Spotting the dog lying beside the bench, she rushed over at once. Her gaze fell on the lead, carelessly discarded by Natalie.
The moment she saw the dog resting near the bench, she hurried toward it. In her line of sight was the leash Natalie had tossed aside. Max looked up at his owner with swollen eyes, whimpering softly.
Nearly two years had passed since shed last spoken properly to her brother. Emily still couldnt understand how a trivial disagreement had spiralled into such bitterness.
Emily and William Hartley had been 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 equally, never hiding behind the other.
Their hometown, Willowbrook, had flourished over the years. They were fortunate to have a dedicated mayorThomas Whitaker, himself a local, who proved to be an exceptional leader.
After graduating with a degree in agriculture, Thomas returned to Willowbrook and threw himself into revitalising the village. His efforts were quickly recognised, and within a decade, he became the towns mayor.
His personal life flourished, too. Emily, after finishing nursing college, began working at the village clinic. Thomas couldnt help but notice her. Emily returned his affections, and they married in a celebration the whole village attended. William was genuinely happy for his sister, though his own marriage to Natalie was far less harmonious.
While Emily was still single, Natalie had often muttered about her, calling her stuck-up or useless. But after the wedding, envy took hold. Natalie began demanding morea bigger house, a nicer car, finer clothes.
Shed snap at William: “Everyone else has everything, and we have nothing!” He tried his best, but neither money nor effort could satisfy her.
Natalies unhappiness deepenedshed never been blessed with children. Meanwhile, Emily thrived: married well, had a son and a daughter, built a spacious home, while her husband rose in status.
Family gatherings increasingly ended in arguments. Every time William visited Emily, Natalie would berate him afterward.
The final blow came at Williams birthday party. Emily gifted him a Labrador puppyhed always wanted one. Thomas gave him a new motorcycle.
Everything was fine until Natalie, tipsy, erupted in rage and hurled her pent-up resentment at Emily:
“Oh, whats this, Em? A dogis that some kind of dig? Since we cant have kids, well just get a mutt instead, is that it?”
Emily tried to calm her:
“Nat, just breathe. Youll regret this later.”
But her words fell on deaf ears. A huge row erupted, splitting the guests into factions. Thomas quietly suggested they leave, and after a quick goodbye, they slipped away.
Two years passed. That evening, William began avoiding his sister, their relationship reduced to brief, strained encounters. Tension grew between him and Natalie, too.
At night, William often walked Max by the river. They seemed content togetherWilliam tossing sticks, Max bounding after them before 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 Emily and the dog festered. When William wasnt home, shed chase Max outside, shouting at him, sometimes even hitting him.
Gossiping neighbours only fuelled her rage:
“Did you hear, Nat? Your husbands down by the river again with that dog”
“Yesterday, he ran into Em and her kids. They were all laughing, having a grand time!”
Jealousy consumed Natalie. Once, William confronted her:
“Nat, youre not hurting Max, are you?”
“Like Id waste my time on your mutt!” she snapped before storming off.
Max began hiding from her, trembling whenever she appeared.
It all came to a head one morning when William, furious, spat out:
“Ive had enough of this endless jealousy!”
Left 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 came home to find no dog waiting at the gate. The house was in disarray. Near the bench, he found Max. His fists clenched. Quickly untying him, he cradled the wounded dog and rushed to the clinic.
Emily was just preparing to leave when she spotted her brother holding the bleeding dog:
“Em, help” he croaked.
They carried Max into the treatment room. Emily examined him thoroughly:
“Who did this?”
“Natalie,” William murmured, eyes downcast.
Emily gave a quiet nod. She stitched the wounds, cleaned his eyes, and gave him water. Later, in the hallway, William whispered guiltily:
“Forgive me, Em.”
“Dont be silly,” she replied wearily. “And Natalie?”
“No, Em. Not after this.”
Emily called Thomas:
“Tom, come get me, please.”
Hearing the exhaustion in his wifes voice, he set off at once.
Within half an hour, he stood in the hallway. Seeing his brother-in-law and wife embracing, Max whimpering softly beside them, he simply smiled:
“Come on, you two. Lets go home.”
They took William back, advising him on Maxs care.
When Emily told their mother what happened, she sighed:
“They shouldve divorced long ago.”
She headed straight to her sons house to help tidy up.
On the porch, William sat stroking Max. His mother approached, gently touching both:
“You alright?”
“Were alright,” William said.
From inside, the smell of roast and fresh vegetables wafted out. Max sniffed the air, tail wagging. William smiled and stood.
Life went on.
Sometimes, letting go of what poisons your heart is the only way to heal.
