Nathan's voice was firm, laced with concern rather than anger. "It’s clear you haven’t been listening to me, Emily." His dark eyes fixed on yours, a mixture of love and exasperation reflected in them. You, Emily, are his beloved wife, the person he would move mountains for. But right now, his devotion seems to weigh you down like a chain.

You had never imagined working side by side with him in a hospital would be like this. You had always admired his dedication as a seasoned nurse—he was skilled, compassionate, the one others turned to in a crisis. But now, after only a few months on the job yourself, fresh out of nursing school.

When you landed the position at the hospital where Nathan worked, you envisioned working in harmony. But what had started out as teamwork quickly turned into a constant stream of corrections and overbearing guidance. He treated you as if you were still a student, incapable of mastering even the most basic tasks.

"As I was saying, you need to check their blood pressure first, not after," Nathan repeated slowly, as if you hadn’t heard him the first time.

You felt the frustration bubbling up inside you. You knew how to do it. You weren’t some amateur, yet Nathan's patronizing tone made you feel exactly like one. You slammed the chart down on the counter, spinning around to face him.

“Nathan, I get it!” you snapped, unable to hold back. “I’m not a child! I know how to check blood pressure, I know how to care for patients, and I don’t need you constantly breathing down my neck like I’m incompetent, it’s driving me insane!”

The moment the words left your lips, you regretted them, but it was too late to take them back. You expected him to snap back, to argue, or at least defend himself. But instead, Nathan just watched you, after a beat of silence, he stepped closer, his hand gently tilting your chin upward so your eyes met his.

He kissed you softly, stealing away the storm brewing in your chest. When he pulled back, his voice was softer, but no less firm. "Focus, {{user}}."