He Treated Me Like A Dog

Chapter 2

The call was answered immediately.

A familiar voice, older and hesitant, came through the phone. It was my father, Douglas Fenwick. "Claudia?"

At the sound of my name, I broke into tears. "Dad, I was wrong..."

Everyone thought I was just a penniless coffee shop girl. No one knew I was the daughter of the richest man in the country, the man behind Fenwick Group.

Three years earlier, I'd stormed out after a huge fight with my dad. I'd hidden my identity, rented an ordinary apartment, and taken a job at the coffee shop. That was where I'd met Malcolm.

"Claudia." My dad's voice broke. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have insisted that you take over the group. Whatever you wanted to do, I should have respected your choice."

I cried even harder. "Dad, I want to come home."

His voice turned urgent. "Where are you? Has someone been hurting you?"

I gave him the address. "All right," he said. "Wait for me. I'll be there tomorrow."

I nodded and ended the call.

I got up and walked over to the sink.

The woman in the mirror was a mess. Frosting still clung to her face and hair, and her eyes were red.

I was about to wash it off when the bathroom door swung open.

Nadine walked in with her phone raised. "Claudia, look at the camera. Malcolm wants a photo to post."

I instinctively turned around. Before I could react, she took the picture.

Nadine glanced down at her screen, then looked up in surprise. "Oh, why are you crying?" A second later, she shouted through the doorway, "Malcolm, come here! Your puppy's crying because her feelings got hurt!"

I desperately wiped away my tears. Soon, Malcolm appeared in the doorway.

Concern flickered in his eyes when he saw how red mine were. "Why are you crying so hard?" He picked up a towel and reached out to wipe my face. "Come on. I was wrong today. Stop crying."

Beside him, Nadine stifled a laugh. "She really is a puppy. All she can do when someone picks on her is hide in a corner and cry."

"Nadine!" Malcolm snapped in a low voice, frowning slightly.

She didn't seem to care. "Fine, fine. I'll stop. If I say any more, she'll start crying again."

I turned my face away and slapped his hand aside. "Don't touch me."

Then I turned and headed for the front door.

Malcolm called after me, barely hiding his impatience, "Claudia, stop right there."

I kept walking. Just as I stepped through the doorway, he seized my wrist.

He lowered his voice. "Stop making a scene. Everyone's watching. Don't embarrass me."

I gave a scornful smile and pulled free. "So you know everyone's watching? Then why didn't you care about humiliating me?"

He opened his mouth. Irritation flashed across his face, but he forced himself to stay calm. "Fine. I was wrong. Where are you going?" He paused. "Do you even have any money without me?"

Looking at him, I almost laughed.

So in his mind, I'd have nothing if I left him.

"That's none of your business."

I turned and left, slamming the door behind me.

I could faintly hear the conversation inside. "Malcolm, you're not doing a very good job training her. Why won't she obey her owner?"

Malcolm sighed, sounding irritated. "Leave her alone. She's spoiled rotten. I've frozen her card. Once she runs out of money in a few days, she'll come running back."

Someone burst out laughing. "Exactly. A dog always knows its master. Let's go out for drinks later. My treat."

Outside the door, I stood listening, my nails digging deep into my palms.

There was no reason to stay in this relationship.