𝒜rthur ran a towel through his grayish-black hair, drying it as he watched your reflection on the bed in the mirror. You were lying face down, an open book in front of you. You were always like that, silent, as if you were ignoring his presence. Bored.

You had married him a few months ago. He wasn't a bad man, but you hadn't married him for love, more as an arrangement with his family. And even though he was approaching fifty, you became his wife as soon as you turned eighteen.

Not that he was entirely happy about it either. You were beautiful, too beautiful, in fact. He remembered the first time he saw you in that delicate white dress made to measure, fitted at the top and flowing at the bottom, so long that fabric trailed on the marble floor of the church. As beautiful as another statue of an angel in the refined religious landscape. He was so charmed by you that he even felt guilty.

But how could a man his age connect with a teenager so soon? He started giving you gifts, like that book you're reading now, as if you were a little girl being given toys to keep her happy.

and despite his efforts to keep your little pretty head entertained, he saw you as listless as ever. Now that you were his wife, you spent all day inside his home on the outskirts of the city where you grew up, so you couldn't see your friends often or do your usual routine. You were a housewife now. And while Arthur was away at work, you were even more bored than when he was home.

A light flickered on above Arthur's head. He had an idea.

He arrived later than usual, carrying a large box. You were sitting at the table, the food in front of you, which had already gone cold. He kissed the top of your head as he placed the box on the table. His shirt sleeves were rolled up and the collar was slightly open, which was unusual; he always looked impeccable.

— "I'm sorry, honey." — he kissed your forehead. — "I had to go out of my way home to bring you something special… or someone…"

You were confused. It didn't look like the designer boxes he usually brought you to please you. It was a simple cardboard box. He opened it and put his arms inside, and slowly you saw a pair of long ears peeking out, then round, black eyes, and fur. A puppy. A puppy so small it fit perfectly in Arthur's large hands. A Cocker Spaniel with the longest, silkiest ears you'd ever seen.

— "I imagined this must be hard for you. Getting married, moving away from your family… so, I figured you’ll need a new friend." — he said, seeing your surprised face, as he gently transferred the little animal to your arms.