Chapter 609 Serafina, Come Live with Me in Evergreen City 6
Serafina had to admit—she was tempted.
After all, here was Jacob, a man who had set aside his pride and all business matters to be with her during childbirth, who had cared for her through recovery, who had tended to their child day and night.
For the past two weeks, she had barely suffered a moment's discomfort, and her body had grown fuller and healthier under his care.
To be fair, such tenderness from a man was nearly impossible for any woman to resist.
Serafina was no exception.
Their faces pressed together, held in his embrace, feeling his warmth, listening to his sweet words—how could she feel nothing? Yet Serafina maintained a thread of reason, gently pushing him away. "I don't feel that way anymore."
She moved to stand, but Jacob wouldn't let her go. He leaned in to kiss her again.
This time, Serafina didn't let him succeed.
She pressed her palm against his lips, murmuring her refusal to his advances. "Jacob, if you keep this up, I'll have to move away—somewhere you'll never find me."
Jacob studied her expression and knew she wasn't bluffing.
Disappointment flickered in his chest. He genuinely wanted them to be a real married couple now—to raise their children together, to live together forever.
While he was lost in thought, Serafina seized her chance to escape.
Come morning, she began avoiding him entirely.
Jacob noticed, of course, but didn't confront her. Instead, he made arrangements. He purchased the apartment across from Serafina's and hired a team of childcare specialists to live there, ensuring round-the-clock support for Serafina and Abigail. Beyond that, he kept the staff from Evergreen City on hand to prepare daily nutritious meals for her. Jacob orchestrated every detail with meticulous care.
As Jacob made these arrangements, Isadora stood watching with her arms crossed.
She scoffed. "What a classic CEO move! Jacob, where the hell were you before now?"
If he'd shown even a hint of attachment to Serafina earlier, he never would have suspected the child was Floyd's. He didn't understand Serafina at all—a woman of her character would never jump into another relationship so soon after ending her marriage.
Isadora's feelings were deeply conflicted.
Jacob ignored her sarcasm entirely, continuing his work while Anya bustled about efficiently. The apartment had practically transformed into the Windsor Group's executive suite.
After arranging everything, Jacob skipped lunch and prepared to return to Evergreen City.
Before leaving, he changed Abigail's diaper one more time and gave Serafina detailed instructions. "These diapers will be professionally laundered with a specific detergent."
He handed her a container of powder. "Use this after her baths—anything else might cause a rash."
Serafina accepted it quietly. "I understand."
Jacob's gaze lingered on her.
A mountain of business awaited him in Evergreen City, and the company had accumulated countless matters requiring his attention. However reluctant he was to leave, he had no choice.
Having received no response from Serafina, he lifted Abigail instead, showering her with kisses for several long minutes, then gazing at her with such longing he seemed ready to tuck her into his pocket and take her with him.
Abigail grinned up at Jacob from his arms. Toothless, her smile revealed two rows of pink gums—absolutely adorable.
Jacob couldn't resist kissing her again.
When he handed Abigail back to Serafina, his voice was rough with emotion. "Take good care of Abigail. I'll be back in a few days."
As he was leaving, Serafina couldn't help but speak up, "Jacob, maybe we should just call it quits."
Jacob's hand was already on the door handle. Without turning around, he replied gently, "We'll discuss this when I return."
His tone carried all the tenderness of a husband speaking to his wife.
Serafina found herself speechless.
Jacob said nothing more, quietly opening the door and departing. He returned to Evergreen City that same afternoon.
Back in Evergreen City, Jacob spent two days clearing his business backlog.
Then the Windsor and Moore families sat down together to discuss dissolving the engagement. Since Chloe continued to refuse, and Oliver and Sarah felt guilty about the situation, they were willing to negotiate further—with Jacob handling the matter personally.
Jacob didn't shy away from the confrontation.
Seven o'clock sharp.
A black Rolls-Royce Phantom glided to a stop before an upscale business club. A doorman immediately approached to open the door.
Jacob stepped out, impeccably dressed, looking particularly distinguished beneath the colorful neon lights.
Anya emerged from the passenger seat, approaching him to murmur, "Mr. Jacob Windsor, everyone's waiting inside. Mr. Oliver Windsor and the Moore family have all arrived."
Jacob nodded with composed dignity and ascended the steps.
The club's corridor stretched long and luxurious, crystal chandeliers casting light over their silhouettes as a manager opened a private dining room door. "Right this way, Mr. Windsor."
Jacob peered inside. Oliver, Sarah, and the Moore family sat on opposite sides of the table, clearly divided. Food had been arranged on the square table, though no one seemed inclined to eat.
His appearance brought visible relief to Oliver and Sarah.
Chloe's slender frame tensed.
She looked toward the doorway, gazing at Jacob—the man who had nearly become her husband. He didn't look at her. After all his time in Crystal City, he showed no trace of missing her. Instead, he wanted to break their engagement.
Chloe watched Jacob intently as he entered and took his seat. Unwilling to accept defeat, tears gathered in her eyes.
The private room door closed softly.
Jacob lifted his wine glass with elegant fingers, first toasting Chloe's parents with respectful apologies, saying he had wronged Chloe and was prepared to take full responsibility.
Chloe's parents offered him no warmth.
Jacob didn't take offense. He was, after all, a businessman, and tonight's dinner was essentially a business negotiation. He drained his glass alone, then delicately mentioned the compensation he was prepared to offer the Moore family—not only a substantial cash settlement but also a contract worth ten billion dollars.
Chloe's parents exchanged glances.
This contract represented an enormous opportunity for the Moore family, not to mention the hundreds of millions in cash compensation. The Windsor family's willingness to pay such a price showed considerable respect.
Chloe's father sighed and addressed his daughter. "Enough, Chloe. You and Jacob simply aren't meant to be."
Otherwise, why would that child have been born on that particular day?
It was all fate.
But Chloe didn't believe in fate. She believed only that Serafina was deliberately stealing Jacob away. She lost composure entirely, tears streaming as she declared, "I won't agree to this."
But matters of the heart couldn't be forced.
With Serafina having given birth, Jacob felt both guilt and renewed affection for his ex-wife. He found comfort in Serafina's presence and was determined to end this engagement.
After Chloe's prolonged outburst, her father finally silenced her, urging her to preserve what dignity remained.
Chloe froze, staring at her father through her tears. "Has all this money blinded you? Are these payments more important than my happiness?"
Her father's voice turned stern. "Wake up, Chloe! Jacob doesn't love you. How can a man who doesn't love you bring you happiness? You should be grateful—heaven is sparing you from an unhappy marriage. Are you really willing to become a stepmother just to avoid letting go?"
"Yes, I am!" Chloe blurted out.
The room fell silent, everyone stunned by her declaration.
Chloe herself seemed shocked by her own words.
The truth was, she wasn't particularly sentimental—she simply couldn't bear to lose. The entire world knew she was supposed to marry Jacob. Now he was abandoning her for Serafina. How could she possibly let this go? How would she face society afterward?
This obsession consumed her.
In the end, Chloe's father made the final decision: the engagement between Chloe and Jacob was dissolved. From now on, they would go their separate ways.
Oliver and Sarah could only sigh with regret.
Outside the club, Oliver still berated Jacob thoroughly, but when he mentioned Abigail, his granddaughter, his anger dissipated. He and Sarah were already planning to pack and move to Crystal City—now they could do so with clear consciences, free from criticism.
Jacob endured Oliver's tirade without protest.
Once Oliver had vented and left, Jacob finally got into his car and returned to his villa. He had already moved back to the home he'd shared with Serafina, planning to bring his wife and daughter back to live there soon.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom approached the ornate black gates.
The car slowly came to a stop.
Headlights blazing, they illuminated a woman blocking their path—none other than Chloe.