If Only You Knew

My sister had struggled with severe depression for years, and the only thing that seemed to ease her pain was her dog, Toto, who had become her constant companion.

But when her illness flared up again, Toto was nowhere to be found.

Then, my husband, Lionel Cress's childhood sweetheart posted a picture of Toto on social media.

[With her, it feels like you're here with me.]

I lost it. I called Lionel in a frenzy, but despite being my sister's psychologist, he was completely indifferent.

"Your sister has been sick for so long. How could she suddenly relapse just because Toto's gone for a few days?"

When I rushed back home, I found my sister in the bathroom, her wrists cut.

Later, Toto's body was discovered outside our building, with Lionel's gift to his childhood sweetheart—a ring—lying next to her.

I buried both my sister and Toto, and left behind nothing but a divorce agreement.

Lionel went crazy, desperately trying to find me.

I had just come to terms with the death of my sister, Hope Marsh, when I found her dog, Toto's body.

Toto was covered in wounds, her legs twisted at strange angles. Next to her lay a necklace. I picked it up, and in the pale moonlight, I saw that the diamond ring hanging from it was engraved with the letters L and M.

They stood for Lionel and Maisie McBride.

I gripped the diamond ring tightly, crouched down, and carefully cradled Toto's bloodied body. Her warmth still lingered, and as I stroked her fur, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore.

In one night, I had lost two family members.

I placed Toto's body in a cardboard box, with her favorite treats and toys beside her.

"I'm sorry, Toto… Go be with Hope now. She missed you so much..."

I grabbed my coat and drove to Maisie's apartment.

When Maisie opened the door, my already-frayed emotions shattered completely.

A brief, self-satisfied smile flashed across her face when she saw me.

"June? What are you doing here?"

I scoffed and slapped her across the face.

Maisie, caught off guard, stood frozen for a moment, her pale cheek swelling rapidly.

She took a while to regain her composure, and her eyes started to redden.

"June? What's going on? Did I do something to upset you?"

I looked at her coldly, ready to raise my hand again when Lionel emerged from the bedroom.

He was wearing pajamas, clearly just woken up.

Seeing Maisie's swollen face, he instantly sobered up before stepping forward to grab my wrist.

"June! Why are you acting crazy?"

His grip was strong enough to make my wrist feel like it might snap.

I bit my lip, stifling the cry that almost escaped.

"I'm acting crazy? You're a psychologist! You know how important Toto was to Hope! You know how painful it is when depression flares up—why are you acting like it's nothing?"

Lionel paused, then rubbed his forehead in frustration.

"I've already told you that