"If you did something wrong, you accept punishment. After the wedding, I'll give you the compensation you deserve."
Blood welled in my mouth. I stared at him.
"Don't regret this."
The moment the words left my lips, Serena's palm cracked across my face.
"You country bumpkin—what could possibly make our Ethan regret anything? Even if you became my dog, I'd still think it drags down my status."
She looped a leash around my neck.
"Come on. Bark twice for me. Maybe I'll reward you with a bone."
She yanked hard, forcing me to crawl forward.
The humiliation shattered my pride piece by piece. My consciousness began to slip. My body was moving on its own, about to crawl. I bit down hard on my tongue, fighting to stay awake.
Bright red blood kept dripping from the corner of my mouth. Ethan didn't react at all.
When I refused to move, Serena grabbed a leather whip and lashed it across my back.
"Letting you be my dog is already giving you face. I advise you not to refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit—or you'll have a hard time."
Burning pain surged through me. I endured it without making a sound.
Serena tossed a bone in front of me.
"Good girl. I'm rewarding you."