A Prison of the Heart, A Captive of Pity

When her father dies, Jenna expects to inherit the family estate, the only thing her mother left her. But her fiancé, Zach Song, a man who owns the city of Northwood, sides with Amber, her father's illegitimate daughter, who arrives from overseas in a wheelchair and sues for the house. Zach offers Jenna money and begs her to pity a disabled woman, ignoring that Amber's mother destroyed Jenna's family.

Jenna refuses to sign the transfer. In response, Zach has Buddy, the dog they raised together for five years, chained and held down by guards while a vet prepares a lethal injection. He gives Jenna three minutes: the estate or the dog. She signs, but Amber's runaway wheelchair crushes Buddy, and he dies. Zach carries Amber away without a glance.

After cremating Buddy, Jenna leaves the engagement ring on the coffee table and refuses to withdraw the lawsuit, deciding Zach's deliberate cruelty can never be forgiven.