Chapter 1

1

I was sent back to my biological parents with nothing but a backpack and my service dog, Buddy.

Just because the fake daughter said she wanted dog meat dumplings for the Lantern Festival, they killed Buddy and threw him in the pot.

I flipped the table, turning the mansion into a disaster zone.

Mom looked at me, full of disappointment. "Don't you know your sister has depression? It's rare for her to be happy, and you're making a fuss over a dog?"

Dad gave me a cold stare. "You're a psycho. I regret bringing you back."

The fake daughter, Chloe, with red-rimmed eyes, pushed the fragrant meat soup towards me. "Don't blame Ashley, Mom and Dad. Since she liked the dog so much, I'll give it back to her."

I laughed.

They didn't know Chloe's depression was fake, but my crazy was real.

...

Buddy was gone.

My Labrador, who usually bounded over to greet me, didn't come when I called.

I clenched my fists. Buddy was my certified service dog.

He was the only thing the psych ward found that could keep my behavior in check.

Without Buddy, I'd be back to the way I was in the hospital…

I thought about the doctors, nurses, and patients, their horrified screams when I had episodes. I covered my ears with my hands, my whole body trembling uncontrollably.

No… I couldn't lose Buddy… I didn't want to be seen as a monster again. I wanted to be normal!

I tirelessly searched the mansion, a place I'd lived in for six months but still felt alien to me.

Bedroom, nothing.

Utility room, nothing.

Backyard, nothing…

Slamming the last door shut, I struggled to control my strength.

I pinched myself, forcing myself to regain composure, and shakily opened the surveillance app on my phone.

After leaving the hospital, I had installed a tracker on Buddy's collar, just in case.

But the live feed was black, and the history required the memory card to access.

A terrible premonition grew in my heart. I started biting my nails uncontrollably.

Just as I was about to go out and put up lost dog posters, Chloe walked in.