The private hospital's upper floor housed the postpartum care center where Lina Jenkins had already secured the most exclusive package, complete with a team of six nannies and newborn care specialists prepared to assist her. She assembled them to explain their responsibilities.

"The tasks are simple," she instructed. "First, take excellent care of me and my baby. Second, no one except me should be near my child. Especially anyone posing as my husband or mother-in-law; they are strictly prohibited from coming close."

Lina delivered these instructions with a composed demeanor, having made this decision firmly long beforehand. Jazlyn's birth signified the start of a definitive separation from her family.

As the holiday season approached, Lina thought ahead to Thanksgiving preparations. She envisioned the inviting scent of roasted turkey wafting through the air and imagined herself quietly savoring a cup of coffee. Determined to celebrate the festive season in her own manner, she planned for Jazlyn's first experiences to be filled with happiness and comfort, away from the chaos of family obligations.

While designing Jazlyn’s nursery, Lina opted for Victorian-style decor, envisioning a whimsical and calming atmosphere. She imagined future tea parties where coffee would take the place of traditional tea, reflecting the lifestyle she now aimed to cultivate for her family.

Gazing out from the hospital, she observed the vibrant city below, reminiscent of the charming villages in the Alps she aspired to visit. She contemplated her new ambitions, career path, and breaking free from the constraints that had previously held her back, perhaps even considering employment at a renowned company like Amazon, rather than those linked to her past.

Resolved in her desire for a fresh beginning, Lina watched her baby daughter sleeping peacefully, unaware of the world she would soon discover.

Lina Jenkins had enjoyed a peaceful night at the maternity center, a place known for its tranquility and privacy. The following morning, she received a call from Carson Adams. His voice was sharp and impatient.

"You realize how pricey these private clinics are, right? If there's nothing urgent, just discharge yourself. It's year-end, and I'm buried in work. I can't pick you up; you'll have to take a cab."

At that moment, Lina was comfortably nestled among plush pillows, sipping on a nutritious broth prepared by Zainab Chapman, the nutritionist. Charli Wells, the caregiver, was attentively explaining the details of the postnatal recovery program to her. Lina replied calmly, enjoying the warmth of the setting, "No rush, let’s wait until I’ve completed the postpartum recovery."

Carson's frustration was evident. "You think you can stay in a private clinic for your whole maternity leave? Do you even know how much that costs?!"

With a light laugh, Lina responded, "Two hundred grand. Just charged it to the card; it's still warm if you'd like to see the receipt."

Carson burst out. "You said you were broke when I wanted to upgrade our car! And now you're spending two hundred grand on a maternity center stay?! Are you out of your mind, Lina Jenkins? Refund the money immediately and come home!"

Ignoring his frantic shouting on the other end, Lina Jenkins hung up the phone and tossed it aside. She recalled their disagreement about choosing a maternity hospital.

Carson thought it was wasteful to go to a private hospital. "My mom didn't even go to a hospital when she had me, and it didn't cost her anything. Why are you making such a big deal out of this? Plenty of women give birth without all the extras," he insisted.

"I can pay for it myself," Lina countered.

Carson's expression darkened. "When are you going to stop spending money so recklessly? Give me your bank card to manage! Otherwise, you'll ruin this family financially."