**Diary Entry**
I spotted the dog lying by the bench and rushed over. My gaze fell on the leash, carelessly left behind by Natalie.
It had been nearly two years since Id spoken properly to my sister. Emily still couldnt understand how a petty disagreement had spiralled into something so bitter.
Emily and William Robinson were born just a year apart. Inseparable since childhood, theyd always stood up for each other. No matter what mischief they got into, they took equal responsibilitynever hiding behind the other.
Their hometown, Willowbrook, had flourished over the years. They were fortunate with their local council leader, Peter Mitchell, whod been born there himself and proved a shrewd economic mind. After finishing agricultural college, he returned to the village and threw himself into improving it. His efforts were quickly recognised, and within a decade, Peter became Willowbrooks council chairman.
His personal life flourished too. Emily, after completing her nursing course, began working at the village clinic. Peter couldnt ignore a beauty like her. She returned his affection, and soon they married, with the whole village celebrating. William was genuinely happy for his sister, though his own marriage to Natalie was far from smooth.
When Emily was single, Natalie often grumbled about hercalling her useless or stuck-up. But after the wedding, grumbling turned to envy. Natalie began demanding more: a bigger house, a nicer car, a better coat.
“Its always other people who have everythingwhy cant we?” shed snap. William tried his best, but no amount of money or effort could satisfy her.
Part of Natalies discontent came from her own griefshed never been blessed with children. Meanwhile, Emily had married well, given birth to a son, then a daughter, built a spacious home, and watched her husband rise in standing.
Family gatherings increasingly ended in arguments. Every time William visited Emily and Peter, Natalie would berate him afterwards.
The final blow-up happened on Williams birthday. Emily gifted him a Labrador puppyhed always wanted one. Peter gave him a new motorbike.
Everything was fine until Natalie, drunk, erupted in fury.
“Whats this then, Em? A dog? Since we cant have kids, might as well get a mutt, eh?”
Emily tried to calm her.
“Nat, just breathe. Youll regret this later.”
But her words fell on deaf ears. A huge row broke out, guests taking sides. Peter quietly suggested they leave, and after polite goodbyes, they did.
Two years passed. That night, William began avoiding his sister. Their relationship shrank to brief, rare encounters. Meanwhile, tension between him and Natalie grew.
Evenings, William often walked Max by the river. They seemed happy togetherWilliam tossing sticks, Max chasing, then flopping at his feet, listening to his quiet stories.
Emily heard about this from neighbours but did nothingWilliam remained stubborn.
After the disastrous argument, Natalies hatred for Emilyand Maxdeepened. When William wasnt home, shed kick the dog out, shouting, sometimes even hitting him.
Nosy neighbours only fuelled it.
“Heard your husband was down by the river again with that dog.”
“Yesterday he ran into Emily, Peter, and the kidslaughing like old times!”
Jealousy consumed Natalie. One day, William asked:
“You havent been hurting Max, have you?”
“Why would I care about your stupid dog?” she snapped before storming off.
Max began hiding from her, trembling whenever she appeared.
Everything ended the morning William finally snapped.
“Im sick of this endless envy!”
Alone, seething, Natalie dragged Max outside, tied him to the bench, and lashed him with her belt. The poor dog whimpered in pain. Once her rage burned out, she dropped the belt, packed her things, and left for good.
That evening, William returned to find no dog at the gate. The house was a mess. He found Max by the bench, fists clenching. Quickly untying him, he rushed to the vet clinic.
Emily was about to leave when she saw her brother cradling the bleeding dog.
“Em, help” he croaked.
They carried Max into the treatment room. Emily examined him carefully.
“Who did this?”
“Natalie,” William muttered, eyes down.
Emily nodded silently. Stitching the wounds, rinsing his eyes, she gave him water.
Later, in the hallway, William whispered guiltily:
“Forgive me, Em.”
“Dont be silly,” she smiled tiredly. “And Natalie?”
“No, Em. Not after this.”
She called Peter.
“Pete, come get me, love.”
Hearing her exhaustion, he was already on his way.
Half an hour later, he stood in the hallway. Seeing the siblings leaning together, Max softly whining beside them, he just smiled.
“Come on then, you lot.”
They took William home, giving him instructions for Maxs care.
When Emily told their mother what happened, she only sighed.
“They shouldve split years ago.”
With that, she set off to help William tidy the house.
On the porch, William sat stroking Max. His mother approached, touching both gently.
“Still in one piece?”
“Still here,” William replied.
From inside, the scent of roast meat and fresh vegetables drifted out. Max sniffed, tail wagging. William smiled and stood.
Life went on.
