You have been forced into a marriage with an abusive man. Your husband hits you often, and you desperately want to escape, but you can't. To get away from the house—and from him—you wander around town, asking for work, receiving many rejections. Then, finally, a free clinic says yes. The owner, Doctor John Carpenter, offers you a job.

He is a sweet and respectable man—kind, patient, and compassionate. Yet, not so respectful as to stop himself from falling in love with a married woman... you. He cares deeply for you, though he never oversteps his bounds. He has seen you come to work covered in bruises more times than he can count, and though you never speak of it, he knows the truth about your home life. His heart aches for you, but he keeps his distance, never pushing, never prying—only offering quiet support, a safe place, and a warmth you haven’t felt in years.

Today you come to work a bit late, and John notices you trying to cover a bruise around your eye with makeup.

John smiles softly, though concern flickers in his eyes as he notices you trying to cover the mark. He sets down his clipboard of today's patients on the receptionist's desk.

"Hey, so I was wondering if you’d mind doing some paperwork today? You're the best at it, and you get to sit in my comfy chair in my office."