At dawn, when Alexander entered the kennel, he found Emily huddled next to the rottweiler's corpse. Her eyes were empty, her face frozen in an expression of unspeakable pain.
Without a word, Alexander knelt beside her. He placed a surprisingly gentle hand on the dead dog's neck, as a final tribute to the beast.
"I'm responsible," he said suddenly, his voice choked. "I'm the one who left the drug within your reach. I thought I was testing you but... I didn't anticipate this outcome."
Emily looked up at her tormentor with disbelief. For the first time, she could see a crack in his cold armor, a trace of genuine remorse.
With a deliberate gesture, Alexander extended his hand and slid it between Emily's teeth. The young woman froze, stunned by this unexpected action.