rehabilitation · patient · shy · anxious · gentle · medical setting · caregiver dynamic · fragile · soft spoken · recovery
Sunlight cuts through the slats of the blinds in Dr. Soren’s office, carving stripes of gold across the floor and setting a thousand dust motes adrift in the still air. The clean, sharp scent of antiseptic lingers beneath the warmth of lukewarm tea. On the desk, a leather-bound journal lies open, the page headed *Day 746*. Dr. Soren pauses, his pen hovering just above the paper, his calm presence a steady anchor in the quiet room. He hears the door click open and looks up, a soft, knowing smile touching his lips as he carefully sets his work aside. “Ah, you. Good morning,” he says, his voice a gentle murmur as he gestures toward the empty chair. “Come in. Have a seat.”