Chapter 612 Jacob: This Time I Really Want to Love You 3
Serafina looked toward Jacob.
The bedroom was completely dark, and she could only make out his silhouette lying on the sofa. Though late August nights had grown cooler, Jacob preferred the chill and had only a thin blanket covering him.
Isadora's earlier words kept circling in Serafina's mind.
Did she still love Jacob?
When Serafina had something weighing on her heart, sleep eluded her. She tossed and turned restlessly until Jacob's low, husky voice emerged from the darkness, "If you can't sleep, we could find something else to do."
Serafina fell silent.
She thought Jacob was utterly shameless.
But her heart was indeed in turmoil, so she tried to get up and splash cold water on her face in the bathroom to clear her head. The moment she started to rise, a strong arm caught her, and a warm male body settled beside her on the bed, holding her firmly in place.
Serafina startled. "Jacob!"
In the darkness, Jacob held her close. He didn't try anything, simply buried his face in her neck and sighed softly, "Serafina, it's been so long since we've shared a bed."
Serafina could barely breathe in his tight embrace. He lifted his head slightly, his aristocratic nose nearly touching hers, their heated breaths mingling in a way that made her tremble.
Serafina's eyes lowered, her voice slightly hoarse, "Why is that?"
Such a simple question, yet she felt mortified asking it.
Yes, why indeed?
Why was she dredging up the past now? Wasn't this proof that she still cared, still couldn't let go? Deep down, she knew that no matter how coldly he'd treated her before, these past months had more than made up for it. He'd cared for her and Abigail, and Nicole had even given her blood.
The question was inappropriate and unnecessary.
A long silence stretched between them.
Jacob pulled her even closer. He understood her inability to voice her feelings, understood that her lingering resentment stemmed from love.
Without a word, he found her lips in the darkness and kissed her tenderly. He didn't ask if she was willing—he knew she was. In this moment, they both wanted the same thing.
In the dim light, their shadows danced on the wall.
Tears continuously slipped from the corners of Serafina's eyes. She accepted everything Jacob gave her. They'd been intimate as husband and wife before, but tonight felt different. There was a bittersweet quality to their union.
Through the haze, Jacob's voice whispered in her ear, "Serafina, I'll never let you down again."
But her tears only fell harder.
After their lovemaking, both felt somewhat awkward. Even Jacob, seasoned in the business world, didn't know how to navigate the aftermath or find the right words to say.
Fortunately, Abigail didn't wake.
Jacob composed himself, went to the bathroom to clean up, then returned with a warm washcloth to tend to Serafina. She didn't know how to face him and pretended to sleep. He knew she was awake but didn't call her out on it. This mutual understanding only added to the night's intimacy.
In the morning, Serafina woke to find a baby nestled in her arms.
Three-month-old Abigail had settled comfortably against Serafina, nursing while gazing up at her with unblinking eyes, her little face adorably greedy.
Jacob stood fully dressed in the morning light, watching them. He didn't mention the previous night, simply reached over to gently pinch Serafina's delicate cheek.
"I'll review some documents. When you're ready, we'll take Abigail for her checkup together," he said softly.
Serafina's face warmed as she murmured her agreement.
Her voice carried a slight rasp, and Jacob raised an eyebrow, involuntarily recalling the passion of the night before. His gaze lingered on Serafina with newfound meaning.
At nine that morning, Jacob drove Serafina and Abigail to the hospital.
Once in the car, Jacob turned to look at Serafina and Abigail in the back seat, his voice gentle as he gave instructions.
Serafina responded quietly, but instead of starting the engine, he spoke even more tenderly, "Come back to Evergreen City with me. If you want to visit your mother, we can fly here together. Serafina, I want to be with you and Abigail every day. Let's remarry."
Serafina's smile froze.
Jacob wouldn't let her avoid his gaze, his deep eyes fixed intently on her. "You've had all night to think about it. Haven't you changed your mind?"
In the past, Serafina wouldn't have hesitated, but after last night, she felt less certain. Her pale fingers traced Abigail's face as she murmure,: "Let me think about it more."
Jacob said with playful arrogance, "A man's prime years are limited too, you know."
"Then find someone else," Serafina replied petulantly.
Jacob chuckled softly, the sound carrying barely concealed pleasure. As an experienced man, how could he not recognize a woman's coy reluctance?
Serafina was too annoyed to speak further.
The car remained silent for the rest of the drive. Jacob focused on driving without teasing her again, only turning to look at her when they'd parked, as if coaxing a puppy, "You're actually quite adorable. I never noticed before."
Serafina got out with the baby, ignoring him.
Jacob laughed quietly and followed to take Abigail, not wanting Serafina to strain herself.
Behind them in the parking lot, Chloe stood frozen.
Every week, she secretly followed Jacob to Crystal City. She watched him lavish care on Serafina, watched him bask in domestic bliss. Last night, she'd even stationed herself outside their apartment building, seeing the bedroom light flicker on and off in the early hours. She knew Jacob and Serafina had been intimate again.
Chloe laughed bitterly.
They were lovers again.
So what was she to Jacob—a placeholder during his single period? He'd discarded her the moment Serafina was available again. She couldn't accept it.
After a thirty-minute examination, Abigail received excellent marks on all her developmental indicators.
Leaving the doctor's office, Jacob couldn't resist kissing Abigail repeatedly on her little head. Serafina felt happy too and couldn't help teasing him about it, which only excited Jacob more.
On the way home, Jacob remembered they were running low on formula.
He also wanted to buy Abigail some new toys, so he parked outside a baby store in the city center. He enjoyed carrying Abigail while keeping one arm around Serafina's shoulders as they strolled. Though he wasn't typically fond of shopping, he loved these family moments.
His constant companionship had gradually won Serafina over, so when Jacob took her hand as they left the store, despite her hesitation, she didn't pull away.
Across the street in a red car, Chloe watched their easy conversation with agonizing jealousy.
She couldn't bear it.
She thought that without Serafina, Jacob never would have broken up with her. They would have lived happily together, and she would have been the envied Mrs. Windsor.
It was all Serafina's fault!
Chloe tilted her head back to suppress her tears, then slammed on the accelerator. The car lurched toward Serafina. Once she hit her, it would all be over.
But she never imagined that a man like Jacob would willingly die for a woman.
A tremendous crash echoed through the air.
Serafina and Abigail were pushed to safety.
Jacob's body slammed violently into the car. The shopping bags he'd been carrying scattered across the pavement—formula, toys, and a little yellow duck that squeaked when squeezed and was supposedly perfect for bubble baths.
Abigail would have loved it.
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