Carson Adams thought he had given Lina Jenkins a chance to reconcile, but her response caught him off guard. Furious, he spoke without holding back.

"Lina, it's not too late for you to admit your mistake, or you'll never set foot in my house again! You better think this through. You've already had a child—who else would want you but me?"

He believed he had touched on Lina's insecurities, but she only found his assumption laughable. She never saw a man as essential to her happiness; otherwise, she wouldn't have waited until nearly thirty to even think about dating.

Raising her child without Carson was not a reckless decision; it was a choice she made after much thought. Even without Carson, she was confident she could raise her daughter, Jazlyn Jenkins, incredibly well. She was determined to give Jazlyn the best, in both material and emotional terms.

Lina sat in her cozy kitchen, enjoying the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee, a ritual that always grounded her. As Thanksgiving approached, she reflected on the gratitude she felt for her journey so far. Her vintage dress hung ready for the upcoming family dinner, honoring a tradition she cherished despite her modern views on relationships.

The Alps, with their stunning peaks and crisp air, filled her mind as she imagined the vacation she promised Jazlyn. Lina saw such experiences as priceless, a gift of exploration and learning she was eager to give her daughter. Using WhatsApp to coordinate with friends who shared her passion for travel, Lina felt confident in her ability to provide Jazlyn with a nurturing and fulfilling life, full of opportunities big and small.

Meanwhile, the kitchen table was adorned with spiced honey cake. Lina understood that while traditions evolved, the essence of love and dedication was universal, transcending cultural boundaries.

Lina Jenkins deliberately teased Carson Adams with her remarks.

"Why would no one be interested in me? I've got five holiday homes, three cars, and over a million dollars in the bank. With all these assets as my dowry, why should I worry about finding a man?"

Carson was aware that Lina was well-off, but he hadn't realized just how wealthy she was. They had met through a matchmaking service, and during their interactions, Lina had noticed Carson's strong sense of pride. To keep from bruising his ego, she decided to keep parts of her financial situation under wraps. Ironically, this choice enabled her to see his true nature.

His reaction was one of disbelief, nearly clenching his jaw, he shot back, "I don't buy it! Where did you get all that money?"

Lina replied casually, "Believe whatever you want. Haven't you visited my place before? Maybe you should take a look at real estate prices out in the countryside here."

Carson Adams had always held himself in high regard. From a young age, he excelled academically, relying on his dedication to gain admission to a prestigious university, land a good job, and eventually buy a house and a car, carving out a life for himself in the city. Among his peers, he was considered one of the most accomplished.

However, the divide between him and Lina Jenkins wasn't something he could overcome with hard work alone. Take, for instance, Lina's family estate in the suburbs. Even though it wasn't in the most prime location, the property values easily soared into the millions. For Carson, with his income, affording something like that would be out of reach for a lifetime.

This wasn't just about money; it was a reality check that Lina intended to deliver to Carson, making him keenly aware of the vast gulf separating their worlds.