When She Returned Home from Work, Her Cat Was Nowhere to Be Found

I never thought Id be the type to keep a diary, but today feels like a day that needs to be remembered, one way or another.

I grew up fairly simple, really. No wild habits, no trouble. At twenty-five, Mum and Dad helped me buy my own flat in Manchester, putting up the money for my mortgage deposit. Suddenly, I was living alone for the first time. I work as a software developer and, if Im honest, I prefer peace and quiet. I barely spoke to anyone outside the office.

To avoid losing my mind from the solitude, I decided to adopt a kitten. He had a quirk; his front paws were slightly crooked, and the people who owned his mother planned to put him down. I couldnt bear the thought, so I took him home and named him Oliver. Life with Ollie was good I hurried home every day after work just to see him waiting for me on the doormat. He always greeted me as if Id been gone for ages.

After a while, things changed I started seeing a girl from work. Her name was Grace, and she was assertive, swept me off my feet, and before a month had passed, moved in with me.

From the start, Grace didnt like Ollie. She wanted me to get rid of him, but I refused. I tried to explain how much Ollie meant to me. Grace didnt give up; she kept nagging, complaining that Ollie was ruining our image with his paws, saying guests were disgusted every time they visited. I felt torn, loving them both.

Mum and Dad werent thrilled about Grace, either. They said she was cheeky and rude, and urged me not to rush into anything legal just yet, to wait and see.

The breaking point came when Graces parents visited. Graces dad laughed outright when he saw Ollie as soon as he walked through the door, calling him odd. I instinctively defended Ollie, growing more irritated as Grace and her family poked fun at my cat all evening, suggesting ridiculous places I could send him off to. Graces mum jumped in, too, and I felt sick.

The next day, when I came home from work, Ollie was gone. I panicked, confronted Grace, and she coolly said shed taken Ollie to the vet clinic and left him there.

I rushed out, desperately searching for him for hours. Five long hours. And I found him at last. Ollie purred in my arms, so content to see me. When we got home, I told Grace to pack her bags and leave. I couldnt bear her anymore shed become utterly revolting to me.

She quietly packed and left in the morning. I dont think she ever believed the cat would mean more to me than she did.

Now, its back to just me and Ollie. Hes always happy to see me after work, and I know I made the right choice. Sometimes, loyalty to our little companions is more important than anything else.