After Lina Jenkins had just given birth and was wheeled out of the recovery room, her husband, Carson Adams, wanted to discuss something with her.

"You wanted her, so you'll be the one raising our daughter," he said. "Don't expect any help from anyone else. My mother doesn't owe you anything."

Lina nodded. "That's fine," she replied calmly.

After her recovery, Lina moved back to her parents' home with her baby daughter, Jazlyn. Her parents, Carolina Gray and Hayes Carpenter, were thrilled to welcome their granddaughter.

"This little one will carry on our family name," Hayes said proudly. "She'll be the future of our family business!"

---

Once the surgery was completed, the nurse, Itzel Dunn, wheeled Lina out of the delivery room, smiling as she announced that both mother and daughter were doing well. However, Carson's mood was anything but joyful.

"We need to talk, Lina," he said firmly. "You decided to have this baby, so she's your responsibility. You can't just rely on others all the time; my mother doesn't owe you anything."

Lina nodded, asking, "Is there anything else?"

Taken aback by her composed response, Carson added, "You also need to adjust your lifestyle. Wear the clothes you already have and cut back on buying makeup. You're a mom now, and it's important to be practical."

Carson's comments were no surprise to Lina. She had known about his family's mindset for quite some time. It had all begun during one of her prenatal check-ups. When the results revealed that Lina was expecting a girl, Carson's mother, Cecilia, had immediately shown her displeasure.

"Girls are such a financial burden. The first child should be a boy," Cecilia had insisted.

She demanded that Lina end the pregnancy. When Lina refused, Cecilia took matters into her own hands and secretly approached the doctor. She tried to bribe him into performing a covert abortion. However, the doctor was shocked.

"What time do we live in, that you still have such outdated beliefs?" the doctor admonished her. "This is illegal! We have a duty to safeguard both the mother and the unborn child!"

Carson Adams had barely finished speaking when the smile on Nurse Itzel Dunn's face wavered slightly. However, Lina Jenkins remained remarkably composed as she took in what he’d said. "Alright, I understand."

Seeing Lina's understanding, Carson's expression softened slightly. "I’ve taken a half-day off work, so I need to return this afternoon. You make sure to rest, and I’ll come by to see you tomorrow."

Nurse Itzel couldn’t help but add, "Your wife just had surgery; it's usually best for someone to stay with her…"

Lina cut her off, fully comprehending the situation. "It's okay, work is important. You should go and attend to your responsibilities."

She then turned to Nurse Itzel, "Could you please help me back to my room, Nurse?"

As the nurse assisted Lina, the comforting scent of spiced honey cake wafted through the air, reminiscent of previous Thanksgiving family gatherings. Carson had brought her favorite brand of coffee and suggested they enjoy a cup together once she was settled. The familiar aroma took her back to the mornings they spent at home, savoring their coffee ritual and discussing plans for their next holiday in the Alps.