Chapter 715 Never Show Your Face to Me Again 2
Originally, Jacob and Serafina had planned to return to their own place. But because of what had happened with Elliot, they ended up driving back together to the Windsor Mansion.
Jacob pulled the car to a stop. Turning his head toward Serafina, his voice softened. "Talk to Elliot later. He's never had another girlfriend all these years. I think he's still hurt."
Serafina gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment.
After a pause, she murmured, "It doesn't seem like he's over her."
Jacob's long fingers brushed the steering wheel as he smiled faintly. "Even if that's true, he'll never admit it. Let them work it out themselves. Elliot's not a kid anymore."
With that, they both stepped out of the car.
Up ahead, Elliot was already out. Abigail, a little over a year old, wobbled toward him on unsteady legs. Elliot bent down, scooping her up. She planted a tiny kiss on his cheek, then wrapped her arms around his neck and refused to let go, her face radiating the pure contentment of a child who knows she's loved.
Jacob and Serafina walked over.
The moment Abigail saw Jacob, she reached for him eagerly, babbling in half-formed words, flashing a row of tiny white teeth.
Jacob took her into his arms, and together they all headed inside.
Serafina set the small cake on the table, carefully slicing it into neat portions. She handed the first pieces to Oliver, Sarah, and Abigail, then finally to Jacob.
Jacob wasn't fond of sweets, but he took a couple of polite bites before focusing entirely on feeding Abigail, looking every bit the picture of a devoted father.
Oliver, warmed by the sight, glanced toward Elliot.
Elliot finished his cake in silence, then headed upstairs. Jacob caught Serafina's eye and gave her a subtle nod. A moment later, she followed with a plate of fruit in hand.
Only after she had gone did Oliver turn back to Jacob. "What's wrong with Elliot?"
Balancing Abigail on his knee, Jacob answered in an unhurried tone, "He ran into someone from his past. I don't think he's let go. She's beautiful—no wonder he's still hung up on her."
The events back then had hit Elliot hard. Because of a girl, he had given up basketball entirely, switching to study electronic engineering. At the time, they had seemed happy together. No one had expected it to end the way it did.
Given his age and position, Oliver had no intention of holding a grudge against a young woman. He also knew Elliot and her had truly been involved. By any measure, it had been a painful love story.
And Oliver didn't believe for a second that she'd never cared for Elliot.
How could she not? Elliot was the kind of man who was impossible to forget.
On the second-floor terrace, Elliot leaned against the railing, a cigarette caught between his fingers. The night air was cool, the darkness pressing close around him.
After a while, he glanced down at his phone, at the image on his lock screen.
It wasn't there because he couldn't forget her. It was there to remind him never to trust a woman again, never to believe in some fairytale version of love. All of it—every last bit—was a lie.
Years ago, he'd played the hero, saving her and injuring his arm so badly he could never play basketball again.
Then Molly had walked into his life, fragile as a fledgling with wings still damp. Something about her innocence had ignited a fierce protectiveness in him. He had looked at that sweet face and wanted to give her the world.
Basketball no longer seemed important.
He switched his major to electronic engineering. He courted her. He pedaled her around Evergreen City on his bike, taking her through its streets and even to nearby towns, pretending for a while that they were just an ordinary couple.
Those were the sweetest days of his life.
Until the afternoon he saw her with a group of rough-looking girls, a cigarette between her fingers, a large bag of cash in her hand. That was when he realized the truth: the girl he loved had been an illusion. His love had been nothing but a cruel wager—Molly's way of getting the million dollars she needed to go abroad for training and chase her dream of becoming a star.
He had called her name, but he hadn't gone to her. Instead, he turned and walked away.
He never set foot in their apartment again. The engagement ring—six million dollars and every lie she'd ever told—he hurled into the ocean, letting the waves swallow it the way they'd swallowed what was left of his heart
Footsteps sounded behind him.
Without turning, Elliot spoke quietly. "I'm fine, Serafina. I just didn't expect her to show up in my world again."
Serafina said nothing. She simply stepped up beside him, her gaze following his out toward the distant city lights.
After a long silence, Elliot's voice came low and rough. "I think I've forgotten how to love someone."