I stared at the video on Lisa’s phone, my hands shaking. There, clear as day, was my mother-in-law carrying Benji in a crate, stuffing him into her car, and driving off. The timestamp confirmed it happened the day after I left for my trip.
Tears blurred my vision, but rage burned through me. I turned back to my husband and his mother, who were still sitting there like nothing had happened.
“You lied to me.” My voice was low, dangerous.
My mother-in-law rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. You act like we threw away your baby. It’s just a cat.”
Just a cat.
Benji had been my lifeline, my source of comfort, my family when I had no one else. And they had taken him from me.
I turned to Lisa, gripping her arm. “Do you know where she took him?”
She nodded. “I followed her to the outskirts of town. There’s an old barn—looked like she dumped him there and drove off.”
That was all I needed to hear. I spun on my heel, grabbed my car keys, and left without another word. I didn’t care about the shouts behind me. My only focus was Benji.
Lisa came with me, guiding me through winding roads until we reached the barn. I barely parked before I was out of the car, calling his name.
“Benji! Benji, it’s me!”
The only response was the rustling of leaves. My heart pounded. What if he wasn’t here? What if something had already happened to him?
Then, a faint, weak meow.
I rushed toward the sound, flashlight shaking in my grip. And there he was—huddled in the corner, eyes wide, fur matted with dirt.
“Oh, baby,” I whispered, dropping to my knees. He flinched at first but then recognized me, letting out a broken purr.
Lisa helped me wrap him in a blanket, and I held him close, tears falling freely. Relief flooded my body, but it was quickly replaced by fury.
They had dumped him here like garbage. Left him to die.
I wasn’t going to let this go.
—
By the time I returned home, I had a plan. I walked through the front door, still cradling Benji, and faced my husband and his mother, who had been waiting for me.
“Oh, great,” MIL sneered. “You actually went and got it?”
I smiled. “Yes. And now, I have something for you.”
I pulled out my phone and hit play on the video Lisa had taken. Their smug expressions faltered.
“You see,” I said, tilting my head, “abandoning an animal is a crime. And since I have video proof, I just sent it to the authorities.”
My MIL paled. “You wouldn’t—”
“Oh, I absolutely would. And did.”
I turned to my husband. “And you? You let this happen. You thought I would just ‘move on’?”
He opened his mouth, but I held up a hand. “Save it. I’m done. I’ll be out by tomorrow. Enjoy your ‘real family.’”
And with that, I walked away, knowing full well they never expected me to fight back
Edward Wade is a talented writer known for his unique blend of humor and storytelling. With a passion for making people laugh, he specializes in creating captivating stories and witty jokes. As a contributor to various platforms, Edward has gained recognition for his ability to craft lighthearted, yet thought-provoking content that resonates with readers of all ages. His witty style and sharp sense of humor have earned him a loyal following, making him a go-to writer for those in search of a good laugh and engaging narratives. Whether it’s a hilarious short story or a clever joke, Edward’s writing never fails to entertain.