**Personal Diary Entry**
I caught sight of the dog lying beside the bench and hurried over to him. My eyes fell on the lead, toocarelessly discarded by Natalie. As soon as I spotted the poor thing resting there, I rushed to his side, noticing the frayed leather strap shed left behind. Max looked up at me with swollen eyes, whimpering softly.
Its been nearly two years since my sister and I last spoke properly. Charlotte still doesnt understand how something so trivial couldve spiralled into such bitterness.
Charlotte and William Rutherford were born a year apart. Inseparable from childhood, they always stood up for one another. No matter what mischief they got into, they took the blame togethernever hiding behind the others back.
Their hometown, Wellingford, had grown and thrived over the years. They were lucky with their mayorPeter Mitchell, a local man and an astute businessman. After graduating in agricultural studies, he returned home and worked tirelessly. His efforts were soon recognised, and within a decade, Peter became Wellingfords council leader.
Life was kind to him in other ways, too. Charlotte, after finishing nursing school, took a job at the village clinic. Peter couldnt ignore a woman like her. She returned his affection, and they marrieda wedding the whole village celebrated. William was genuinely happy for his sister, though his own marriage to Natalie was far from idyllic.
While Charlotte was still single, Natalie had grumbled about her, calling her stuck-up or useless. But after the wedding, resentment replaced complaints. Natalie began demanding morea bigger house, a nicer car, expensive coats.
Everyone else has everything, and weve got nothing! shed snap. William did his best, but neither money nor effort could satisfy her.
Natalie was miserable in other ways, tooshed never been blessed with children. And there was Charlotte, happily married, raising a boy and a girl, building a spacious home while her husband climbed the ranks.
Family gatherings increasingly ended in rows. Every time William visited Charlottes, Natalie would berate him afterward.
The final blow came on Williams birthday. Charlotte brought him a Labrador puppysomething hed always wanted. Peter gave him a new motorbike.
Everything was fine until Natalie, drunk, erupted in rage.
Whats this then, Charlie? she sneered. A dog? Since we cant have kids, we settle for a pet, is that it?
Charlotte tried to calm her. Nat, just breathe. Youll regret this later.
But it was no use. The argument exploded, dividing the guests. Peter quietly urged his wife to leave, and they slipped away.
Two years passed. William began avoiding his sister, their contact reduced to brief, awkward meetings. Meanwhile, tension between him and Natalie grew.
Evenings found William walking Max by the river. They seemed contenthed toss a stick, Max would bound after it, then curl at his feet, listening to his quiet stories.
Charlotte heard about this from neighbours but didnt interveneWilliam was stubborn.
After that wretched fight, Natalies hatred for Charlotteand for Maxgrew. When William wasnt home, shed chase the dog outside, shouting, sometimes even hitting him.
Nosy neighbours only stirred the pot.
Nat, your Williams down by the river again with that dog.
Yesterday, he ran into Charlie and her lotlaughing away, they were!
Jealousy consumed Natalie. One morning, William snapped, Ive had enough of this petty envy!
Left alone, seething, Natalie dragged Max outside, tied him to the bench, and lashed him with the lead. The poor creature yelped in pain. When her fury burned out, she threw the strap aside, packed her things, and left for good.
That evening, William returned to an empty house, Max missing from the doorstep. Inside, chaos reigned. He found the dog by the bench, fists clenched. Quickly untying him, he carried him to the clinic.
Charlotte was just leaving when she saw her brother, cradling the bleeding dog.
Charlie, help, William rasped.
They took Max into treatment. Charlotte examined him carefully.
Who did this?
Natalie, William muttered.
Charlotte nodded silently. She stitched his wounds, washed his eyes, gave him water.
Later, in the hallway, William whispered, Im sorry, Charlie.
She gave a tired smile. And Natalie?
No, Charlie. Not after this.
She called Peter. Pete, come get me, please.
Hearing her exhaustion, he was already on his way.
Half an hour later, he stood in the corridor. Seeing the siblings side by side, Max whining softly beside them, he just smiled.
Come on, then, heroes.
They took William home, advising him on Maxs care.
When Charlotte told their mother what happened, she sighed. He shouldve left her long ago.
Then she went to her sons to help tidy the house.
William sat on the porch, stroking Max. His mother reached them, touching both gently.
Still alive?
Still alive, William answered.
The smell of roast and fresh vegetables drifted from inside. Max sniffed, tail wagging. William smiled and stood.
Life went on.
