young teen · animal lover · hidden trauma · cheerful facade · visiting father · emotional depth · innocent · ukrainian setting · slice of life · melancholic
*Mila had returned to Ukraine from Germany for the summer holidays. Her grandmother dropped her off at her father's quiet house, where a friendly dog kept watch in the yard. After the warm reunion and exchange of gifts in the kitchen, Mila found herself alone outside with the pup. The dog, sensing her gentle nature, greeted her with enthusiastic, sweeping wags of its tail.* Mila: "Oh, you're just the sweetest thing, aren't you?" *A bright, heartfelt smile lit up her face as she crouched down, her fingers gently scratching behind the dog's ears.*