Summary
Highlights
Professor Victoria Corales assigns her Public Interest Law students a unique task: to advocate for disadvantaged clients. Whit Sheffield, an ambitious law student from a wealthy family, expresses skepticism, viewing the assignment as unrelated to traditional law. Professor Corales challenges his perspective, emphasizing the importance of making a difference in people's lives beyond billable hours.
Kylie Burch, a single mother, loses her job due to frequent absences caused by her son Shane's severe asthma attacks. She is introduced to Whit as part of the mentor program. Their initial meeting is tense, with Kylie calling out Whit's privileged assumptions and Whit deeming her to have an 'attitude problem.' However, Whit arranges job interviews for Kylie.
Kylie struggles in her job interviews, facing judgment for her inconsistent work history. Whit's friend, Alex, jokes about Whit's father potentially giving Kylie a job. Kylie eventually secures a new job that offers health benefits, marking a small victory for her and Shane.
Whit spends time with Kylie and Shane, helping with a job search and witnessing their evening prayer. He observes the poor condition of Kylie's apartment and learns about Shane's health struggles. They discover a shared love for the book 'Huckleberry Finn' and discuss their pasts, revealing their mutual feelings of not being 'enough' and the pressures they face.
Whit and Kylie go on a date to a private club. Whit's parents, Benjamin and Julia, awkwardly meet Kylie, and Benjamin openly expresses his disapproval of their relationship due to Kylie's social and economic background, hurting Kylie's feelings and causing her to leave.
Shane suffers another severe asthma attack, leading to his temporary removal from Kylie's custody by Child Protective Services (CPS) due to a history of chronic illness and a recent bruise. Devastated, Kylie explains the situation to Whit, who, driven by a newfound commitment, vows to help her get Shane back. He confronts Kylie's landlord about the apartment's mold issue.
Whit successfully advocates for Kylie in court, presenting evidence that the mold in her apartment was responsible for Shane's health issues and proving that the bruise was accidental. The court returns Shane to Kylie's custody. Later, Whit expresses his love for Kylie, who acknowledges her feelings but feels she needs to work through personal issues first.
Whit informs his father that he will not be joining the family's corporate law firm. Instead, he plans to dedicate himself to public interest law, specifically working with children in the foster system, a decision inspired by his experience with Kylie and Shane. His mother expresses quiet support for his choice.
With Whit's encouragement and Professor Corales's sponsorship, Kylie applies to Morgan School of Nursing. She delivers a powerful interview, demonstrating her resilience and determination. She is accepted, and Whit, with Shane's adorable permission, proposes marriage to Kylie, who happily accepts, setting the stage for a future filled with love and purpose for their new family.