Heartache washed over the young woman as she stood alone in the quiet flat. Daniel shut the door behind him with a heavy sigh, sinking into the sofa. Anger and confusion churned inside him. Just moments ago, hed been locked in a bitter row with his girlfriendall over a stray kitten.
The last half-hour had passed in a blur: sharp words exchanged, accusations flung, defenses raised. It felt as if the ground had vanished beneath his feet, leaving only a dull weight in his chest.
Emily had always drawn him in with her gentle nature, her kindness, the way she made everything feel effortless between them. They complemented each other perfectly. But lately, shed become distant, consumed by caring for some scrawny little thing shed found in the street.
At first, Daniel had humoured herfine, women loved animals, especially the pitiful ones. But over time, her obsession grew unhealthy. Every conversation revolved around the kittens treatment, its needs, its fragile health. It was as if all the energy and attention shed once given him had shifted to this wretched, half-blind creature.
When the argument finally erupted, Daniel laid it out plainly: the kitten took up more space in her life than he did. To him, nursing it back to health was a wasteof money, of emotion. Why not adopt a proper, healthy pet they could both enjoy? Why pour so much into a creature with no real chance at a normal life?
Emily took his words like a slap. She called him cold, heartless, blind to what truly mattered. The harder he tried to explain himself, the wider the gap between them grew.
It had started on an ordinary morning. Emily had heard a faint mewling outside her building. At first, she thought it was her imaginationuntil she glanced out the window and spotted a tiny, shivering bundle of fur huddled by the steps. Without thinking, she threw on her coat and rushed out.
The kitten was in a dreadful statefilthy, bony, its eyes crusted with infection. Its tail trembled as if struggling to keep balance. Gently, she scooped it up and brought it inside. The vets diagnosis was grim: a severe eye infection, likely to leave it blind. Treatment would be costly, with no guarantees.
But Emily refused to give up. She spent pounds on medications, eyedrops, careful feedings by syringe. Week after week, she nursed it, cleaning its wounds, coaxing it to eat.
A month later, the infection clearedbut the damage was done. The kitten would never see again. Friends suggested surrendering it, even putting it down. «Why prolong its suffering?» they asked.
Emily wouldnt hear of it. Shed saved it once; now it depended on her completely. She named it Pip, and though the first days were roughPip bumping into walls, stumblingthe little thing proved astonishingly clever. Within weeks, it navigated the flat with ease, found its food bowl without fail, even mastered the litter tray.
Before long, Pip became more than a pet. If Emily sat down, it curled into her lap. If she was upset, it pressed close, purring softly, as if sensing her mood.
Then came the fight with Daniel. He called her foolish for wasting time and money on a «hopeless case.» A proper, pedigree cat wouldve been better, he said. His words cut deep. How could he dismiss something so full of love and loyalty?
She tried to explainPip meant more to her than any other pet ever could. But Daniel only scoffed and left, muttering about wasted effort.
The hurt settled heavy in her chest. Suddenly, she realised who was truly blind. Not Pip, who gave nothing but affection despite its limits. Nothe blind one was Daniel, too myopic to see the value of devotion.
The breakup was quiet, without regret. Emily knew now what mattered. She didnt need a man who couldnt recognise kindness. She had Pipsmall, steadfast, and utterly devoted.
