Chapter 595 She Signed the Divorce Agreement While Pregnant 2
Serafina understood immediately—Jacob had seen Floyd and clearly misunderstood the situation.
She stood there as the streetlights flickered on one by one overhead, casting her already pale face in an even more ghostly pallor.
Her slender fingers gripped the phone tightly, her voice barely above a whisper: "Yes, being with him feels wonderful." She drew a deep breath before continuing, "After the divorce, I'll give it a try with him."
Night was falling steadily.
Across the street, Jacob sat in his parked car, his eyes like chips of ice as he watched Serafina and listened to her praise another man.
He let out a bitter laugh, thinking, 'Our marriage is over, I don't even love her, so why does it matter who she's with after the divorce? Why do I care who holds her heart? I'm being absurdly pathetic.'
Jacob gazed at Serafina and spoke quietly into the phone: "Floyd would indeed make a fine choice for you." Then he hung up.
The black Rolls-Royce's window rolled up, severing their line of sight, and Jacob pressed the accelerator without a backward glance.
As the car pulled away, its sleek form seemed to blur between reality and illusion in the shifting shadows. In his rearview mirror, Serafina's figure grew smaller and smaller.
Jacob gripped the steering wheel with one hand while fishing out a cigarette with the other, placing it between his lips. His gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, but his thoughts lingered on Serafina—it was good that she'd found someone.
But when he returned to his empty mansion, when he dined alone, when he lay sleepless in his bed, the reality of his divorce hit him with crushing clarity. He might have been fine never marrying at all, but he had shared real intimacy with this woman, lived alongside her day and night—it was impossible to feel nothing.
On the nightstand beside him lay a delicate chain, quiet and still, like Serafina's ghost. Jacob turned his head to stare at it, then suddenly, as if unable to bear it any longer, snatched it up and shoved it into the drawer.
Deep into the night, Serafina stood on the terrace, letting the evening breeze wash over her.
A light cardigan was draped gently over her shoulders—Isadora had joined her. Standing side by side, Isadora's gaze dropped to Serafina's stomach.
Already knowing about the pregnancy, and thinking of Serafina and the child's future, Isadora's typically fierce nature compelled her to ask, "Will you tell Jacob? Perhaps this baby could mend things between you two."
Serafina stared into the endless darkness. The night was serene, and she and Jacob were worlds apart.
After a long moment, she shook her head gently, "No, Isadora. Once mother's verdict comes down, I want to move to the city where her prison is located. I can avoid Jacob while staying close to her, and when she's released, we'll return together. But I'll need you to handle everything here."
Isadora pulled Serafina close, pressing their foreheads together.
She didn't try to persuade her further.
If Serafina still loved Jacob, Isadora would move heaven and earth to reunite them, but if Serafina truly wanted out of this marriage, then Isadora would raise this child herself, treating it as her own flesh and blood, grooming it—boy or girl—to inherit the Penrose family business.
Her voice grew husky, "Actually, it's quite a bargain. Jacob's genes should be excellent—this child will likely have both beauty and brains."
Serafina laughed through her tears. Just then, a streak of white light flashed across the sky—a shooting star. Serafina made a wish.
The next day, Zoey, Oliver's assistant, came personally to invite Serafina to a private dinner he had arranged. Given how well Oliver and Sarah had treated her, and their help during the Lila incident, Serafina felt obligated to show respect by accepting.
It was early October.
Serafina followed Zoey out of the mansion to find a black stretch Lincoln waiting at the gate. Zoey opened the rear door with a smile. "Mrs. Windsor, please get in."
As Serafina settled into the car, she asked Zoey not to use that title anymore since she and Jacob had already signed divorce papers, but Zoey merely smiled in response.
The Lincoln glided through the city for half an hour before stopping at a restaurant.
Serafina froze—this was the very place where she and Jacob had first met for their arranged meeting. Returning here on the eve of their divorce stirred memories of that initial encounter, when she'd been struck by his devastating handsomeness.
Her heart filled with bittersweet complexity.
Zoey clearly noticed her melancholy and felt a pang of sympathy. Having watched Jacob grow up and witnessed his passionate love affair, she knew that with his temperament, Serafina must have endured considerable pain in this marriage. Still, Zoey thought Jacob, however callous, couldn't be worse than Oliver had once been.
Oliver sat in his usual spot, having reserved the entire restaurant for this private meal with Serafina.
At precisely noon, Zoey escorted her inside. Out of respect, Serafina still called him "Dad."
Oliver gestured for Zoey to pull out Serafina's chair, then smiled warmly. "Sarah tells me you've resigned from your position. As it happens, Sarah and I are planning a trip abroad. Since you're free now, why don't you join us? A change of scenery might do you good."
His tone was as affectionate and warm as always, speaking to her like family.
As Serafina considered her response, the head chef personally brought out the meal—all of Serafina's favorites. Oliver opened a bottle of wine and poured her a small glass, but she declined softly, "I can't drink alcohol."
Oliver paused, then immediately understood—Serafina was on her period. Being a mature man, he naturally didn't press the issue, having Zoey bring water instead. He lovingly served her food. "Try these ribs—the chef's signature dish."
Serafina took a delicate bite. "It's quite good."
Oliver leaned back in his chair, continuing conversationally, "Jacob loves this dish too. Speaking of which, I've invited him to join us today."
Serafina visibly started. Jacob was coming too?
Just then, the distinctive sound of leather shoes against marble echoed behind her—crisp, rhythmic steps she recognized as belonging to her soon-to-be ex-husband.
Sure enough, moments later Jacob pulled out the chair beside her and sat down, turning to study her with an unreadable, penetrating gaze.
Oliver snorted, "You're quite the busy man these days! Getting you to dinner requires three or four invitations. If I hadn't mentioned Serafina would be here, I'd probably be waiting until next year."
The atmosphere grew tense as Jacob continued staring at Serafina. She had clearly dressed with care today—a classic black and white fishtail dress, her long hair swept up, pearl earrings her only adornment. Her figure and bearing were exquisite, exactly the way Jacob had always preferred her.