Chapter 578 She Knows Jacob Doesn't Love Her 2
Serafina's grip tightened around the object in her hand as Jacob walked into the room.
She quickly tucked away the lucky charm and greeted him with a warm smile. "It's nothing! Did you finish seeing your guest out?"
Jacob nodded with a soft "Mm-hmm."
Tonight was December 31st, the last day of the year—a day that already carried special significance. With the gentle snowfall outside, even Jacob felt a rare tenderness stirring within him.
He took hold of Serafina's slender shoulders and spoke softly, "I had Anya prepare a New Year's gift for you earlier, but I completely forgot about it. I'll go down to the car and get it."
"Don't!" Serafina caught his sleeve. "It's freezing out there. Tomorrow will be just as good."
But Jacob insisted on going downstairs anyway.
He threw on a heavy coat before heading down. As he passed through the foyer, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking drags as he walked to his car. Opening the door, he leaned in and retrieved a deep blue jewelry box from the back seat. A light dusting of snow settled on the box as he held it.
Jacob stared down at it quietly.
His mind drifted back to that night in Seaul years ago, when he and Nicole had parted ways on a similar snowy evening. Now, years later, they had both married other people. Even the deepest love had become nothing more than a memory. Nicole had moved on with her life, while he still clung to the past—how ridiculous he was.
He finished his cigarette and returned to the third floor.
Outside, the world was frozen solid. When he reentered the bedroom, a thin layer of ice had formed on his coat. Serafina came over to help him remove it and hung it up.
"You should wear a different one tomorrow," she suggested.
Instead of responding, Jacob took her hand and led her to the sofa.
Serafina now held the jewelry box in her hands.
She opened it slowly to reveal an expensive diamond set. The style confirmed it was indeed Anya's selection—large, flashy diamonds that sparkled brilliantly under the crystal chandelier. Paired with an evening gown, they would certainly make her the center of attention.
Serafina was an ordinary woman at heart.
Like most women, she appreciated beautiful, sparkling things. Yet after admiring the gift for a long moment, she asked softly, "Jacob, do you have any gift that you chose yourself?"
She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes after asking.
This was perhaps one of the few times in their marriage that she had ever asked for anything.
Later, after their marriage fell apart and they met again, Jacob would ask her why she never made demands of him. He would tell her he would have given her anything she asked for.
Why hadn't she asked?
Serafina wondered if it was because, when she wasn't favored, she hadn't dared to ask for anything.
In this moment, summoning the courage to ask for a gift personally chosen by Jacob took all her nerve. She feared his rejection and her own disappointment, barely daring to look at him lest he discover her foolish longing.
Loving someone wasn't shameful, but being dismissed for it was both pitiful and laughable.
Jacob's gaze was penetrating, as if he could easily see into her heart.
After a long pause, he smiled faintly. "I thought you would like the jewelry Anya selected."
Serafina's eyes dimmed with disappointment.
On the first day of the New Year, Oliver and Sarah went to visit Henry and Amelia, leaving Jacob as the only authority figure at home.
A steady stream of Windsor Group executives came to offer New Year's greetings.
After a year of such social obligations, Jacob had developed a headache, but these company veterans were people he couldn't afford to offend.
By the second day of the New Year, Jacob finally had some free time.
Serafina was scheduled to return to the Penrose Mansion, and early that morning, Jacob had the staff prepare gifts. After finishing breakfast, he sat in the car waiting for Serafina so they could leave together.
While waiting, he lit a cigarette.
The pale blue smoke curled around his handsome features, adding a touch of mature masculinity to his appearance. He gazed forward, his eyes deep in thought, silently contemplating his relationship with Serafina.
After a moment, he pulled a gift he had personally prepared from his coat pocket.
He recalled Serafina's spontaneous question that night, asking if he had a gift that he himself had chosen. She must have wanted one badly.
These feminine subtleties—he could recognize them but didn't fully understand them. Why would she prefer a personally selected gift over more valuable jewelry?
At the entrance, Serafina emerged.
She got into the car and removed her outer coat, revealing a powder-blue wool dress that gave her a fresh, gentle appearance.
Jacob extinguished his cigarette and raised the window, saying softly, "That dress looks nice. Did we buy it together last time?"
Serafina responded with a gentle "Yes."
Jacob pressed lightly on the accelerator, his voice growing even softer. "Fasten your seatbelt."
Half an hour later, the car slowly approached the main gate of the Penrose Mansion.
As Jacob turned the steering wheel, his sharp eyes caught sight of a black Cullinan parked along the edge. While there might be a hundred such vehicles in Evergreen City, that particular license plate belonged only to Avery.
So Avery and Isadora were really involved?
How interesting.
Jacob couldn't help but wonder what it was like between the hot-tempered Avery and the equally fiery Isadora. They probably argued half the night over who would be on top.
The vermilion gates slowly opened.
The gleaming black car drove in steadily and eventually stopped in front of the main building of the Penrose Mansion.
Isadora was waiting in the parking area. Seeing Jacob step out of the car, she expressed genuine happiness for Serafina: "Mother's been looking forward to your visit all morning. She's been to the kitchen at least ten times. Serafina, she's prepared all your and Jacob's favorites."
Serafina embraced her.
The wind was strong, but their faces were warm against each other.
Jacob gave Isadora a formal nod before opening the trunk to retrieve the gifts. His serious demeanor made Isadora furrow her brow. She asked Serafina, "Is he this cold at home too?"
Serafina couldn't help but laugh. "He's a little better at home."
Isadora joined in her laughter.
Jacob's typical aloofness was something she was well accustomed to in business settings. She was merely teasing Serafina.
While Jacob wasn't paying attention, Isadora whispered to Serafina, "Ronan has brought his mistress back to Evergreen City. They're having a little family reunion right now. Don't mention him—it'll only upset Mother."
Serafina nodded, her heart heavy with the news.
By then, Jacob had carried the gifts into the main hall. Lila personally came forward to greet him. She had an excellent impression of her son-in-law and treated him with great courtesy, speaking with the warmth and thoughtfulness of an elder.
Jacob was well-versed in human nature.
He made no mention of Ronan's whereabouts, though he had recently heard rumors of Ronan's affairs.
Unexpectedly, a servant had informed Ronan of Jacob's arrival, and he hurried back before lunch.
As soon as he entered, he began apologizing profusely, "Jacob, I'm terribly sorry—having to deal with business even during the New Year holiday. Please forgive my poor hospitality. Later, let's have a proper drink together, just us men."
Jacob didn't rise from his seat.
Wiping his hands with a wet wipe, he smiled faintly. "What unfortunate timing. I didn't bring my driver today, so we'll have to save that for another time."
Ronan responded with an air of entitlement, "Serafina can drive."
Jacob maintained his smile. "Serafina is my wife, not the Windsor family's chauffeur."
"Another time, then."
Jacob's deliberate coldness left Ronan visibly uncomfortable.
He shot Serafina a meaningful look.
Serafina kept her head down, focusing on her food, pretending not to notice.
Beside them, Isadora's beautiful eyes darted over Ronan's face, her heart filled with vindication. Ronan, that bastard—only Jacob could put him in his place.
Lila was exceptionally attentive.
She served Jacob some food, speaking gently, "This dish is very nourishing, Jacob, you should try it. It's starting to snow again outside. This afternoon, I'll have Serafina take you to enjoy the view. Put work aside during the New Year holiday."
Ronan fumed as he listened.
Was Lila doing this deliberately? She knew perfectly well he needed a favor from his son-in-law, yet she was intentionally sending Jacob away. But with Jacob present, he couldn't confront Lila.
Lila knew exactly what she was doing. For the sake of her broken marriage, she had already sacrificed Isadora. She didn't want Serafina to be dragged into the Penrose family's affairs, so she wouldn't allow Ronan to use Serafina. All she wanted was for Serafina to live a stable, dignified life under Jacob's protection.
In the afternoon, Lila said she wanted to make juice and called Serafina to help in the kitchen.
"Are you pregnant yet?" she asked directly.
Serafina, who had been cutting fruit, froze momentarily before shaking her head gently.
Lila looked disappointed.
After some thought, she said to Serafina, "You'll need to have a son eventually. That's how you secure your place in your husband's heart and strengthen your position in the Windsor family."
For a while, the only sound was the soft noise of fruit being cut.
When Serafina remained silent, Lila prompted her, "Say something, will you?"
Serafina put down her knife.
After a long pause, she looked at Lila and murmured, "Mom, do you really believe having a son improves a marriage? Love or the lack of it has never been determined by having children."
Lila was stunned.
For the first time, Serafina was expressing her own opinion. Was it because of Jacob? Had this marriage changed her?
Serafina said nothing more.
In her heart, she hoped Lila would cut her losses and stop wasting her energy on someone undeserving. But knowing how much Isadora had invested emotionally, she couldn't bring herself to say these things out loud.
By the time they left the Penrose Mansion, it was already four in the afternoon.
Sitting in the car, Jacob glanced at Serafina. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, probably from the small amount of wine she'd had at lunch. He guessed she rarely drank alcohol.
Jacob stroked the steering wheel lightly, looking out at the falling snow.
"Where would you like to go?" he asked.
Still in her camel-colored cashmere coat, Serafina's small face was partially hidden, making her appear particularly delicate. Jacob couldn't help but look at her a few more times.
After a while, she turned to him and said softly, "I'd like to go to the amusement park to see the Ferris wheel."
Jacob was taken aback.