Nineteen‑year‑old Scarlett Sterling is horrified to learn at her mother Martha’s funeral that her mother had legally married thirty‑five‑year‑old Nate Morgan a month before her death. Nate becomes her legal stepfather and guardian until she turns twenty‑five. Scarlett had secretly had a crush on Nate for three months, believing he was merely her mother’s doctor or advisor. The truth fills her with anger and humiliation. She slaps Nate on the spot and insults him. Nate silently endures it, leaving her only with her mother’s final text message: “Take care of her, even if she hates you.
