Pulling into her driveway, she parks the car and takes a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering tension. As she steps out, she notices Max, her loyal dog, sitting by the window, his tail thumping excitedly as soon as he sees her. She can't help but smile at the sight of him. Max always knew how to cheer her up.
Once inside, Max eagerly runs over, wagging his tail furiously. Marilena crouches down to give him a good scratch behind the ears.
"Hey, boy," she says, her voice soft. "Did you miss me?"
Max responds by licking her face, making her laugh. The simple joy of coming home to him makes everything feel a little lighter. She ruffles his fur before heading to the kitchen to feed him. Max follows closely behind, never missing a chance to eat.