Chapter 20

That evening, I returned to the Griffin villa. I assumed Steve wouldn't be back for a few more days, at least until Isabel's dog recovered. But when I arrived home, they were already back. The three of them looked like a perfectly happy family of three. They were walking the dog together in the courtyard leisurely. I couldn't tell whether Dorothy did it on purpose or not. When she saw me, she suddenly let go of the leash. The white Labrador barked loudly and charged straight toward me. I froze in terror. Ever since I was a child, I had been afraid of dogs. I screamed and stumbled backward in panic. Behind me was the swimming pool. With one misstep, I fell straight in. Water splashed everywhere. It was late autumn, so the pool water was icy. Although I could swim, I was soaked through by the time I managed to climb out of the pool. The thin fabric of my dress clung to my body. In my disheveled state, I stood before Steve and his lover in utter humiliation. From the beginning unt