Spotting the dog lying by the bench, he rushed over. His gaze fell on the leash, carelessly left behind by Natalie.
As soon as he noticed the dog resting near the bench, he hurried to it. In his line of sight was the leash, which Natalie had tossed aside without a second thought. Max looked up at his owner with swollen, pleading eyes…
He and his sister had barely spoken in nearly two years. Emma still couldnt understand how a trivial disagreement had spiraled into such a bitter feud.
Emma and William Rutherford were born a year apart. Since childhood, they had 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 leaderEdward Wilson, a native of the village, who proved to be an exceptional economic strategist.
After graduating from agricultural college, Edward returned to Willowbrook and threw himself into revitalizing the community. His efforts were quickly recognized, and within a decade, he became the head of the village council.
His personal life flourished too. Emma, after finishing nursing school, began working at the local clinic. Edward couldnt ignore such beauty. Emma returned his affections, and they married in a celebration the whole village joined. William was genuinely happy for his sister, though his own marriage to Natalie was far less harmonious.
When Emma was single, Natalie had occasionally grumbled about her, calling her useless or stuck-up. But after the wedding, jealousy replaced resentment. Natalie demanded morea bigger house, a fancier car, finer clothes.
She often threw it in Williams face: *”Everyone else has everything, and we have nothing!”* He did his best, but Natalies desires outpaced his means.
Part of her unhappiness stemmed from being unable to conceivesomething she bitterly resented. Meanwhile, Emma had married well, had a son and a daughter, built a spacious home, and her husband climbed the ranks.
Family gatherings increasingly ended in arguments. Every time William visited Emma, Natalie would berate him afterward.
The final blow came on Williams birthday. Emma gifted him a Labrador puppyhed always wanted one. Edward gave him a new motorbike.
All was well until Natalie, drunk, erupted in rage, unloading years of frustration on Emma:
*”Whats this then, Em? A dog? Is this some kind of joke? If we cant have kids, might as well get a mutt, is that it?”*
Emma tried to calm her: *”Nat, youll regret this later…”*
But her words fell on deaf ears. A massive row erupted, splitting the guests into factions. Edward quietly suggested they leave, and after polite goodbyes, they departed.
Two years passed. William began avoiding his sister, their contact reduced to brief, rare encounters. Meanwhile, tensions between him and Natalie grew.
Evenings, William often walked Max along the river. They seemed contentWilliam tossing sticks, Max bounding after them, then flopping at his feet, listening to his quiet stories.
Emma heard about this from neighbors but did nothingWilliam remained stubborn.
After the disastrous argument, Natalies hatred for Emmaand Maxdeepened. When William was out, shed chase the dog outside, shouting, sometimes even hitting him.
Nosy neighbors only fueled her jealousy:
*”Nat, your husbands down by the river again with that dog…”*
*”Yesterday, he ran into Em, her husband, and the kidslaughing like they hadnt a care!”*
Rage consumed Natalie. One day, William confronted her:
*”Nat, you havent been hurting Max, have you?”*
*”As if Id waste my time on that mutt!”* she snapped before storming off.
Max began hiding from her, trembling when she appeared.
It all ended one morning when William finally snapped:
*”Ive had enough of this envy!”*
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 fury faded, 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. He found Max by the bench, fists clenching. He untied him and rushed to the clinic.
Emma was about to leave when she saw her brother cradling the bleeding dog:
*”Em, please help…”* he croaked.
They carried Max to the treatment room. Emma examined him carefully:
*”Who did this?”*
*”Natalie,”* William muttered.
Emma nodded silently, stitched his wounds, washed his eyes, and gave him water.
Later, in the hallway, William whispered guiltily:
*”Forgive me, Em…”*
*”Dont be daft,”* she replied tiredly. *”And Natalie…?”*
*”No, Em. Its over.”*
Emma called Edward:
*”Ed, come get me, please.”*
Hearing the exhaustion in his wifes voice, he left at once.
Half an hour later, he stood in the hallway. Seeing the siblings embracing, Max whimpering softly beside them, he simply smiled:
*”Right then, lets get you home.”*
They took William back, advising him on Maxs care.
When Emma told their mother what happened, she sighed:
*”He shouldve left her years ago.”*
She then went to her sons house to help tidy up.
On the porch, William sat stroking Max. Their mother approached, touching both gently:
*”You alright?”*
*”Were alright,”* William replied.
The smell of roast and fresh vegetables drifted from the house. Max sniffed the air, wagging his tail. William smiled and stood.
Life went on.
