They clung to each other. Ethan tamped down that quiver of doubt and glared at me with disgust.
“The dead get cremated anyway. Chloe’s helping you save energy for the cremation chamber.”
“Perfect timing—before your dad turns fully to ash, we’ll finish the ‘recognize-your-dog-dad’ process. He can rest easy then!”
At his gloating, I suddenly laughed.
“If you’re so eager to call a dog your father, get on your knees now.”
“And may your ancestors not rise up in that first week after his passing to settle accounts with you.”
My words rattled Ethan. Chloe stepped in front of me to block my path.
“Stepmom, Buddy came out injured today just to recognize his new daughter. How can you walk away now?”
“Ethan, say something…”
Ethan snapped back to himself and kicked the back of my knee when I wasn’t looking.
“Chloe kindly found you a dad. Don’t be ungrateful.”
“Today you’ll recognize him—whether you like it or not.”
He forced my head down—crack, crack—onto the floor. Blood seeped from my forehead and he didn’t even flinch.
Chloe stood there cradling the dog, smug.
“Buddy, sweetheart, from now on you’re a proud dog-dad with a daughter!”
I struggled to my feet, fury burning through me.
“Ethan, I want a divorce.”