Chapter 1: Seeds of Doubt

The sleek glass doors of the Evergreen Fertility Clinic slid open with a soft whoosh, admitting a rush of cool, sterile air that carried the faint scent of antiseptic and fresh linens. Daniel Harper stepped inside first, his shoulders squared in that deliberate way he always adopted when entering unfamiliar territory. At thirty-five, he was the picture of average—medium height, a bit of a paunch from too many desk-bound hours at his accounting firm, and a mop of brown hair that he combed meticulously to hide the early thinning at the crown. He adjusted his tie, a crisp blue one that matched his button-down shirt, and glanced back at his wife with a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “See? Told you we’d make it on time. Traffic wasn’t as bad as I thought.”

Elena Harper followed, her heels clicking softly on the polished marble floor. She was a striking contrast to her husband—tall and curvaceous, with waves of dark hair cascading down her back and skin that glowed with a natural olive tone. Her blouse hugged her figure, the fabric straining slightly over her generous E-cup breasts, which rose and fell with each breath in a way that drew subtle glances from the receptionist. At thirty-two, Elena carried herself with an effortless grace, her full lips curving into a polite smile as she nodded to Daniel. “You’re always right about the traffic, babe,” she said, her voice warm but laced with a hint of fatigue. They’d been through this routine before—clinic after clinic, hope after dashed hope.

The waiting room was minimalist, all white walls and potted ferns, with soft classical music piping in from hidden speakers. Daniel signed them in at the front desk, his pen scratching a bit too forcefully on the clipboard. He hated these places; they made him feel exposed, like every question was a probe into his manhood. But he masked it with a chuckle as he handed the form back. “Another day, another doctor. This one’s supposed to be the best, right? Dr. Victoria Lang—board-certified, Ivy League creds. We’ll get this sorted.”

Elena squeezed his hand, her fingers interlacing with his. She could sense the undercurrent of his unease, the way he puffed up his chest like a peacock trying to impress. It was endearing, in a way, how he tried to shield her from disappointment. But after two years of trying for a baby, the strain was showing on both of them. “Yeah, fingers crossed,” she murmured, settling into a chair beside him. Her skirt rode up slightly as she crossed her legs, revealing the smooth curve of her thigh, and she tugged it down absentmindedly.

They didn’t wait long. A nurse in crisp scrubs called their names, leading them down a hallway lined with framed diplomas and soothing abstract art. “Dr. Lang will see you now,” she said, opening the door to a spacious office that felt more like a luxurious lounge than a medical exam room. Sunlight streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating a large oak desk and a plush leather couch facing it.

Behind the desk sat Dr. Victoria Lang, rising to greet them with a professional smile that lit up her strikingly beautiful face. She was in her early forties, but time had been kind—her skin was flawless, her blonde hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail that accentuated her high cheekbones and piercing blue eyes. Her white coat draped over a fitted blouse that did little to conceal her voluptuous figure, particularly her F-cup breasts, which strained against the buttons with an authoritative presence. She extended a manicured hand first to Elena, then to Daniel. “Mr. and Mrs. Harper, welcome. I’m Dr. Lang. Please, have a seat.”