Chapter 571 Serafina's Hidden Unhappiness 2
The sound of running water ceased in the bathroom.
Jacob emerged, pulling the door open to reveal his tall, lean frame. His bathrobe hung loosely open, dark hair still damp and gleaming, a single droplet rolling down his sharp jawline, tracing a path along his chest to his sculpted abs before disappearing into the defined V of his lower torso.
He toweled his wet hair while his gaze fixed on Serafina lying in bed.
Unaccustomed to bright light, she had dimmed the bedside lamp to a soft glow that seemed to cast her smooth skin in an ethereal, porcelain-like sheen.
From his masculine perspective, their intimate life was satisfactory.
Though Serafina wasn't a stunning beauty, her body was undeniably alluring, and he found pleasure in her responses and expressions during their encounters—for a man, sexual compatibility could make marriage far less tedious.
Moreover, she was gentle-natured and kept regular hours.
There was little to complain about.
Jacob finished drying his hair, carelessly tossing the towel onto the sofa back before walking toward the bed and covering Serafina's body with his own. The world seemed to sway gently as Serafina softly closed her eyes.
Before year's end, Serafina returned to the Penrose Mansion.
As the car door opened, the Penrose family servants rushed forward with eager hospitality. "Mrs. Windsor, welcome home! Mrs. Penrose has been waiting for you all day—she even went to the kitchen this morning to personally arrange your favorite dishes."
Serafina stepped out while Elton, the same driver as always, retrieved supplements from the trunk before departing.
The moment Serafina entered the house, Lila came rushing down the stairs.
Upon seeing her daughter, Lila's eyes glistened with moisture, her voice catching with emotion. "I've been counting the hours until you arrived—I was just thinking of you when I heard the car. Stay the night, won't you? Isadora says she'll come home early."
Lila's voice dropped to a whisper. "Because of you, he's sent his mistress abroad. He's been sneaking visits these past few days. Tonight you mustn't go back. We three women can finally have a proper conversation."
Serafina's heart lifted with joy.
For Lila, this day felt like New Year—unfaithful Ronan was away, Serafina had come home, and Isadora was thriving at the company, her position growing ever more secure with success on the horizon.
After lunch, with Ronan safely absent, Lila organized her jewelry collection—years of careful acquisition had yielded quite a treasure trove.
She had been too cautious to display these pieces during Serafina's wedding, but now she carefully selected items for her daughter.
"Though you've married into wealth, you should wear pieces I've given you—something that commands respect and prevents others from looking down on you," Lila said quietly. "Don't refuse me now. I've prepared a set for your sister as well."
"Mother," Serafina's voice trembled with emotion, deeply understanding Lila's struggles.
Lila was in exceptional spirits. She leaned closer, asking conspiratorially, "You've been married to Jacob for quite some time now—any signs of pregnancy?"
Serafina's cheeks flushed pink as she shook her head gently.
Lila pressed further with concern. "Do you… spend the night together often?"
"Yes," Serafina replied softly. "We're quite intimate, but for some reason, I still haven't conceived. I can tell he's growing anxious about it too."
Lila understood completely. Jacob would turn thirty-one after the New Year, and as the Windsor family's eldest son, he naturally felt pressure about producing an heir.
Still, she comforted Serafina. "It simply means fate hasn't arrived yet. After the New Year, I'll pray more fervently for you. Hopefully, you'll give birth to a son soon—that would secure your position in the Windsor family."
'A son.' A wave of melancholy swept through Serafina's heart. Not wanting to dampen Lila's mood, she simply murmured her agreement.
Since she planned to stay overnight at the Penrose Mansion, Serafina called Jacob at four o'clock to inform him of her plans. "Don't trouble Elton to pick me up tomorrow morning—I'll have the family car take me to school," she added thoughtfully.
At the Windsor Group's executive office, Jacob held the phone while reviewing documents on his desk. Finding them satisfactory, he signed and handed them to Anya. "Make copies and distribute these."
Anya hesitated instead of leaving immediately. "About tonight's company year-end gala—would you like to invite Mrs. Windsor?" she asked quietly.
Jacob had already hung up the phone.
He smiled faintly. "Serafina's with her parents tonight. Perhaps next time."
Anya said nothing more and left with the documents. Once alone, Jacob slumped back in his leather chair, sitting quietly for a moment before opening his desk drawer to retrieve a photograph—a picture of him and Nicole from their youth, both radiant in their early twenties. Nicole leaned against him, laughing with pure joy.
Jacob studied the image for a long time, wondering why he hadn't invited Serafina to tonight's gala. Perhaps because this time of year marked when he had lost Nicole forever—he had given Serafina the marriage Nicole never received, the companionship that should have been hers. This particular event felt like something he wasn't ready to share. How absurd that after all this time, he still mourned what was lost.
Jacob remained seated until darkness fell. At seven o'clock, another secretary knocked and entered with a smile. "Mr. Windsor, the gala begins at eight. Shall we depart now?"
"Let's go." Jacob grabbed his suit jacket and headed for the door.
That evening, Jacob was the picture of confidence and success at the gala.
Meanwhile, at the Penrose Mansion, Serafina and Isadora lay in bed talking intimately through the night.
By morning, both sported faint dark circles under their eyes, earning them a stern scolding from Lila—though delivered with gentle affection.
Serafina's mood remained buoyant even after arriving at school and settling at her office desk.
She was well-liked among the faculty, and Vivienne, a temporary worker, had already prepared her coffee and thoughtfully placed the morning newspaper beside it.
Serafina handed her a large box of chocolates. "Sovelan chocolates—Beatrice will love them."
Beatrice was Vivienne's only daughter and one of Serafina's students.
Vivienne accepted the gift with obvious delight, examining it carefully before smiling warmly. "Serafina, you're too generous. I'll thank you on Beatrice's behalf."
"Think nothing of it," Serafina replied with a gentle smile.
As Vivienne left, still caressing the chocolate box, her gratitude was evident. Divorced and scorned by her in-laws for bearing a daughter, she had been raising five-year-old Beatrice alone.
Since joining the school staff, Serafina had been incredibly supportive—not only providing food and treats but quietly covering Beatrice's tuition fees. Vivienne's appreciation ran deep.
After Vivienne departed, Serafina continued smiling as she opened the morning paper. Her expression froze within moments.
The headline featured Jacob's scandal—photographs from the Windsor Group's gala showed him in formal black evening wear, champagne glass in hand, looking mature and distinguished under the lights.
Beside him, a familiar, glamorous actress was captured planting a kiss on his cheek.