Chapter 3: What Lies in the Shadows
Arthur stared at the pantry doors. The heavy dread in his stomach began to shift into deep curiosity. He walked slowly across the dark tile floor, the silence of the room amplifying every footstep.
He reached out, his hand resting on the sleek metal handle of the pantry. He threw a glance back at Eleanor, who was now holding Lily tightly against her gold dress. Eleanor gave him a small, nervous nod.
Arthur pulled the door open.
There, nestled on a pile of old, soft blankets in the corner of the pantry, was a tiny, shivering golden retriever puppy. The puppy was terrifyingly thin, its fur matted with dried mud, and a makeshift bandage was wrapped clumsily around its back left leg. Next to the blankets sat a small cup of water.
Arthur stared at the little creature. The puppy let out a soft, pathetic whimper and tucked its head under its paws.
Suddenly, the metal dog bowl on the kitchen floor made sense.
Arthur let out a long, shaky breath, the tension leaving his shoulders. He turned back to look at his family. "A dog?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"We found him in the alley behind the boutique this afternoon," Eleanor explained, standing up and taking Lily’s hand. "Someone hit him, Arthur. He was freezing and crying. We had to bring him home."
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"But I..." Arthur started, his voice catching in his throat.
"Mom said you would send him to a shelter," Lily interrupted, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. "You said we could never, ever have a dog in this house. Mom said we had to hide him until after the gala so you wouldn't be mad."
