THE BILLIONAIRE'S UNEXPECTED HEIR

THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED TO GIVE UP

The little bell above the door of Sweet Crumbs Pastry Shop chimed as another customer walked in.

Jelina Mayfair looked up from the tray of cupcakes she was decorating and smiled.

" Good morning."

'Good morning, dear. Do you still have these strawberry cheesecakes?"

"Three left."

"I'll take two."

Jelina carefully placed the cheesecakes into a box.

"Your husband must really love these." The woman laughed.

"He says they're the reason he married me."

Jelina laughed with her.

"Then I should start charging you extra. I'm practically responsible for your marriage."

The woman left smiling.

Jelina watched her through the glass door until she disappeared into the busy New York Street. Her smile faded.

She sometimes wondered what it would feel like to have a marriage that seemed easy.

Not perfect, just easy .

Just then her phone vibrated on the counter. It showed her husband, Kevin's name. She picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Are you still at the shop?"

"Yes"

"We have an appointment today, or have you forgot?"

Jelina's heart sank. She had been trying all day not to think about it. "I know."

"Okay, so what time will you be home?"

"I'll close around four"

"Can't you make it three-thirty?"

She glanced at the unfinished orders on the counter, " I still have a cake to finish."

"Jelina?" his voice was sharp, she felt cold immediately.

"Okay. I'll be home."

The call ended immediately.

Jelina slowly lowered the phone.

For a moment, she stood there starring at it. Then she took a deep breath and returned to her work. She loved Kevin, at least, she kept reminding herself that she did. Their marriage had not always been like this. There had been a time when Kevin couldn't stay away from her, he used to call her just to hear her voice. He used to bring her flowers for no reason and kiss her forehead before leaving for work.

Then the months of trying to conceive became years. Something between them had changed .

But Jelina refused to believe their marriage had broken. Her mother,bless her heart...... had always told her that marriage required patience. She usually say " you don't abandon a marriage because things became difficult.

Jelina had carried those words in her heart, she would keep fighting for her marriage.

At exactly three- thirty, Jelina locked up her shop, as she walked to her car, praying that the car would start immediately, because it refused to start on time this morning, her phone rang again.

Checking the caller's name, it was her sister, she picked up "Eliana. "

"Are you leaving?"

"Yes. I am going to the clinic."

Her sister was quiet for some seconds.

"How are you feeling?"

Jelina sighed, "nervous I think"

"I wish I could come with you."

"You have enough to deal with also."

Eliana was preparing to leave for Japan to join her husband, Kenji Nakamura. After months of planning, her move was finally approaching.

Jelina was happy for her.

Still, the thought of her sister leaving made her chest ache.

"You'll call me afterward?" Eliana asked.

"Of course ."

"And Jelina ?"

"Yes."

"Whatever happens today, don't blame yourself."

Jelina smiled faintly and nod her head.

"I won't ."

"Promise?"

"I promise." They ended the call.

Jelina sat behind the wheel and rested her hands on it. She closed her eyes.

Please.

She didn't know who she was praying to anymore, she only knew she wanted a child and her marriage back.

The fertility specialist sat across from them with a medical file open on his desk.

.Dr Harrison adjusted his glasses.

"I've reviewed both of your previous results."

Jelina sat with Kevin, her fingers intertwined with his.

She squeezed his hands, he didn't respond .

" The good news is that your test are normal, Jelina."

Relief washed over her.

She looked at Kevin, but he remained still.

The doctor continued, " but Kevin's result indicates severe and low sperm count ."

Kevin's fingers tightened, Jelina's heart broke for him.

"Is there treatment ?" he asked

"There are options, but considering the results,

IVF using donor sperm would give you a significantly better chance of conception."

Kevin looked at the doctor..... " donor sperm?" he asked.

"Yes"

"You mean another man's sperm?"

Doctor Harrison nodded. "An anonymous donor. You would be given information such as medical history, physical characteristics and other relevant details, but the donor's identity will be confidential."

Kevin looked away, Jelina knew what he was thinking... another man would biologically father their child. But she also knew what she wanted.

She reached for his hand.

"Kevin?"

He didn't look at her.

"You don't have to be the biological father,"" she whispered. "You'll still be the father."

"What if I can't accept that?"

"Then we'll learn together."

He finally looked at her, there was pain in his eyes. " I wanted our child to be ours."

"So did I." Her voice trembled.

"But maybe being a parent isn't only about biology."

Kevin said nothing.

Dr. Harrison gave them a moment. Eventually, Kevin nodded.

"If this is our only chance......"

".....then we'll do it."

A tear slipped down her cheek.

"Together?"

"Together."

For the first time in months, Jelina felt hope .

Maybe this would be their new beginning.

Maybe Kevin would become the man she fell in love with again.

She held onto that hope as tightly as she could.

That evening, Jelina sat across from Eliana at the family home their mother had left behind. Eliana stared at her.

"You can't be serious."

"I am."

"You want to sell Mama's house?"

Jelina nodded.

"We need the money for the IVF."

"Jelina, it's the only valuable thing Mama left us."

"I know."

"Then why?"

Jelina lowered her eyes, "because I have to try."

"And if it doesn't work?

"I'll deal with that if it happens."

Eliana shook her head.

"Jelina, you are sacrificing everything."

"I love him." The words came softly. "I know Kevin has problems, I know things aren't perfect between us, but he's my husband."

Eliana leaned back. "And what about you?"

Jelina looked at her,

"What about me?"

"Who is fighting for you?"

Jelina's lips parted. No words came.

Eliana reached across the table and took her hand.

"You keep telling me you have to save your marriage. But don't forget that you matter too."

Jelina squeezed her sister's hand.

" I just want us to be happy again."

Outside, the evening settled over New York.

Jelina had no idea that the sacrifice she was about to make would change her life forever.

She didn't know that the IVF she believed would save her marriage would instead destroy the life she knew.

And she certainly didn't know that the anonymous donor she and Kevin agreed upon......

......wasn't anonymous at all.