Spotting the dog lying beside the bench, she rushed toward it. Her gaze fell on the leash, carelessly discarded by Natalie.
The moment she saw the dog sprawled near the bench, she didnt hesitate. The sight of the leashleft behind in Natalies usual neglectonly tightened the knot in her stomach. Max stared up at her with swollen eyes, whining softly
It had been nearly two years since shed spoken properly to her brother. Emma still couldnt fathom how a petty argument had spiraled into something so bitter.
Emma and William Archer had been born a year apart. Since childhood, theyd been inseparablealways standing up for each other. No matter what trouble they got into, they faced the consequences together, never hiding behind the other.
Their hometown, Chelmsford, had thrived over the years. Theyd been fortunate with their local MPThomas Whitmore, a man born and raised there, whod proven himself a shrewd businessman.
After graduating from agricultural college, hed returned to Chelmsford and thrown himself into revitalizing the community. His efforts were quickly recognized, and within a decade, Thomas Whitmore became the towns most respected leader.
Life had been kind to him in other ways, too. Emma, after finishing nursing school, began working at the local clinic. Thomas couldnt ignore a woman like her. She returned his affection, and soon, they were marrieda celebration that brought the whole town together. William had been genuinely happy for his sister, though his own marriage to Natalie was far from smooth.
While Emma was still single, Natalie had muttered about hercalling her useless or stuck-up. But after the wedding, the grumbling turned to jealousy. Natalie demanded more from her husbanda bigger house, a nicer car, expensive coats…
Everyone else has everything, and weve got nothing! shed snap. William worked himself ragged, but no amount of money or effort could satisfy her.
Part of Natalies bitterness stemmed from her own unhappinessshed never been blessed with children. Meanwhile, Emma had married well, given birth to a boy and then a girl, built a spacious home, and watched her husband rise in status
Family gatherings increasingly ended in shouting matches. Every time William visited Emmas family, Natalie would berate him afterward.
The final explosion happened on Williams birthday. Emma brought him a Labrador puppyhed always wanted one. Thomas gifted him a new motorbike.
Everything was fine until Natalie, drunk, exploded.
Whats this, Em? A dog? Is that some kind of dig? Since theres no baby, well just get a bloody dog, is that it?
Emma tried to calm her.
Natalie, please. Youll regret this later.
But her words meant nothing. A vicious row erupted, splitting the guests into factions. Thomas quietly urged Emma to leave, and they slipped away from the celebration.
Two years passed. From that night on, William began avoiding his sistertheir relationship reduced to brief, awkward meetings. Tension between him and Natalie festered.
Evenings found William walking Max by the river. They looked content togetherWilliam tossing sticks, Max bounding after them. The dog would flop at his feet, listening as William murmured stories under the dimming sky.
Emma heard about it from neighbors but didnt interveneWilliam was stubborn.
After the disastrous argument, Natalies hatred for Emma and Max grew. When William wasnt home, shed shove the dog outside, shouting, sometimes even hitting him.
Gossiping neighbors only stoked the fire.
Nat, your husbands down by the river with that dog again.
Yesterday, he bumped into Emma and her lotlaughing like it was nothing!
Jealousy consumed Natalie. One evening, William confronted her.
Nat, you havent been hurting Max, have you?
As if I care about your stupid dog! she spat before storming off.
Max began hiding when Natalie appeared, trembling at the sound of her voice.
Everything ended the morning William finally snapped.
Im sick of this endless bitterness!
Alone, seething, Natalie dragged Max outside, tied him to the bench, and lashed him with the belt. The poor creature yelped in pain. When her rage burned out, she dropped the belt, packed her things, and walked out for good.
That evening, William returned to an empty house. No Max waiting by the gate. Inside, chaos. He found the dog at the bench. His fists clenched. He pulled the rope free, scooped Max into his arms, and ran to the clinic.
Emma was about to leave when she saw her brother cradling the bleeding dog.
Em help, he choked out.
They carried Max to the exam table. Emma examined him carefully.
Who did this?
Natalie. William couldnt meet her eyes.
Emma nodded silently. She stitched the wounds, washed his eyes, gave him water.
Later, in the hallway, William whispered, Im sorry, Em.
Dont be. She smiled tiredly. And Natalie?
No, Em. Not anymore.
Emma called Thomas.
Tom, come get me, please.
Hearing the exhaustion in her voice, he was already on his way.
Half an hour later, he stood in the hallway. Seeing his wife and her brother side by side, Max whimpering softly beside them, he didnt ask questionsjust smiled.
Come on, you lot.
He drove William home, offering advice on caring for Max.
When Emma told their mother what happened, the woman sighed.
They shouldve divorced years ago.
She headed straight to her sons house to help clean up.
The porch light glowed. William sat there, stroking Max. His mother reached out, touching them both.
Still breathing?
Still breathing, William answered.
The scent of roasted meat and fresh vegetables drifted from the house. Max sniffed the air, tail wagging. William smiled and stood.
Life went on.
