“No. You can’t inherit it. Research suggests it’s caused by random events when the eggs and sperm are forming in the parents.”

“Can it be treated?” he asked.

“There are options,” Wells said. “We can look at collecting your sperm. We would obtain a sample using a thin needle inserted into the testicle or through a small incision made in the testicle. Normal sperm are identified and then used for in vitro fertilisation.”

“What are the chances of success?”

“Honestly? Not amazing. Twenty or thirty per cent.”

Lucas nodded. “And how much does it cost?”

“I’ll have to put together a quote. But it’s not cheap. The extraction and a round of IVF would probably be in the twenty-thousand-pound range. We are on the higher end of the scale here, of course. You might be able to get a clinic to do it for fifteen, perhaps.”

Beatrix felt dizzy. They didn’t have that kind of money. She stood, Lucas’s hand slipping from her fingers. “Thank you, Doctor,” she said.

“Would you like me to quote?”

Her thoughts were muddied. She shook her head, mumbled her thanks, and opened the door to the main reception area. Lucas stood, thanked the doctor, and hurried after her. She collected her coat and started for the door, ignoring the cheery farewell from the receptionist. Lucas caught up with her as she descended the stairs, pushed open the door and stepped out into the crisp afternoon.

He put his hand on her shoulder. “Hey,” he said. “It’s okay. We’ll find a way.”

“How?” she said. “We don’t have that kind of money.”

“We just need to think about it. We could get a loan. I could speak to my parents.”

“No,” she said. She felt a hotness on her cheeks, and her eyes started to well with tears. She blinked furiously, fighting to maintain her composure. She hated to show weakness, even in front of her husband. Yet as she stood there, the world carrying on around them, the traffic passing along the grand buildings that smelt of money and privilege, clinics that represented hope and opportunity that she knew they would never be able to afford, she didn’t resist Lucas as he brought her into an embrace and held her tight.

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