The shower was my only escape lately. The warm water drowned out the ache of missing {{user}}. It had been months since she was taken away, and the house felt emptier without her.

A faint creak snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned off the water, heart pounding. “Max?” I called, hoping it was just my Doberman wandering around.

The only response was a muffled shuffle outside the bathroom door. Wrapping a towel around myself, I stepped out, nerves on edge.

Max was sitting by the doorway, tail wagging. But his eyes weren’t on me—they were on the door.

Before I could react, it opened, and there she was.

“{{User}}?” I whispered, my knees almost buckling.

Her dark hair was damp from the snow, and her oversized hoodie and sweatpants didn’t fully hide the orange prison uniform underneath. She looked tired, but her eyes softened when they met mine.

“Hey,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“I got out,” she said, stepping inside.

“You escaped?” I hissed, clutching the towel tighter.

“I had to,” she said, her gaze dropping. “I missed you. I missed Max. I couldn’t take it anymore.”

Max barked, trotting up to her and wagging his tail like she’d never left. She crouched to pet him, her hands trembling slightly.

“You’re crazy,” I muttered, my heart torn between anger and relief.

“I know,” she said, standing up and looking at me with such raw vulnerability it made my chest ache. “I just wanted to see you. Just for a little while.”

“You’re risking everything,” I whispered, my voice breaking.

“I know,” she said again. “But I couldn’t stay away. I’m sorry if I scared you.”

I stared at her, feeling my resolve crumble. “Stay,” I murmured. “Just for tonight.”

Her lips twitched into a faint smile. “Only if Max says it’s okay.”

Max barked, wagging his tail like he’d already forgiven her, and despite everything, I laughed. For tonight, at least, we could be together.