Spotting the dog lying by the bench, she rushed over to it. Her gaze fell on the leash that Natasha had carelessly left behind. The moment she saw the dog resting near the bench, she hurried straight to it. In her line of sight was the leash, tossed aside without a thought. Max looked up at his owner with swollen, pleading eyes.
It had been nearly two years since shed spoken properly to her brother. Ellen still couldnt understand how a silly little argument had blown up into such a bitter feud.
Ellen and David Rutherford were born a year apart. Since childhood, theyd been inseparable, always sticking 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 villages leaderPeter Michaels, born and raised there, had proven to be a brilliant businessman. After finishing agricultural college, he returned home and got straight to work. His efforts paid off, and within a decade, Peter became Willowbrooks council chairman.
His personal life flourished too. Ellen, after completing her nursing training, started working at the local clinic. Peter couldnt just walk past such beauty without noticing. Ellen returned his interest. They married, and the whole village celebrated. David was genuinely happy for his sister, though his own marriage to Natasha was far from smooth.
When Ellen was still single, Natasha would often grumble about her, calling her useless or stuck-up. But after the wedding, grumbling turned to envy. Natasha demanded more from her husbanda bigger house, a nicer car, a better coat
Shed often throw it in his face: “Everyone else has everything, and weve got nothing!” David tried his best, but he couldnt satisfy Natashas desires, not with money or effort.
Part of Natashas bitterness came from her own unhappinessshe hadnt been blessed with children. And meanwhile, Ellen was happily married, had a son and then a daughter, built a spacious house, while her husband climbed the ranks
Family gatherings ended in arguments more and more often. Every time David visited Ellens place, Natasha would tear into him afterward.
The final blow-up happened at Davids birthday party. Ellen brought him a Labrador puppy as a gifthed wanted one for ages. Peter gave him a new motorbike.
Everything was fine until Natasha, drunk, flew into a rage and unleashed all her pent-up anger on Ellen:
“Whats this, then, Ellie? A dogis that some kind of dig? Since we cant have kids, might as well get a dog, is that it?”
Ellen tried to calm her down: “Nat, take a breath. Youll regret this later…”
But it didnt help. A huge row broke out, guests taking sides. Peter quietly told Ellen they should leave, and after saying quick goodbyes, they walked out.
Two years passed. After that night, David started avoiding his sistertheir relationship reduced to brief, rare meetings. Meanwhile, tension grew between him and Natasha.
Evenings, David often walked Max by the river. The two seemed content together: David would toss a stick, Max would bound after it, then flop at his feet, listening to his owners quiet stories.
Ellen heard about this from neighbors but didnt interfereDavid was stubborn.
After the disastrous argument, Natashas hatred for Ellenand for Maxonly grew. When David wasnt home, shed shove the dog outside, shout at him, sometimes even hit him.
Nosy neighbors only made it worse:
“Hey, Nat, your husbands down by the river again with that dog…”
“Yesterday, he ran into Ellie and her family… Laughing like nothings wrong!”
Jealousy consumed Natasha. One day, David snapped:
“Enough of this constant bitterness!”
Alone, seething with anger, Natasha dragged Max into the garden, tied him to the bench, and lashed out with the leash. The poor dog whimpered in pain. Once her rage was spent, she dropped the leash, packed her things, and left for good.
That evening, David came home to no dog waiting at the gate. The house was a mess. He found Max by the bench, his fists clenching. Quickly untying him, he cradled the dog and rushed to the clinic.
Ellen was about to leave when she saw her brother carrying the bleeding dog:
“Ellie, help…” David choked out.
They took Max into the treatment room. Ellen examined him carefully:
“Who did this?”
“Natasha…” David looked away.
Ellen nodded silently. She stitched the wounds, cleaned his eyes, gave him water.
Later, David whispered guiltily in the hallway:
“Forgive me, Ellie…”
“Dont be silly,” she smiled tiredly. “And Natasha…?”
“No, Ellie. Not after this.”
Ellen called Peter:
“Pete, come get me, please.”
Hearing the exhaustion in his wifes voice, Peter didnt hesitate.
Half an hour later, he stood in the hallway. Seeing the siblings embracing, Max whimpering softly beside them, he didnt ask questionsjust grinned:
“Right then, come on, you lot.”
They took David home, giving him advice on caring for Max.
When Ellen told their mum what happened, she just sighed:
“Shouldve left her ages ago.” Then she headed over to help her son tidy up.
On the porch, David sat stroking Max. Their mother reached them, gently touching both:
“You two all right?”
“Were alive,” David answered.
The smell of roasted meat and fresh vegetables drifted from the house. Max sniffed the air, wagging his tail. David smiled and stood up.
Life went on.
