Spotting the dog lying by the bench, he rushed over to it. His gaze fell on the leash, carelessly left behind by Natalie. The moment he saw the dog resting near the bench, he hurried straight to it. The leash, discarded thoughtlessly by Natalie, caught his eye. Max looked up at his owner with swollen, pleading eyes
It had been nearly two years since hed barely spoken to his sister. Emily still couldnt understand how a trivial disagreement had spiraled into such a bitter conflict.
Emily and William Robinson were born just a year apart. Since childhood, theyd been inseparable, always standing up for each other. No matter what mischief they got into, they shared the blame equallynever hiding behind the other.
Their hometown, Willowbrook, flourished year after year. They were lucky to have Thomas Whitmore as their village leadera man born and raised there, who proved to be an exceptional economist. After finishing agricultural studies at university, he returned to Willowbrook and threw himself into improving the place. His efforts were soon recognized, and within a decade, Thomas became the village administrator.
His personal life flourished too. Emily, after completing her nursing training, began working at the local clinic. Thomas couldnt help but notice a beauty like her. Emily returned his interest. 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.
When Emily was still single, Natalie often grumbled about her, calling her useless or stuck-up. But after the wedding, grumbling turned to envy. Natalie demanded more from her husbanda bigger house, a nicer car, finer clothes
She increasingly threw it in his face: *”Others have everything, and we have nothing!”* William did his best, but neither money nor effort could satisfy Natalies desires.
Part of her bitterness came from her own unhappinessshed never been blessed with children. Meanwhile, Emily married well, had a son and then a daughter, built a spacious home, and her husband climbed the ranks
Family gatherings often ended in arguments. Every time William visited Emilys place, Natalie would berate him afterward.
The final blow-up happened on Williams birthday. Emily brought him a Labrador puppy from the citya dog hed always wanted. Thomas gifted him a new motorbike.
Everything was fine until a tipsy Natalie flew into a rage and hurled her pent-up fury at Emily:
*”Whats this then, Em? The dogsome kind of joke? Since we cant have kids, well just get a dog, is that it?”*
Emily tried to calm her:
*”Natalie, relax. Youll regret this later”*
But her words fell on deaf ears. A huge row erupted, splitting the guests into factions. Thomas quietly suggested to his wife they should leave, and after saying their goodbyes, they did.
Two years passed. That evening, William began avoiding his sister, their relationship reduced to brief, occasional meetings. Meanwhile, tension between him and Natalie grew.
Nights found William walking along the riverbank with Max more often. The two seemed contentWilliam throwing sticks, Max chasing after them, then flopping at his feet, listening to his quiet stories.
Emily heard about this from neighbors but did nothingWilliam remained stubborn.
After the disastrous argument, Natalies hatred for Emilyand for Maxintensified. When William wasnt home, shed shove the dog outside, shouting at him, sometimes even hitting him.
Nosy neighbors only poured fuel on the fire:
*”Nat, your husbands down by the river again with that dog”*
*”Yesterday, he ran into Emily, her husband, and the kids Laughing like they hadnt a care!”*
Jealousy consumed Natalie. One day, William asked:
*”Natalie, youre not hurting Max, are you?”*
*”As if Id bother with your dog!”* 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, growling:
*”Ive had enough of this endless jealousy!”*
Alone, seething, Natalie dragged Max outside, tied him to the bench, and lashed him with the leash. The poor dog yelped in pain. When her rage was spent, she dropped the leash, packed her things, and left for good.
That evening, William returned home to find no dog waiting at the gate. The house was a mess. By the bench, he found Max, fists clenching at the sight. Quickly untying him, he cradled the wounded dog and rushed to the clinic.
Emily was about to leave when she saw her brother holding the bleeding dog:
*”Em, help”* William croaked.
They carried Max into the treatment room. Emily examined him thoroughly:
*”Who did this to him?”*
*”Natalie”* William looked away.
Emily nodded silently. She stitched the wounds, rinsed his eyes, and gave him water.
Later, in the hallway, William whispered guiltily:
*”Im sorry, Em”*
*”Dont be,”* she replied tiredly. *”And Natalie?”*
*”No, Em. Not after this.”*
Emily called Thomas:
*”Tom, come get me, please.”*
Hearing the exhaustion in his wifes voice, Thomas set off immediately.
Half an hour later, he stood in the hallway. Seeing the siblings clinging to each other, Max whimpering softly beside them, he didnt ask questionsjust smiled:
*”Come on then, you lot.”*
They took William home, giving him instructions for Maxs care.
When Emily told their mother what happened, she sighed:
*”He shouldve left her long ago.”*
With that, she headed to her sons to help tidy the house.
On the porch, William sat stroking Max. His mother approached, ruffling both their heads:
*”Still in one piece?”*
*”Just about,”* William replied.
A rich aroma floated from the houseroast meat and fresh vegetables. Max sniffed the air, wagging his tail. William smiled and stood up.
Life went on.
