Spotting the dog lying beside the bench, he rushed over to it. His gaze also fell upon the leash, carelessly left behind by Natalie.
The moment he saw the dog resting by the bench, he hurried toward it. In his line of sight was the leash, which Natalie had tossed aside. Max gazed up at his owner with swollen, pleading eyes…
It had been nearly two years since hed spoken properly to his sister. Emily still couldnt understand how a trivial disagreement had spiralled into such bitterness.
Emily and William Rutherford were born a year apart. Since childhood, theyd been inseparable, always standing up for one another. No matter what mischief they got into, they shared the blame equallynever hiding behind the other.
Their hometown, Willowbrook, had flourished over the years. They were lucky with their local leaderThomas Whitmore, born and raised there, had proven himself a shrewd businessman.
After graduating from agricultural college, he returned to the village and threw himself into work. His efforts were quickly recognised, and within a decade, Thomas became Willowbrooks council leader.
His personal life flourished too. Emily, after finishing nursing school, began working at the village clinic as an assistant. Thomas couldnt ignore a beauty like her. Emily returned his affection. They married, and the whole village celebrated their wedding. William was genuinely happy for his sister, though his own marriage to Natalie was far from harmonious.
While Emily was still single, Natalie had muttered about her, calling her useless or stuck-up. But after the wedding, resentment turned to envy. Natalie began demanding more from her husbanda bigger house, a nicer car, a better coat…
She often threw it in his face: *”Others have everything, while we scrape by!”* William did his best, but neither money nor effort could satisfy Natalies growing discontent.
Part of her misery stemmed from childlessnessshed never been blessed with motherhood. Meanwhile, Emily had married well, borne a son and a daughter, built a spacious home, and her husband had risen in standing…
Family gatherings increasingly ended in arguments. Every time William visited Emilys, Natalie would berate him afterward.
The final blowout happened on Williams birthday. Emily gifted him a Labrador puppy from the cityhed always wanted one. Thomas gave him a new motorbike.
Everything was fine until Natalie, drunk, erupted in fury, unloading years of resentment onto Emily:
*”Whats this then, Em? The dogsome kind of dig? No kids, so we get a mutt instead, is that it?”*
Emily tried to calm her:
*”Nat, relax. Youll regret this later…”*
But her words fell on deaf ears. A huge row erupted, splitting the guests into factions. Thomas quietly told Emily they should leave, and after quick goodbyes, they did.
Two years passed. That evening, William began avoiding his sister, their contact reduced to brief, rare meetings. Meanwhile, tension between him and Natalie grew.
Evenings, William often walked Max by the river. They seemed happy togetherWilliam tossing sticks, Max chasing eagerly before flopping at his feet, listening to his quiet stories.
Emily heard about this from neighbours but did nothingWilliam remained stubborn.
After the disastrous fight, Natalies hatred for Emilyand Maxdeepened. When William was out, shed chase the dog outside, shouting at him, sometimes even hitting him.
Nosy neighbours only poured fuel on the fire:
*”Nat, your husbands down by the river with that dog again…”*
*”Yesterday, he bumped into Em, her husband, and the kidslaughing like they hadnt a care!”*
Jealousy consumed Natalie. Once, William asked:
*”Nat, youre not hurting Max, are you?”*
*”As if Id bother with your mutt!”* she snapped before storming off.
Max began hiding from Natalie, trembling whenever she appeared.
Everything ended one morning when William slammed the door behind him, snarling:
*”Ive had enough of this envy!”*
Alone, seething, Natalie dragged Max outside, tied him to the bench, and lashed him with the leash. The poor dog yelped in pain. Once her rage was spent, she dropped the leash, packed her things, and left for good.
That evening, William returned to find no dog at the gate. The house was a mess. Near the bench, he found Max. His fists clenched. Quickly untying him, he cradled the dog and ran to the clinic.
Emily was about to leave when she saw her brother holding the bleeding animal:
*”Em, help…”* William croaked.
They carried Max to the treatment room. Emily examined him carefully:
*”Who did this?”*
*”Natalie…”* William looked away.
Emily nodded silently. She stitched the wounds, flushed his eyes, gave him water.
Later, in the hallway, William murmured guiltily:
*”Im sorry, Em…”*
*”Dont be silly,”* she said tiredly. *”And Natalie…?”*
*”No, Em. Not after this.”*
Emily called Thomas:
*”Tom, come get me, love.”*
Hearing the exhaustion in his wifes voice, he set off at once.
Half an hour later, he stood in the hallway. Seeing the siblings leaning together, Max softly whining beside them, he asked no questions, just smiled:
*”Right then, heroes. Lets go.”*
They took William home, advising him on Maxs care.
When Emily told their mother what happened, she just sighed:
*”He shouldve left her years ago.”*
Then she headed to her sons to help tidy the house.
On the porch, William sat stroking Max. His mother approached, touching both gently:
*”You alive?”*
*”Alive,”* William replied.
From inside came the smell of roast meat and fresh vegetables. Max sniffed, wagging his tail. William smiled and stood.
Life went on.
