here, little girl. Do you know who I am?"

I was shaking with anger. Yeah, I knew who he was, but that didn't mean I'd be intimidated.

"I don't care if you're some big MOVIE STAR! Ruby is my family!"

My voice trembled with rage. "I rescued her that stormy night! She was soaked, alone, helpless. If you really loved her, how could you let her wander in a storm?"

Dylan's eyes turned dangerous. "You little thief. One phone call from me and you won't be able to stay in LA."

"Thief?" I laughed angrily. "What gives you the right to call me a thief? I have Ruby's vet records. I spent money on her medical care! What's YOUR proof?"

"Proof?" Dylan pulled out a check from his jacket. "I don't need proof. How much? Ten grand enough?"

I stared at him waving that check, my anger hitting peak level.

"SERIOUSLY? You think you can buy everything with money?" I was practically screaming. "I won't sell Ruby to an arrogant ASSHOLE like you! You rich people are all the same—think money solves everything!"

Dylan was pissed off by my words. He stepped closer. "What did you just call me? Do you know how much effort I put into finding Oscar?"

"That's YOUR problem!" I shot back fearlessly. "If you really cared about her, you wouldn't have lost her! Ruby's happy now. She doesn't need an incompetent owner who lost her!"

"You've got some nerve—" Dylan was about to explode, but suddenly stopped.

He took a deep breath and looked at Ruby. "Fine. Let me prove it to you."

"Oscar," Dylan suddenly called gently. "Come here, baby."

Ruby immediately looked up, her expression completely changed. She looked at Dylan with excitement and affection, then started walking toward him.

"NO!" I pulled tight on the leash. "Ruby, stay!"

But Ruby looked back at me with pain in her eyes, hesitating between Dylan and me, letting out agonized whimpers.

"Oscar, sit," Dylan commanded.

Ruby sat immediately, posture perfect like she'd had professional training. Then Dylan said, "Shake."

Ruby extended her right paw without hesitation.

My heart sank. These were commands I'd never taught Ruby.

"Oh my God..." I said shakily. "This can't be..."

Dylan walked to Ruby and crouched down, gently stroking her head. Ruby immediately nuzzled his hand happily—that kind of intimacy couldn't be faked.

"Need more proof?" Dylan stood up, pulling out his phone and scrolling to his photo album. "Look at this."

I took the phone with trembling hands. The screen showed Oscar from puppy to now. Tiny Golden Retriever puppy, gradually growing up, all the way to her current size. Every photo clearly proved her identity.

"And this," Dylan lifted Oscar's left ear. "Heart-shaped birthmark. Oscar's unique identifier."

I leaned in closer and sure enough, there was a faint heart-shaped mark inside Oscar's ear. I'd cared for her all this time and never noticed.

"Oh God..." my voice cracked. "I really didn't know..."

Dylan watched me quietly, his anger slowly fading. "So... you really did rescue her?"

I nodded, tears starting to fall. "That night in the storm, she stood in front of my car and wouldn't move. I thought she was a stray... I took her home, got her medical care, spent every penny I had..."

Oscar saw me crying and immediately came over to nuzzle my leg, making worried whimpering sounds.

Dylan's expression grew complicated. "How much did you spend on her?"

"Over two hundred dollars," I wiped my tears. "Maybe nothing to you, but that was everything I had."

Dylan was silent for a moment, then sighed. "DAMN... I should've posted missing dog flyers sooner."

I crouched down and hugged Oscar tightly. She nuzzled me hard too, seeming to sense the coming separation.

"I'm sorry, Oscar," I choked out. "I didn't know you had family looking for you."

Oscar let out a painful whine, looking back and forth between Dylan and me, clearly unwilling to leave.

Dylan watched this scene, frowning deeply. "She... she really loves you."

I fought back tears and stood up, handing Dylan the leash. "Take her home. She belongs to you."

Dylan took the leash, but Oscar kept looking back at me, eyes full of reluctance.

"Come on, Oscar," Dylan said softly.

As Dylan carried Oscar toward the SUV, my heart completely shattered.

Just as the car door was about to close, Dylan suddenly turned around. He walked back and handed me that ten-thousand-dollar check.

"This is... a thank you," he said awkwardly. "For taking care of Oscar."

I was stunned. "I don't need—"

"Take it," Dylan's tone brooked no argument. "You spent money on her. It's only right."

With that, he turned and walked away without looking back.

The car door closed. I could see Oscar frantically looking at me through the window, paws constantly scratching at the glass.

Then the car started and quickly disappeared down Beach Boulevard.

I stood there, holding that check, feeling like I'd just sold my most beloved family member.