The Beagle Villain​

I became the villain's stepmother.

I didn't really care. I just took the villain with me whenever I went out.

Until one day, a series of live comments appeared before my eyes.

【Wait, how is this Tasmanian devil of a villain so docile?】

【I remember the last nanny they hired ran away screaming!】

【LMAO, who the hell goes on a five-kilometer power walk for a "casual stroll"? With no other draining activities, either. The villain looks like he's about to pass out from exhaustion, hahaha!】

I glanced at the little villain, who had made a beeline for his bed the moment we got home. I pursed my lips, but before I could speak, his eyes met mine. He immediately burrowed under the covers, hiding himself completely.

1

My marriage to Corbett was a contract. A simple exchange of benefits between our two families, with no feelings involved.

After all, love doesn't just fall from the sky. The only people breaking down your door are the blind dates your family sets you up with.

After the wedding ceremony, Corbett made an excuse about work and left the villa. I gave him a perfunctory nod. The housekeeper, Mrs. Davison, shot me a sympathetic look. I figured she felt sorry for me, being trapped in a loveless marriage, and didn't think much of it.

As I was relaxing on the sofa, a small, thin figure in the corner of my eye caught my attention. A boy, maybe eight or nine years old, was leaning against the doorframe, studying me with a pair of dark, intense eyes.

I knew instantly who he was. This was Leo, the son from Corbett’s first wife. The tabloids said Corbett barely paid him any mind, too busy with his work.

I figured the kid was shy, so I didn't call him over. I just offered him a small smile before closing my eyes again. We'd have plenty of time to get to know each other later.

The thought had barely crossed my mind when there was a loud CRASH!

My eyes flew open. An antique vase that had been sitting in the corner was now a pile of glittering shards on the floor. The pieces were scattered around Leo's feet.

The housekeeper glanced at me nervously, her words catching in her throat. "Ma'am, Leo, he..."

My brow furrowed slightly. Everyone, including the little boy standing amidst the wreckage, seemed to be waiting for me to explode. He slowly lifted his gaze to meet mine, a flicker of defiance in his dark eyes.

But I did something no one expected.

I stood up, walked over to him, and gave the pedestal the vase had been sitting on a firm shove. "This is just asking to be knocked over," I told the housekeeper. "Get rid of this, too."

The heavy pedestal hit the floor with a dull thud.

The boy, who had been braced for a scolding, froze. He stared up at me, his expression faltering. I thought he might be scared, so I instinctively wrapped an arm around his small frame, patting his back with an awkwardness I couldn't hide. "It's okay, don't be scared. Where's your room? I'll take you back so you can get some sleep."

Leo’s entire body went rigid in my arms.

Seeing he wasn'...