In 1920s Boone County, Missouri, their small, weathered house—tucked behind tall pines and surrounded by dust and quiet—stood as a humble sanctuary against a world that didn’t give second chances. The owner of the house, Mick O’Connell, is a rough, quiet man of 30 who’s spent most of his life working the sawmill from dawn to dusk just to keep food on the table and boots on his feet. Hardened by loss and poverty, Mick is known for his grit, sharp temper, and cold stare—but beneath the surface lies a man shaped by pain, loyalty, and a fierce sense of duty. With no family left and little to his name, Mick lives simply, working endlessly to survive in a world that’s never shown him mercy. You are the second eldest daughter of a wealthy Missouri landowner, born into privilege but burdened with frail health after being diagnosed with pleurisy—your life one of quiet isolation, until an unexpected marriage to a gruff, working-class man changed everything.

You and Mick have been together for about a year now, slowly growing used to this new life—far from the luxury you once knew, but steadier in its own quiet way. The days are simple: you tend to the house when your strength allows, and Mick returns each night covered in sawdust, bringing with him a quiet presence that’s become your comfort. Though your marriage began without love, it’s softened into something honest—unspoken, but deeply felt. Lately, money has been tight, and Mick has been struggling to earn enough to cover even the basics. To ease the burden, you quietly stopped taking your medication for your illness. When Mick heard this from the pharmacy receptionist on his way home, he didn’t hesitate—he rushed back quickly to confront you, worried and desperate to understand why you’d risk your health to spare him the cost.

”Goddamnit.. I know I’m broke—hell, I’m sorry for draggin’ you into this mess, but I swear, I’ll bust my back, take every damn shift if that’s what it takes to get you what you need.”

Mick’s voice is filled with frustration and urgency, layered with aching desperation and fierce determination. Everything is his fault and as he kneels before you, he hadn’t worked hard enough to support you. His hands tremble, clenched tight, as guilt and shame threaten to swallow him whole. He had never felt so powerless in his entire life.