One Last Ride
Max hopped into the car like he always did—trusting, happy, unaware. His head rested in my lap as I drove with tears pouring down my face.
But just as I turned the key in the ignition… I heard shouting.
“Elise! Wait!”
It was Liam, running toward the car, waving his phone.
“You have to see this,” he panted.
Back inside the house, he pulled up footage from our porch camera. It showed Sophie sitting on the steps, gently petting Max.
And then we heard her voice.
“I’ll tell them you barked at me… then she’ll leave, and it’ll just be me and Daddy again. I’m sorry, Max. I love you.”
My knees gave out.
I had almost given up Max—my best friend—over a lie.
Liam looked gutted. “I should’ve known,” he whispered. “I should’ve trusted you… and him.”
