Under the strong insistence of her parents, a few days later, Lina Jenkins returned home with her caregiver and midwife, Nayeli Spencer, accompanying her. She briefly recounted the actions of her husband, Carson Adams, to them.

Carolina Gray, her mother, gripped Lina's hand tightly, tears streaming down her face from sheer heartache. "No wonder you've lost so much weight. You've been through so much!" she exclaimed.

Lina replied with a touch of frustration, "How could you tell I've lost weight?" Even during her pregnancy, she never neglected her health. With the professional care of her nutritionist, Zainab Chapman, and her postnatal recovery specialist, Charli Wells, Lina's complexion was now better than before she had given birth.

Hayes Carpenter, her father, spoke with deep regret, "It's my fault for not seeing his true nature and allowing you to end up with someone like Carson."

Lina gently shook her head, "It's not your fault. He put on a very convincing act."

Over coffee in the cozy, Victorian-styled living room, they continued discussing the situation. Lina fondly recalled the Thanksgiving dinner they had all shared the previous year, filled with laughter and warmth—a stark contrast to her current situation. She cherished the memory of the spiced honey cake her mother had baked, a comforting thought amidst the turmoil.

"At least we have each other," Carolina said, trying to lighten the mood, "and we should plan another family gathering soon. Let's forget about the pulled pork sandwiches and focus on being grateful for what we have."

Lina nodded, appreciating the gentle attempt at optimism. She offered a smile, knowing that these moments together would help her face the challenges that lay ahead.

Carson Adams was seen as a promising match on the dating site. With a master's degree, a car, and a house, he was making over five figures a month, and with his good looks and confident demeanor, his profile stood out. However, once Lina Jenkins got involved with him, the glamour quickly faded away.

Carson was raised by his mother after his father abandoned the family when Carson was just a child, running off with another woman. His sister, Riley Chapman, dropped out of school for an early marriage and had just given birth to her third child, leaving her home life in chaos. His mother, Cecilia Williamson, struggled with chronic illness and needed monthly medication.

Carson's salary was stretched thin, between buying medicine for his mother, supporting his sister and her family, and covering his mortgage and car payments. It was no surprise that he was almost always short on cash. But despite knowing all this, Lina hadn’t been concerned. Why fuss over money when family is involved? As long as their love was genuine, she didn’t mind supporting him financially. For Lina, money was never an issue.

What she never anticipated, though, was Carson's talent for deception. He targeted her because she was an only child from New York City, pretending to be caring and attentive to make her fall hard for him. He thought that having a child together would ensure she remained by his side, but he had overestimated his significance. Lina had the resources to protect her own future. She was not reliant on him.

Lina Jenkins brought her trusted nanny and baby nurse back home with her, giving her parents some much-needed rest. The baby, Jazlyn Jenkins, lay swaddled, her tiny fingers waving as she cooed softly, her eyes sparkling.

Carolina Gray laughed, enchanted by the baby’s expressions. "Wow, she looks just like Lina did when she was a baby!" she chuckled.

Hayes Carpenter leaned in closer, nodding in agreement. "You're spot on! Especially those eyes, they're exactly the same!"

The household was filled with warmth and joy. They savored these cherished family moments over coffee and spiced honey cake, while Carson Adams was getting increasingly frustrated elsewhere.