I Neutered My Dog Groom

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Tomorrow was supposed to be the day I married Hudson.

But instead of final fittings or rehearsing vows, my world started glitching. Strange, translucent lines of textscrolling bullet commentsbegan drifting across my vision like a live social media feed only I could see.

The comments called me the Venomous Second Lead. They said Hudson was so desperate to escape our marriage that hed literally turned into a dog.

Even worse, they mentioned that in exactly one week, Id be dead, having fallen from the roof of a skyscraper.

I was still reeling, staring at the empty air, when my parents burst into my room. Their faces were pale, their expressions twisted with a mix of confusion and disgust.

They told me Hudson was gone. Missing. In his place, they found a dog in his bedroom. They were holding it now.

I looked down at the Samoyed in my fathers arms. The dog looked back at me, its eyes narrowed in a look of pure, unadulterated loathing. In that instant, it clicked. The comments were right.

This wasnt just a pet. This was Hudson.

Without a word, I lunged forward, snatched the dog from my fathers startled grip, and bolted for the door.

"Paige! Where are you going?" my mother shrieked behind me.

I didn't look back. I just threw my voice over my shoulder as I reached the driveway. "To the vet. This dog needs to be fixed. Immediately."

The creature in my arms visibly recoiled, a pathetic whimper escaping its throat.

My vision flared with a fresh wave of comments. The digital crowd was losing its mind, screaming about whether I was actually going to "neuter the male lead."

...

The moment I peeled out of the driveway with the dog, my vision became a chaotic mess of scrolling text.

[??? Is she actually going to snip him???]

[The villainess has finally lost it. How does she even have the nerve?]

[RIP Hudsons manhood. This is going south fast!]

[Chill, shes just bluffing. Shes obsessed with him. Shed never actually go through with it.]

[Exactly. Shes ride or die for Hudson. Shell probably end up pampering the dog because it belongs to his family.]

I glanced at the comments and let out a sharp, cold laugh. I slammed my foot onto the gas, the engine roaring in response.

In the passenger seat, the SamoyedHudsonwas a mess. His paws were dug deep into the leather upholstery, his white fur standing on end as we drifted around a sharp corner.

He was terrified. Good.

[Poor Hudson! Look at him shaking!]

[My heart is breaking for him! Hes a mess!]

[But honestly, look at how cute he is when hes scared? Paiges heart has to be melting right now.]

[Are you guys blind? This isn't 'cute' time! Hes about to lose his ability to produce heirs!]

[Don't worry, hes the protagonist. Hes got plot armor. Something will stop her!]

I kept one hand on the wheel and reached over with the other to pat his head.

Hudson snapped. He whipped his head around, baring his teeth at my hand in a snarl of pure aggression. He was ready to tear my skin off.

I gave him a wicked, sideways grin. "Go ahead. Bite me. Give me a reason to just skip the surgery and go straight to euthanasia."

His teeth chattered for a second, then he slowly pulled his lips back over them. He slumped into the seat, defeated.

The feed went wild again:

[Damn, shes cold. Euthanasia?!]

[To be fair, Hudsons a coward. He couldn't even man up and call off the wedding, so he turned into a dog and left her to die in the original plot. Total trash move.]

[Hey! Its the plot! Hes a victim of fate!]

[Victim? A real man says 'I don't love you.' He doesn't pull a disappearing act and leave his fiance to jump off a building!]

[Technically hes not a man right now. Hes a male dog. LOL.]

By the time the comments peaked, I was pulling into the parking lot of 'Everheart Specialty Vet.'

The moment Hudson saw the sign with the little blue cross, he went ballistic. He scrambled up, front paws scratching frantically against the glass of the passenger window.

"Awoo! Awoo-woo!"

He was howling for help. But tonight, help wasn't coming.

He tried the door handle with his paws, desperate and clumsy. I leaned in close to his ear, my voice a silky, cruel whisper. "Don't fight it, babe. Think of it as a gift. Im just being a responsible new owner."

His mouth fell open, his eyes wide with a very human sense of despair.

The screen in my head was a blur:

[Oh my god, poor baby!]

[But wait... he IS a dog right now. Neutering a dog is like... basic pet care...]

[Shut up! Thats the Male Lead! Hes going to turn back eventually!]

[Exactly! If she snips the dog, what happens to the man? How is he supposed to have his 'steamy nights' with the True Heroine later?!]

[Wait for it... the original story says the True Heroine is his guardian angel. She always shows up when hes in trouble!]

[A 'Beauty Saves the Beast' moment! Im here for it! Hell fall so much harder for her after this.]

[And the villainess will be one step closer to her rooftop exit! Hahaha!]

I stared at that last comment, a cold lump forming in my chest.

Fine. If Im destined to fall off a building, Im making sure your "Golden Boy" falls with mestarting with his dignity. Let's see how he enjoys his "happily ever after" without his favorite equipment.

I hopped out of the car, hauled Hudson out by his collar, and marched into the clinic.

The second we hit the lobby, I tried to set him down, but he turned into a thrashing blur of white fur and claws.

"Awoooo!!!"

[The agony in that voice... Im literally crying.]

[Where is the Heroine?! If she doesn't show up in thirty seconds, it's over!]

I had to pin him against my chest, shouting for a technician. Hudson didn't hesitate; he lunged for my wrist, his teeth sinking into my skin.

I didn't flinch. I grabbed his head, forcing him to look me in the eye. My voice was a low, dangerous growl.

"Bite me one more time, and Ill tell the surgeon to take an extra two inches off."

He froze. His jaws went slack.

[The 'extra two inches' comment, Im dying! I feel bad but thats hilarious.]

[IT IS NOT FUNNY!]

The girl at the front desk, a teenager with a messy ponytail, didn't even look up from her computer. "Sorry, were closing. Come back tomorrow at eight."

"I need an emergency neuter. Now."

She sighed, finally looking up. "Look, it's 10 PM. The doctor is literally walking out the"

"I'll pay extra."

"How much extra?"

I pulled out my phone and scanned the QR code on her desk.

Ping.

Transaction successful: 0-05,000.

The girls jaw dropped so far I thought it might hit the linoleum.

I gave her a sharp, predatory smile. "Fifteen thousand dollars for a standard neuter. But I want it done now. Swiftly. I want him completely... decommissioned."

The girl practically vaulted over the counter. "Ma'am, for fifteen grand, Ill sharpen the scalpel myself. One second!"

Hudson looked like he was about to faint.

The receptionist snatched him from my arms and sprinted toward the back, screaming at the top of her lungs, "Dr. Miller! Stop! Don't leave! Weve got a fifteen-thousand-dollar balls-ectomy! Were rich!"

The comments were stunned:

[Shes for real...]

[She dropped fifteen grand just to spite him. Honestly? Iconic.]

[The Villainess is giving 'Unhinged Queen' energy and Im kind of obsessed.]

[Are you people crazy? Hudson is about to be castrated! My poor baby!]

[Heroine! Where are you?! Your future happiness is on the line!]

Dr. Miller, who had been halfway out the back door, didn't hesitate for a single second. For fifteen thousand dollars, ethics and office hours were merely suggestions.

Within minutes, he was back in his scrubs, snapping on latex gloves. "Jenny, prep the anesthesia and the tray."

As Hudson was hoisted onto the cold stainless steel of the operating table, his eyes were fixed on me. They were full of disbelief.

He probably never thought IPaigewould do this. In his mind, my devotion was supposed to be hardcoded into my DNA.

Thats why hed let his family bring him to me after he transformed. He hated our arranged marriage, hated that I was "forced" upon him, but he knew I loved him more than life itself. He figured hed hide out as a pet, let me wait on him hand and foot, and watch me crumble in grief over his "disappearance."

He wanted a front-row seat to my misery.

Instead, he got a front-row seat to his own surgery.

The receptionist, Jenny, was moving with lightning speed, laying out the tools. Forceps, scalpels, sutures, antiseptic.

The sight of the blade triggered a primal fear in Hudson. He tried to bolt, his paws slipping on the steel table. He let out a piercing, soul-shattering howl.

Jenny pinned him down with practiced ease.

Then, Dr. Miller stepped forward with the sedative.

Hudsons eyes stayed locked on mine, wide with betrayal, until the drug took hold and his head finally slumped over.

Just as the doctor raised the scalpel...

"STOP!"

The front door slammed open with a violent crash.

[SHES HERE! THE QUEEN IS HERE!]

[Hudson is saved! I knew she wouldn't let him down!]

I turned around, my eyes narrowing.

It was my sister. Daisy. The "True Daughter" who had been brought back to our family only six months ago.

The comments went into a frenzy:

[The Heroine has arrived! I knew the universe wouldn't let him be snipped!]

[Daisy is the one Hudson is destined for. Paige is just a stepping stone.]

Daisy was panting, sweat beading on her forehead. She must have sprinted from the house. Her eyes bypassed me entirely, landing on the limp white dog on the table. Her eyes welled with tears instantly.

"Paige, stop! You can't do this!"

[Daisys heart is breaking. Thats her future husbands legacy on that table!]

[Move, Paige! Get out of the way!]

When I didn't move, Daisy rushed over and grabbed my arm, her grip surprisingly strong.

"Paige, this is Hudsons dog! Hudson is missing! If he comes back and finds out you mutilated his favorite pet, how are you going to explain yourself? Hell never forgive you!"

I looked at Daisys tear-streaked face and felt a wave of cold amusement.

My "True Daughter" sister. Since shed arrived, shed taken everything. My room, my jewelry, my place in the company. I just hadn't realized she was planning on taking my fianc, tooeven in dog form.

I shook her hand off. "Doctor, proceed."

Dr. Miller looked between us, sweating. "Look, if this is a family dispute..."

"Do it," I snapped. "Ill double the fee."

"No!" Daisy shrieked, throwing herself over the dogs body like a shield. "This is animal cruelty! Ill call the police!"

I let out a dry, jagged laugh. "Daisy, this is my fiancs dog. Making a medical decision for a pet isn't a crime. Its called being a responsible owner."

Daisy glared at me, her voice trembling. "Youre only doing this because he left you at the altar. Youre taking your petty anger out on a helpless animal!"

[Daisys right! Paige is just a bitter, rejected woman!]

[With Daisy there, the villainess won't touch a hair on his head!]

I stepped closer to Daisy, looming over her. "Hudson humiliated our family. He made me a laughingstock. And youre telling me I can't even touch his dog?"

I leaned in, my voice a whisper. "Or is it that you know exactly who this dog is?"

Daisys pupils shrunk. She flinched.

[Did she catch on?]

[No way. In the original book, she never finds out until the very end!]

I straightened up, watching the guilt flash across her face. The comments were rightmy sweet little sister knew everything.

"Doctor," I said, my voice flat. "Continue."

"No! Please!" Daisy started sobbing, grabbing my hand. "Paige, Im begging you. Don't do it. Please?"

"Hes Hudsons... hes so special to him!" She bit her lip, clearly dying to tell me the truth but bound by the 'rules' of the story.

[Ugh, my heart. Daisy is literally begging for his life.]

[Paige is a monster. Look at her crying!]

I looked at Daisys miserable face and gave a slow, wicked nod. "Fine."

Daisys eyes lit up. "Really?"

I smiled. "We don't have to neuter him. Let's just change the procedure."

"What procedure?" Daisy asked, her voice cautious.

I turned to Dr. Miller. "Doctor, do you perform vocal cord clips? Im tired of hearing this dog howl. I want him silent."

The feed exploded:

[PAIGE, YOU ARE THE DEVIL!]

[A mute dog?! Thats even worse than being a eunuch!]

[Daisy, do something! Your man is about to get his throat slit!]

Daisy turned white.

I watched her face, feeling a sick sense of satisfaction. Hudson, Daisy... you thought you could hide behind a curse to avoid me? Think again. Ill break you both.

Dr. Miller swallowed hard, his hand shaking as he held the scalpel. Hed clearly never dealt with a client this unhinged.

Daisy dropped to her knees, clutching the hem of my coat. "Paige, Im begging you. Just let him go. Please."

[Kneeling for her man... Im sobbing!]

[Paige, thats enough! Shes on the floor!]

I looked down at her, and suddenly, a new idea struck me. A truly evil, wonderful idea.

I pulled out my phone. Without breaking eye contact with Daisy, I tapped a few buttons.

Ping.

Daisys phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, looking confused.

Transaction received: $200,000.

[Wait, what?]

[Is she trying to buy her off? Daisy can't be bought!]

I squatted down so I was eye-level with her. "Is that enough for you to step aside?"

Daisy looked at the screen, then back at me, her expression one of insulted pride. "Do you think Im that shallow? You think money matters more to me than HudsonI mean, the dog?"

[Yes! Tell her, Daisy! Your love is priceless!]

[Look at that resolve! Shes a saint!]

I smiled and tapped my screen again.

Ping.

Transaction received: $200,000.

"Priceless?" I whispered. "Nothing is priceless. It just has a market value."

[Daisy, don't look at the phone!]

[Its a trap! Don't let her corrupt you!]

Daisy bit her lip. Her voice lost its edge. "Paige... money can't buy loyalty..."

I watched her closely. A thought occurred to me. Hudson was a rich kid, sure, but he was also a stingy bastard. He probably hadn't given Daisy a dime since shed arrived.

Daisy grew up in the middle of nowhere. Shed spent her life counting pennies. Being the "True Daughter" meant she had the name, but our parents were still keeping her on a tight allowance to "teach her the value of work."

I leaned in closer. "Tell me, Daisy. Since you and Hudson started your little... secret friendship... has he ever bought you anything? A car? A house? Has he even sent you a Venmo for coffee?"

Daisys face turned a deep, shameful red.

"No."

"Not a single dollar?"

She shook her head. She wanted to lie, but the truth was written all over her face.

The comments shifted:

[Wait... he hasn't given her anything? Not even a gift?]

[Okay, thats actually kind of a red flag.]

I let out a harsh laugh. "Hes engaged to me, screwing around with you, and he hasn't even paid for your Uber? What a joke."

I stood up and did a final tap on my phone.

Ping.

Transaction received: 0-0,000,000.

Daisy gasped. It was a sharp, audible sound that filled the quiet clinic.

I patted her shoulder, my voice dripping with honey. "Sweetie, youve been eating crumbs. Hudson is a dead end. Once this is over, Ill take you out. I know a place downtown with the best drinks and even better-looking men. Real men. Not dogs."

[Daisy, no! Shes poisoning your soul!]

[Shes wavering! I can see it in her eyes!]

[Their love can survive this! It has to!]

Daisy looked at the million-dollar balance on her phone. Then she looked at the unconscious Samoyed on the table. Her eyes flicked back and forth, a war raging in her head.

Then, she took a deep breath. Her voice was suddenly very, very steady.

"Dr. Miller? Please continue."

The comments went silent for a full three seconds.

[Daisy, WHAT?!]

[She sold him out for a million bucks?!]

[Where is the 'eternal love'?! Where is the loyalty?!]

I stood there, stunned. Daisy didn't even look at me. She was too busy scrolling through her bank app, a tiny, blissful smile playing on her lips. She looked like shed just won the lottery.

"Doctor," she urged, her voice impatient. "Let's get on with it. Make it quick. Snip-snip."

Before I could even process her sudden heel-turn, Hudsons eyes fluttered open. The anesthesia hadn't fully knocked him out yet. He gropped for Daisy with a faint "awoo," looking for comfort.

But when he heard her wordsthe "snip-snip"his pupils dilated with pure horror.

Thud.

His head hit the table. Hed passed out from pure shock.

"You heard the lady, Doctor," I said, feeling better than I had in years. "Proceed."

Daisy didn't even look up. She was too busy checking her reflection in her phone screen, already picking out which designer bag she was going to buy first.

Hudson was going to wake up a very different man.