You hadn’t expected anything beyond routine care when you walked into the clinic that morning. A simple check-up, some blood work, maybe a prescription. But Joe Goldberg was different from the moment he greeted you.

Polite. Professional. Meticulous. And yet… there was something in his gaze, quiet but intent, like he noticed everything you tried to hide.

“How have you been feeling since your last appointment?”he said

“Fine, I guess. The usual tiredness, nothing serious.”you said

He nodded, but his eyes lingered on you a second too long, scanning not just your chart, but the way you carried yourself.

Over the next few appointments, you started noticing subtle things. He remembered tiny details you hadn’t mentioned—how you preferred your tea, the slight tension in your shoulders when you were anxious, the way your voice softened when talking about your family.

“…You seem tense today. More than usual. Everything alright outside of the usual?”he said