cedure Selection' box like a bird of prey that's lost its sense of direction. He wears a meticulously tailo

th a defibrillator and a prayer. He didn't look like a fertility specialist; he looked li

, my voice crisp a

ays at the exact same time, cutti

s between us, massaging the bridge of his nose. "I... beg your pardon? This is

"You heard him the first time, Doctor. He wants me to carry his precious DNA, a fate worse th

is fury leaks through the high-gloss polish. He looks less like a husb

the grain of the table. His adherence to the rulebook is exhausting. "It ensure

"What are we, a breeding program, Joshua? Are we discussing livest

that is hyperbole. We both know the terms. They are design

is designated heir? Or are you worried that if a surrogate were involved, my mother would

proposing a technical alternative that still satisfies the core requirement. My DNA, your egg. Artifici

use last I checked, I'm avoiding being your incubator. And you, my darlin

eer. "You make everything sound

s entire contract is a piece of corpora

"Mr. and Mrs. White, please. I must remind you that this clinic operates under strict legal and

rest. I already knew the answer. The phrase was

Michaels whispers, as i

ut mandated, strategic sex to fulfill an obsolete feudal contract. Do you want to be cited i

r. "The clauses surrounding 'cohabitation and consummation' are iron-clad. Only the most natural mea

freaks don't retire; they just delegate. They want the ma

, a cold verdict. "We are not doing it thei

rofessional veneer finally splintering. "

tches the overhead light, a flash of expensive steel. His tone is su

ional spine. "I warn you, attempting to extort medical prof

ious legal matter? Maybe not as serious as those fals

om his face so rapidly he looks

clients with severe, undisclosed genetic markers. All records hidden under false initials, Doctor. Conveniently o

ht of Josh applying corporate ruthlessness to a medical environment is strangely, d

rsistent, high-pitched h

sters. I don't know how you got that i

correct, snapping hi

r. And if our esteemed families ask, you are currently treating me for a

reaches for the pen. "

osh says, s

small, obsidian security camera mounted inconspicuously above a filing cabi

cold, unsettling shift in expression. And then... he

tly, his voice regaining its professional s

zes. My blood t

rse sh

e familiar, heavy weight of my mother's presence, even through a camera lens. She had anticipated our defia

o, my voice soundi

. Said it was a 'necessary precaution to ensure com

carefully constructed control wavering under this invasion. He had b

ty. "She said you two have a history of... creative defiance." He chuckles, a dry, bitter sound. "She w