A faint mewl reached Roberts ears. Glancing down, he saw a tiny kitten, its mother desperately shielding it from a snarling dog
He stumbled on the slick autumn pavement, his legs unsteady, his mind clouded by the weight of the drink in his system. The gloom inside him mirrored the world outsideas if someone had shattered every light in his soul.
Clutched in his hand was a freshly opened bottle, poised to drown another fragment of the pain choking him from within. The same question echoed again: *Why me?* But the strength to seek an answer had long since drained away.
Robert had once been a brilliant surgeon. His golden hands had saved countless lives, even in the direst of circumstances. He worked himself to exhaustion, fighting for every patient as if their fate were his own. To him, every operation was a battlefor health, for hope, for survival.
The papers had written about him. The news had broadcast his face. The city knew his name. None of it mattered. He didnt crave fameonly the chance to help. Hed turned down offers from prestigious London hospitals, refused staggering salaries, refusing to abandon his hometown. His wife had despised him for it. She screamed, blamed, accusedbut Robert stood firm.
Then came the day she found out hed rejected another London position. The argument had erupted over the phone. She shrieked that he was destroying their family. Their son had been in the car, but even his presence couldnt halt her tirade. She hadnt seen the lorry pulling out.
Impact. Brakes. Court. Funeral. Emptiness.
He tightened his grip on the bottle, ready to take another swiguntil a sharp bark cut through the wind. Robert frowned, scanning the dim street. Under the archway of a nearby building, a teenager was goading a muscular dog toward a terrified tabby.
The cat hissed, back pressed to the wall, as the boy jeered, Go on, Rex! Get her!
The dog lunged, barking wildly, relishing the cruel game. But the catdespite its fearlashed out, striking the dogs nose. Robert squinted. Something wasnt right Then he saw it: the cat shielding a tiny, trembling ball of fura kitten.
Have you lost your mind? Robert roared, hurling the bottle aside and splashing through the puddles toward them.
The boy turned. Seeing the furious man charging toward him, he hastily reeled in the dogs leash and backed away. Robert scooped up the trembling tabby, cradling her against his chest. She struggled brieflythen he heard another faint mewl. The kitten.
He bent, gathering the tiny creature and placing it beside its mother. The cat immediately stilled.
What kind of monster sets a dog on a defenseless mother and her kitten? Roberts voice was steel. If you were my son, youd be feeling my belt right now. Wheres your father? Is this what he taught you?
The boys gaze dropped. Dont have one, he muttered.
Something in the boys voice made Robert pause. In the dim light, he caught the glint of a tear.
You know what you did was wrong? Robert asked, softer now.
The boy nodded, sniffing.
Mum just got Rex. II just wanted to see what he could do. Sorry. Wont happen again. He turned to leave.
Whats your name? Robert called.
Arthur, the boy answered, hesitating.
Dont make that mistake again, Arthur. Understood?
A silent nod, and Arthur vanished around the corner.
Robert hurried home, the rescued cats pressed to his chest. His flat was just minutes away. He crossed the threshold without bothering to remove his coat, gently settling his new housemates on the sofa.
The tabby had no wounds, but one paw was clearly injured. Robert stroked her head. She leaned into his touch.
Youre a beauty, he murmured. And this little one takes after you.
He rummaged in the fridge, scooping pâté onto a saucer. The cats devoured it. Afterward, the mother began licking her kitten, and Robert smiled.
Gentle thing Sweetie. Thats what Ill call you.
Carefully tucking them into a gym bag, he rushed to the 24-hour vet clinic nearby.
We need helpnow! he burst in, breathless.
A young woman hurried over. Hello! Whats happened?
Robert set the bag on the counter, lifting Sweetie out. Her paws brokendisplaced, I think. Found her defending her kitten in the street.
Lets have a look. The vet took Sweetie, examining her. Well need X-rays and bloodwork. Itll take some time. We can transfer her to a shelter afterward.
Shelter? Over my dead body, Robert snapped. Shes mine. The kitten too.
The vet sighed. Wait here, then.
An hour later, the kittennow declared healthy but for minor eye inflammationwas returned to him.
Thank you, the assistant said warmly.
For what?
For not walking away. For saving them.
Another two hours passed before the vet reappeared with Sweetie.
The surgery went well. The fracture was complex, but shell recover. She studied Robert. You look familiar Youre Robert Whitmore. The surgeon from St. Marys.
Will she be all right? he asked, eyes fixed on Sweetie.
Yes. You saved her life.
Robert exhaled. Couldnt just leave her. That boy and his dog nearly killed herbut she fought for her kitten.
The vet paled. A boy? With a boxer?
Yes. You know him?
Hes my son. Her smile vanished. After his father died, he fell in with the wrong crowd
Robert winced. I didnt know. You gave him the dog?
He begged for years. After my husbands accident, I thought it might help She shook her head. Come back tomorrow. Andthank you. A calico brings luck.
Over the next fortnight, Robert doted on Sweetie, feeding her on schedule, attending every check-up. The kittennow named Caesarquickly claimed his heart.
By the second night, both cats were curled beside him in bed. Robert began rushing home after shifts, even buying treats from the pet shop. Sweetie greeted him at the door with a loud meow.
Colleagues noticed the change. He smiled more. No longer dreaded going home. He showed off photos of Caesars antics, laughing as he recounted them.
Each vet visit became a chance to talk to VeronicaSweeties vet. Soon, Dr. Hartley became Nikki.
She confided in him: the struggle of raising a teen alone, the fourteen-hour shifts. She adored animals, but her late husbands allergies had forbidden them. Arthur had begged for a dog.
Rex, their boxer, had behavioral issues. Robert found a trainer. Soon, the dog improved. Arthur started visiting Robert, even joining him and Nikki for countryside trips to Roberts cottage.
Three months later, Robert proposed. She said yes.
They married at home, a small gathering. Sweetie and Caesar eyed Rex warilybut the dog, disciplined now, lay calmly as Caesar rubbed against him. Rex bared his teeth, then relented, sniffing the kitten.
Caesars won him over, Nikki laughed.
Robert stroked Sweeties back. No. They brought me back to life.
The cat arched, rolling onto her back, purring as he rubbed her belly.
Because of Sweetie, I found you. Now we have a real family.
Sweetie cracked one eye, whiskers twitchingas if smiling. Her purpose was fulfilled. Shed brought this house its happiness.
