My Nine-Tailed Husband

Ten days later, they finally let me out, and I noticed right away that Dusty was gone.

I searched the entire courtyard, calling out for him, but there was no sign of him anywhere.

He never wandered off on his own.

A sinking feeling settled in my chest. Something was wrong.

Then, behind a rock formation, I spotted a small gray figure.

"Dusty!"

He was lying on the ground, covered in wounds and barely breathing. His body felt cold to the touch. I tried pouring my spiritual energy into him, desperate to save him, but it was like trying to fill a bottomless pit.

No matter how hard I tried, it didn't work.

Dusty died in my arms. His little body stiffened slowly as the warmth faded away.

I buried him under the magnolia tree in the yard, the spot where he used to love playing the most.

I closed my eyes, and memories came flooding back—Dusty curled up in my lap, warming my feet… The way he would turn his head in a huff when he got mad…

The pain in my chest felt like something had been torn apart. Eyes burning, I gripped my sword tightly.

I swore Maisie would pay for this.

I kicked open the door and found Maisie laughing with a maid, completely unaware of the storm about to hit her.

"I heard your little gray fox died," she said with a smirk. "He was so weak. I barely played with him, and—"

Smack!

I slapped her across the face before she could finish that vile sentence.

"What…" Maisie clutched her cheek, staring at me in disbelief.

"You think you even deserve to say his name?" I shot her a cold glare, a murderous aura emanating off of me.

I raised my sword and pointed it straight at her throat.

"Stop!"

A voice rang out behind me before Blair came lunging at me.

In a blur of swordlight and thunderous roars, we clashed. I twisted to dodge his attack and punched him hard in the gut.

With a loud thud, Blair was sent flying and slammed into a tree.

Even though pain burned through my body, I forced myself to move forward, step by step.

Blair tried to get up but collapsed again, looking up at me with wide, pitiful eyes, his face full of confusion and hurt.

For a second, it felt like I was in another lifetime. Memories of our past flickered through my mind.

But I shook them off.

I raised my sword, ready to strike the final blow.

"What are you doing?!"

That familiar voice made me pause.

I turned and saw Justin rushing over with a group of guards behind him.

"Justin!" Maisie cried, throwing herself into his arms like she'd just been saved from death itself.

The second Justin saw her face, his expression darkened.

He looked at Blair and asked, "What happened?"

Blair glanced at me weakly, then lowered his head without saying a word.

Justin's eyes flared with anger as he turned back to me, his voice ice-cold.

"You hurt Maisie?"

I let out a bitter laugh and pointed at Maisie. "She killed Dusty. I'm just returning the favor."

Justin stared at me for a long moment, and then he turned and carried Maisie away without another word.

Back in my room, I treated my wounds and sat cross-legged on the bed to cultivate.

I had to grow stronger—strong enough to protect myself and take revenge.

It was late, and the night was silent. Suddenly, I heard a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" I asked cautiously.

"It's me." Blair's voice came from outside.

I opened the door and looked at him coldly. "What do you want?"

He didn't answer. He just stood there, looking at me, his eyes full of emotions I couldn't read.