Chapter 603 Jacob, My Sister Is Dying in the Delivery Room 3
After giving birth, Serafina was utterly exhausted. She collapsed against the delivery bed, her body drained of all strength.
In that moment, she seemed to lose her hearing entirely, yet somehow she could perceive something extraordinary—as if pink buds were silently unfurling in the darkness, as if she could hear the whispered sound of petals drinking in moisture and growing. It was like hearing life itself awakening.
A heartbeat later, her hearing returned with startling clarity. She could hear the doctor attending to her, the nurses cleaning newborn Abigail, whose cries rang out strong and clear. A single tear, bright as crystal, rolled down her cheek.
This was her child—the child she had brought into the world.
Jacob's fingers were wrapped tightly around hers, holding on as if he were still her devoted husband. He hadn't even glanced at Abigail yet; his entire focus remained on Serafina, terrified something might go wrong.
His eyes were locked on her face with an intensity that seemed to forget they'd been divorced for over six months, forget the long separation, forget the cruel wedding invitation he'd sent her.
Right now, he wanted nothing more than to watch over her, even in her imperfect, vulnerable state. In this moment, he found himself thinking the unthinkable—about reconciliation.
But Serafina wanted no part of it.
She hadn't forgotten that today was Jacob's wedding day, hadn't forgotten their divorce was long finalized. Slowly, deliberately, she began to withdraw her hand from his grasp, trying to free herself from his hold.
Jacob only gripped tighter, leaning over her with the tender attention of a loving husband.
The nurse had finished cleaning Abigail, dressing her in a soft pink outfit before bringing her to Jacob. This was Crystal City—the staff didn't know Jacob's true situation and assumed they were simply a divorced couple.
"Seven pounds, born at 11:10 PM," the nurse said with a warm smile. "Congratulations to both of you!"
Serafina lay back weakly against the pillows while Jacob released her hand to take Abigail, bringing the baby close for her to see.
As he gazed at that tiny pink face, his throat worked visibly, fighting back the moisture in his eyes, though his voice still caught when he spoke.
"Serafina, this is our child," he said, his words thick with emotion.
"She's my child," Serafina replied, her lips trembling.
Jacob didn't argue, instead kneeling beside the bed to stay close to both Serafina and Abigail. That's when he noticed the hospital bracelet around the baby's tiny wrist, clearly marked with her name—Abigail Penrose.
She'd given the child her maiden name.
Jacob knew he had no right to object, but disappointment still washed over him. He'd hoped for Abigail Windsor, imagined a future where he and Serafina would raise her together—taking her to playgrounds, walking her to school, maybe even giving her a little brother or sister someday. His mind was already spinning with possibilities.
Across the room, Isadora hadn't come to see Abigail. She stood pressed against the wall, sobbing—first in great, heaving cries, then in muffled, broken sounds.
She was terrified beyond words. Terrified that Serafina might leave her, terrified of being alone, terrified of what desperate things she might do if Serafina weren't there. Thank God Serafina was safe.
Serafina heard her distress and turned toward the sound, her voice hoarse and barely recognizable. "Isadora, come see Abigail. She's just the cutest thing."
Isadora's pride ran deep, but she approached and carefully took Abigail in her arms, tears still glistening in her eyes. She put on a show of disdain.
"All that suffering just to produce this wrinkled little thing," she said, though her movements were infinitely gentle as she cradled the baby close.
Tears streamed down her face as her heart cried out, 'Serafina, thank you for bringing this beautiful child into the world, but God, you terrified me. You absolutely terrified me.'
Serafina settled back against the hospital bed. The metallic scent of blood still lingered in the air, but somewhere in the darkness, she could feel those mysterious buds continuing to bloom and grow.
Jacob gently took her hand again, saying nothing. There were so many things he needed to set right before he could speak to Serafina about what truly mattered.