Chapter 205: I simply want my wife back

By the time Dominic finished his shower and changed into comfortable clothes, Clara still hadn’t returned home.

He glanced at the wall clock and frowned.

"Hmm. She should’ve been home by now," he muttered.

Usually, Clara was the first to return, but today, Dominic had arrived before her. Yet there was still no sign of his wife.

Just as he decided to wait a little longer, a knock on the door caught his attention.

"Come in."

Butler James entered, carrying the little puppy in his arms.

"He’s finished his dinner, sir. Unfortunately, I don’t think he’s ready to sleep yet," James said with a helpless smile.

Although James and the rest of the staff adored the little fellow, they were beginning to understand why Dominic had insisted on giving him some basic training.

The puppy was adorable, but he was also a handful.

Dominic glanced at the energetic creature before taking him from James.

"It’s alright. I’ll look after him."

"Very well, sir."

Once James left, Dominic closed the door and placed the puppy on the floor, allowing him to wander around the bedroom.

However, his attention soon returned to the clock. "What’s taking her so long?" he mumbled.

He had initially planned to wait patiently, but as the minutes passed, his concern began to grow.

Clara had an extraordinary talent for getting herself into unexpected situations. And considering everything that had happened recently, Dominic couldn’t help worrying whenever she was late.

Just as he reached for his phone to call her, the screen suddenly lit up.

It was Clara. A wave of relief washed over him, and he immediately answered.

"Clara, where are you?"

"Dom! Do you want to have some delicious hotpot? I found an amazing place!" Her cheerful voice came through the phone.

Dominic blinked, momentarily caught off guard.

He had been imagining all sorts of troublesome scenarios, while his wife was apparently busy discovering restaurants.

"Hotpot?" he repeated.

"Yes! The reviews are fantastic. I was thinking we could have dinner here tonight. What do you say?"

Before Dominic could answer, his stomach let out a quiet growl.

He glanced down at himself. Well, I suppose I am hungry.

"Okay," he agreed.

"Great! I’ll send you the location. Come quickly, hubby!"

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Alright. I’ll be there soon."

After ending the call, Dominic looked down at the puppy, who was enthusiastically chewing on the corner of his slipper.

"Looks like your training will have to wait."

The puppy wagged his tail.

"And for once, I’ll have my wife all to myself." A proud smile made its way on his face as he stepped out of his room the next moment.

****

[Twenty Minutes Later]

"Oh, my adorable little baby! Do you like it?" Clara cooed, affectionately stroking the puppy’s head as he happily devoured his dinner beside his favorite person.

Across the table, Dominic watched the scene with an increasingly sour expression.

He had come here expecting a romantic dinner with his wife.

Instead, he was watching her enjoy a dinner date with another male.

A male who happened to have four legs and a fluffy tail.

[Unbelievable. I brought him home, fed him, and even carried him around my office all day. And this is how he repays me?]

Dominic silently regretted his decision to bring the little rascal along.

Initially, he had intended to leave the puppy at home with Butler James so he could enjoy some uninterrupted time with Clara.

Unfortunately, the moment Dominic had stepped out of his bedroom, the puppy had come running after him.

He had followed Dominic all the way to the staircase and even attempted to climb down the first step.

Naturally, his tiny legs had betrayed him.

Dominic had barely managed to catch him before he tumbled down.

And that was how the little troublemaker had successfully earned himself a free dinner.

"Dom, look! He’s enjoying himself so much!" Clara exclaimed, completely oblivious to her husband’s suffering.

Dominic glanced at the puppy, who was enthusiastically wagging his tail.

"I can see that."

[He’s enjoying himself a little too much.]

Clara chuckled and scratched the puppy behind his ears.

"Who’s my good boy? You are! Yes, you are!"

Dominic silently picked up his chopsticks.

[Good boy? He nearly gave me a heart attack on the stairs.]

"Hubby, isn’t he adorable?"

Dominic looked at the puppy, who had somehow managed to smear food all over his little face.

"Very."

His expression suggested otherwise.

Clara finally noticed his gloomy mood.

"What’s wrong? You haven’t touched your food."

"Nothing."

[I’m just wondering whether I should’ve brought Butler James instead.]

Clara tilted her head suspiciously before a mischievous smile appeared on her lips.

"Wait. Are you jealous of our puppy again?"

Dominic immediately straightened.

"Of course not."

[Absolutely. I’ve been replaced by a creature that can’t even climb stairs.]

Clara burst into laughter.

"Oh, hubby! Come here. I’ll feed you too."

Dominic’s eyes immediately brightened.

"Really?"

But before Clara could reach for her chopsticks, the puppy let out an excited bark.

Dominic’s smile vanished.

[You little traitor. Can’t you let me have five minutes?

Clara burst into peals of laughter, leaving Dominic utterly confused. She was thoroughly enjoying his jealous thoughts, but his latest complaint had been particularly hilarious.

"Look at your face, Dom! You’re seriously regretting your decision to bring Toto along, aren’t you?"

Dominic paused, looking at her in surprise.

"Toto?"

Clara nodded as she scooped the little puppy into her arms and gently wiped the food off his face.

"Yes, Toto! Our adorable little troublemaker who keeps making my husband jealous."

Dominic immediately frowned.

"I’m not jealous of him."

[Why would I be jealous of a puppy? I simply want my wife back.]i

Clara pressed her lips together, struggling not to laugh again.

"Of course, hubby. You’re absolutely not jealous."

Dominic narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously.

"Why does that sound like you’re mocking me?"

"Me? Never!" Clara replied innocently before planting a kiss on Toto’s fluffy head.

Dominic’s gaze followed her every movement.

[Another kiss? I’ve been sitting here for twenty minutes, and I haven’t received a single one!]

Clara nearly choked on her laughter.

"Dom, would you like a kiss too?"

Dominic immediately straightened. "If you insist," he said with a straight face.

Clara grinned. "Come here, then."

[Finally!]

Just then, Toto barked and stretched his tiny paws toward her face.

Dominic sighed.

"Seriously, Toto?"