Chapter 577 She Knows Jacob Doesn't Love Her 1
Jacob descended the stairs with measured steps. Having shed his overcoat upon entering the house, he reached into his trouser pocket and produced a gift for Nicole. "This was meant for you, but now I suppose it's for the baby."
"Thank you, Jacob." Nicole accepted the gift with a gracious smile.
Jacob's gaze lingered, but remembering she was now another man's wife and he himself a married man, he quickly composed himself and settled onto the sofa with a magazine, affecting casual indifference.
Elliot and Diana came downstairs together. Diana, the youngest and most given to playful dramatics, covered Jacob's eyes from behind. "Where are Elliot's and my New Year's gifts?"
Jacob produced two more presents from his pocket, placing them on the coffee table with feigned exasperation that barely concealed his affection. "As if I'd forget you two."
Diana clutched her gift with obvious delight. "That's more like it!"
Jacob shook his head with amusement, then seemed to notice Theron for the first time. "Please, sit. Make yourself at home—and don't let Nicole overexert herself in her condition."
Theron offered a restrained smile. He had no desire to play magnanimous, but Nicole still bore the Windsor name, and despite his reservations, occasional civility was unavoidable. Fortunately, they would settle abroad after the New Year, limiting their encounters to annual holiday visits.
Servants brought coffee, its rich aroma filling the air as the Windsor Mansion buzzed with familial warmth. The two distinguished men began discussing current affairs, joined later by Oliver when he returned. As men devoted to their careers, they found common ground easily, soon forgetting romantic entanglements entirely. Sarah watched with quiet relief.
Diana whisked Nicole upstairs while Sarah guided Serafina to the kitchen to continue preparations, meticulously explaining New Year traditions without neglecting her despite Nicole and Theron's arrival.
But Serafina's mind wandered. She thought of Jacob's three prepared gifts, of the way he looked at Nicole. She had always understood her position, knew she shouldn't develop genuine feelings, but emotions refused such rational control.
She found herself inexplicably yearning for a gift—perhaps because she sensed Jacob only gave them to people who truly mattered in his life.
Yet throughout dinner, Jacob produced no fourth gift.
The dining room glowed with candlelight and conversation. Out of consideration for Nicole's pregnancy, the men abstained from smoking and drinking, leaving only pleasant chatter about whether the baby would be a boy or girl, even suggesting several potential names. The atmosphere remained genuinely warm.
Serafina sat beside Jacob, proper and unobtrusive, when someone placed food in her bowl. Looking up, she was touched to see Oliver serving her. "Dad, I can manage myself."
Oliver beamed at her warmly, then addressed Jacob. "Jacob, show more consideration for your wife. This is her first New Year celebration with our family—don't neglect her."
His observation was astute. While Jacob and Serafina appeared compatible, it was merely surface politeness. Jacob might fool Serafina, but Oliver's experienced eye caught everything—including Serafina's reddened eyes, evidence of tears shed in private.
Jacob glanced at Serafina, then placed a piece of fish on her plate with gentle solicitude. "Eat more."
Serafina smiled softly as Oliver chuckled approvingly. "That's better!"
The dinner proceeded with lively warmth. By nine o'clock, delicate snowflakes began drifting from the sky, their tender descent through the night air stirring unwelcome memories—six years of shared history.
As Nicole and Theron prepared to leave, Oliver fretted anxiously. "Why not stay the night? You could return home tomorrow morning for lunch instead. We have plenty of rooms, and Nicole's bedroom is always kept ready."
Theron gripped the steering wheel, offering a gentle smile through the car window. "I'll drive carefully, Dad. Don't worry."
Oliver stepped back reluctantly, watching the Rolls-Royce disappear into the night. Snowflakes settled on the vehicle's surface as its red taillights faded from view. He stood in the falling snow for a long while, his heart heavy with bittersweet emotion.
At least his Nicole had married well.
Jacob stood silently nearby. The swirling snow blurred his vision as he watched his once-beloved Nicole depart with Theron to their new family life. She looked genuinely happy.
Oliver, understanding his thoughts, patted his shoulder gently. "It's all in the past now. Focus on building a good life with your wife. I can see Serafina is a fine woman who deserves your devoted attention."
Jacob smiled with practiced composure.
In the winter night's icy embrace, the car's interior remained warm as spring.
Nicole leaned against the leather seat, quietly watching the falling snow until Theron grasped her fingertips at a red light. "What are you thinking about?"
Nicole turned to face him with soft eyes. "What we'll have for lunch tomorrow!"
Theron laughed, stroking her still-flat abdomen. "Over forty-two days and no morning sickness—this baby's remarkably well-behaved. Must be a girl."
Nicole suspected it was a boy but said nothing, sensing Theron's preference for a daughter.
The light turned green, and Theron released her hand to adjust the heater to maximum warmth.
Thirty minutes later, the black Rolls-Royce pulled into a villa driveway—Theron's newly purchased home. The eight-thousand-square-foot property was perfectly suited for newlyweds, staffed only by a groundskeeper and two housekeepers since they would relocate to Sovelan after the New Year, leaving the villa empty most of the year.
As they entered the main house, wind chimes sang sweetly from the foyer ceiling, their melody particularly enchanting against the gentle snowfall. The interior radiated cozy warmth.
This was her and Theron's home, Nicole reflected with contentment.
Serafina had retired upstairs first. In Jacob's former bedroom sitting room, she clutched a small velvet pouch containing a lucky charm she had prepared for him weeks ago. She hesitated over whether to give it, but having received no gift herself, offering one seemed presumptuous. She didn't want to love him, feared the torment of unrequited feelings.
As Serafina wrestled with her turbulent emotions, Jacob's voice suddenly emerged from the doorway. "What are you looking at?"
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