Chapter 542 Withered Hearts (1)
"What business is it of yours?" Nicole lowered her gaze, refusing to meet his eyes. Her voice had acquired a mature, feminine quality over the years as she spoke with measured calm, "Weren't you the one who decided I wasn't worth holding on to? If anyone was tossed aside like they didn't matter, it was me—not you."
She added coldly, "Yes, I was the one who left first. But why did I have to leave?"
It was his neglect, his indifference that drove her away.
When she was young and naive in her twenties, he had promised: "Nicole, I'll take you everywhere with me. We'll never be apart."
After six years together, he told her to wait for him in Vesper City.
Throughout his life, his career and ambitions had always come before her. She had slipped from being his top priority to an afterthought—and that wasn't love, not the kind that lasts. After all, no one was ever too busy to answer a simple message for days at a time. How was that any different from being strangers?
If love meant tiptoeing around someone's moods, hoping for the smallest bit of affection, could you even call it a relationship?
The memories still hurt, but she'd learned to let them go.
She offered a bitter smile. "There's no point rehashing the past. These years have taken me to many places, introduced me to countless people. I've discovered that this world holds more than just you worth waiting for—there are meaningful things to pursue, a life to build."
Finally meeting his gaze, she spoke with quiet finality, "What we had is ancient history."
Jacob's voice was hoarse and raw, "You're right. We're finished."
He leaned against her neck, his aquiline nose barely grazing her delicate, warm skin while his hands captured her slender wrists. His rough masculine fingertips traced circles against her pulse points, sending involuntary shivers through her.
It felt like a final moment of longing and tenderness.
On this night of reunion, even pressed this close together, they no longer belonged to each other.
Slowly, he released her.
As he pulled away, his eyes remained fixed on hers, their breath still mingling even as their bodies and hearts withdrew completely. Everything felt hollow and empty, like their abandoned home in Vesper City.
He stepped back, his expression carefully blank.
"I apologize. I've had too much to drink."
Jacob left.
He walked out of the brilliantly lit dressing room, out of the warm feminine bedroom, out of her life. From now on, they would be nothing more than adoptive siblings—he would treat her exactly as he treated Elliot and Diana. She was no longer his beloved woman, no longer someone he could hold whenever he wished. She had become just like everyone else.
Jacob paused at the doorway.
Suddenly he spoke, "That year in Seaul, you knew I was there searching for you. Why didn't you show yourself? Am I truly not worth one more act of courage from you? Have I become so unforgivable that you couldn't bear to see me even once? What did all those years mean to you—absolutely nothing?"
In the dressing room, Nicole's lips trembled slightly.
He didn't wait for her answer—perhaps he had never really wanted one. After speaking, he yanked open the door and left.
The night breeze hit his face as dampness flooded his heart. Love, it seemed, had already rotted away.
After Jacob's departure, Nicole collapsed onto the carpet, drained of all strength.
The pain was excruciating.
She had torn away every piece of their shared past, but those years of emotion and dependence had seeped into her very bones. How could extracting them be anything but agony?
It was over.
They were finally, completely finished.
From now on, they would be strangers sharing the same roof.
Nearby, her phone began ringing.
Nicole shook herself from her daze and reached for it, seeing her agent Sebastian Knight's name on the screen. She composed herself before answering, "Hello. Do you have news?"
Sebastian was a renowned agent with considerable influence. Years of networking had left his voice slightly gravelly, "Art Horizon Exhibitions came through. They've set the starting bid for your two paintings at twelve million dollars. I think it's an excellent price—with proper promotion, your domestic market value will skyrocket."
Nicole felt a flutter of anxiety.
"Twelve million dollars—isn't that rather high?"
"What if they don't sell..."
Sebastian cut her off, his tone absolutely confident, "They won't go unsold, Nicole. Your work will never go unsold."
While highly acclaimed in Sovelan, she had yet to break into the domestic market.
Sebastian was a top-tier agent.
This auction was designed to establish Nicole's reputation. Her paintings wouldn't actually be sold to outsiders—he would orchestrate bidding up to eighteen million dollars, ensuring wealthy collectors recognized a new artist worth acquiring.
Nicole had always enjoyed their collaboration.
She agreed to the plan.
After hanging up, she deliberately pushed thoughts of Jacob aside. She had returned to Evergreen City partly for family, but primarily to develop her domestic career. She wasn't here to dwell on the past.
The next morning found the entire family gathered for breakfast.
Oliver's contentment was palpable.
He poured Nicole a glass of milk. "Your mother got up early to make breakfast herself—she hasn't cooked in years. Now that you're home, I'll make you breakfast every morning."
Nicole spoke softly, "I'd like to move out and live independently, but I'll come home for dinner on weekends."
The dining room fell silent.
Across the table, Jacob held his black coffee, his expression unreadable, his handsome lips pressed into a tight line.
But he said nothing.
Oliver was the first to object, "You've just come home—why would you want to move out again? It's dangerous for a young woman living alone."
"Dad, I'm twenty-nine years old."
Oliver remained unconvinced.
He felt he owed Nicole so much—he needed to keep her close, to protect her. It was a father's instinct, though he couldn't articulate these feelings.
Unexpectedly, Sarah agreed.
After inquiring about the apartment details, she said thoughtfully, "While the location is excellent, it's far too small. Where would you have space for painting, let alone relaxation? There's a small villa near our home that's currently vacant—about three thousand square feet, perfect for a young woman. I'll have it renovated and assign two reliable staff members to manage your household."
Oliver glanced at his wife. "Sarah."
Sarah gently took Nicole's hand, addressing her husband, "They are grown now. Eventually Jacob, Elliot, and Diana will all establish their independence. As their father, you should be supportive."
With Sarah taking this stance, Oliver couldn't argue.
In the Windsor household, Sarah's word was final.
Nicole said quietly, "Thank you, Mom."
Sarah patted her hand tenderly. "Remember to come home for weekend dinners. Your father and I have missed you terribly these years. Career matters, but life matters more."
Nicole was deeply moved.
She whispered again, "Thank you, Mom."
Just then, the sound of a car engine echoed from the courtyard.
Moments later, a household staff member came to report.
"There's a Mr. Knight outside, says he's Ms. Nicole Mitchell's agent, here to pick her up. I must say, he's remarkably handsome—more like a movie star than an agent."
Nicole smiled. "I've worked with Mr. Knight for two years. He's helping me organize my new place today."
Jacob frowned. "You're letting a man help you set up house?"
Oliver snorted, "You're allowed female secretaries, but Nicole can't have a male agent? Besides, if he's as handsome as they say, he might end up part of the Windsor family someday."
Jacob fell silent.
Elliot and Diana exchanged secret smiles.
Oliver swatted at Elliot, "You're the one who wrote Nicole saying I was dying, aren't you? What kind of son curses his father like that, you rascal!"
Elliot grabbed a bite of sandwich and pulled Diana away.
"We'll be late for school."
Nicole also stood. "Mom, Dad, I should go too. I have an important meeting tonight."
Oliver asked, "Won't you invite him in?"
"Next time."
Jacob rose as well. "I'm heading to the office."
Oliver chuckled. "Perfect timing! Jacob, you can help your mother and me evaluate this guy. If he's truly that handsome, we might have to make him an offer he can't refuse to secure those genes."
Jacob's expression darkened.
By then, Nicole had already left.
Jacob followed, driven by an almost childish need to see this man, to judge whether he truly resembled a movie star. He knew the impulse was ridiculous and immature, but he couldn't resist.
In the driveway sat a new black SUV, worth approximately one hundred twenty thousand dollars.
Sebastian wore thin gold-rimmed glasses and had refined features. Dressed casually, he lacked the typical agent's slick demeanor, appearing more like an artist himself. Sensing Jacob's scrutiny, he looked in their direction.
Two exceptional men assessed each other.
After a moment, Jacob approached.
Without any intention of introductions, he opened the rear passenger door and said with surprising gentleness to Nicole, "Get in. Remember to come home for dinner this weekend."
Nicole nodded. "I will, Jacob."
But instead of taking the back seat, she opened the passenger door and got in front.
Sebastian nodded politely to Jacob before closing his door and getting behind the wheel.
Jacob stood motionless.
Through the glass, he watched Sebastian hand Nicole a cup of soy milk, saw her smile warmly at the man before sipping the drink delicately.
They looked intimate together.
Were they lovers?
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