Chapter 596 She Signed the Divorce Agreement While Pregnant 3
Jacob had suspected the purpose of this dinner before arriving, but he came anyway.
Truth be told, he couldn't understand why he'd accepted the invitation.
He and Serafina had already signed the papers—no amount of Oliver's maneuvering could change the outcome. Besides, Serafina had already admitted she wanted to be with Floyd. They were both educators with common ground; they'd probably make it work.
'Let her go,' Jacob told himself. 'It's the right thing to do. For both of us.'
He allowed himself a moment to appreciate Serafina's appearance before straightening in his chair and rattling off several dishes to the manager. Whether from habit or instinct, he found himself ordering one of Serafina's favorite dishes as well.
When the meal began, Oliver chuckled and shook his head. "Well, you certainly make yourself at home."
Jacob offered a slight smile but said nothing.
Oliver, unable to contain himself any longer, set down his glass with deliberate care. "Jacob, I'm going to ask you straight out—is there any hope of salvaging this marriage?"
The atmosphere immediately grew tense. Jacob set down his silverware, the stainless steel clattering against the fine china with a sharp ring.
His gaze found Serafina again—yes, he had initiated the divorce, but these things were never one-sided. This decision felt mutual, a shared acknowledgment that continuing would be pointless. The papers were signed, and Jacob wasn't the type to change course on a whim.
Serafina spoke up then. "Dad, this was a mutual decision between Jacob and me. We're parting amicably."
Oliver wanted to persist, perhaps share his and Sarah's love story as inspiration, but it was clear both Serafina and Jacob had made their choice. What could he do besides feel the weight of his disappointment?
Oliver spread his napkin across his lap and managed a strained smile. "Then let's have a proper meal—consider it your last supper as husband and wife."
The words carried the weight of an elder's sorrow, particularly knowing that Jacob's decision to remain in Sovelan had directly led to this divorce. Oliver felt he'd failed Serafina somehow.
Eventually, he excused himself for a cigarette, leaving the young couple alone.
In the vast, empty restaurant, Jacob studied Serafina intently. "How are things with him? Will you marry soon? If you do, make sure to send me an invitation. I might not attend, but I'll certainly send a gift."
Even as he spoke, Jacob despised himself for this transparent fishing expedition.
Serafina didn't deny anything. She decided to let Jacob maintain his misconception—Floyd wasn't in Evergreen City, so there was no way to verify the truth. She hadn't told Jacob about waiting for Lila's case to conclude, after which she planned to disappear with the child growing inside her, staying away from Evergreen City for years.
Jacob took her silence as confirmation. His mood plummeted, but he suppressed his irritation and continued dining with Serafina, who quietly cut small pieces of foie gras and brought them delicately to her lips.
The foie gras was perfectly tender, melting on the tongue, but whether due to pregnancy or not, Serafina found it unbearably rich. She tried to endure it at first, but eventually couldn't bear it anymore and rushed to the restroom with her hand pressed to her mouth.
Serafina dry-heaved until she was completely drained, then gripped the marble countertop and splashed cold water on her face. Even then, she felt nauseated—the thought of those gourmet dishes made her stomach turn again.
Jacob appeared in the restroom doorway, watching as Serafina leaned against the sink. The silk of her dress clung to her slender frame, her waist so narrow a man could span it with his hands. The sight stirred memories of tender nights when this woman's body had belonged entirely to him.
But soon, it would belong to Floyd.
The thought darkened Jacob's expression as he frowned with concern. "Are you feeling unwell?"
Serafina forced down her discomfort and replied softly, "I think I caught a chill last night. My stomach's a bit upset."
Jacob, having no experience with pregnancy, accepted this explanation readily and even offered to have the chef prepare something more nutritious for her.
Serafina politely declined.
Back at the table, she lacked the energy to continue the meal and quietly expressed her desire to leave.
Jacob blurted out, "Are you afraid he'll be angry? Technically, you're still my wife."
Serafina paused, then gently shook her head.
Oliver personally escorted her out, no longer attempting to change their minds but speaking to her like an elder advising a younger family member. He told her to reach out if she ever needed help and advised her to ignore Jacob's "nonsense"—he'd overheard the conversation about Floyd.
In the dim interior of the car, Serafina's eyes grew moist.
She was a good person who felt guilty about the marriage's failure, especially considering how well Oliver and Sarah had treated her. The more she showed this remorse, the more reluctant Oliver became to let her go.
Even the longest farewell must end.
The black sedan stopped in front of Serafina's villa, and Oliver went no further.
As Serafina stepped out, she turned to Oliver and bowed slightly, her voice trembling as she called him "Dad" one last time.
From now on, she would have no connection to the Windsor family and wouldn't impose on them. Though Oliver had offered his help, Jacob would eventually have a new wife, and Serafina refused to become anyone's burden.
Oliver's voice was heavy with emotion. "Go on inside now."
Serafina's lips continued to tremble as she walked through the ornate black gates. Oliver watched her retreating figure and suddenly realized who she reminded him of—her feelings for Jacob mirrored Sarah's early love for him, carefully hidden and protected in her heart.
'Jacob has lost a good wife,' Oliver thought sadly.
A week later, Serafina received a check for fifty million dollars, the deed to a three-thousand-square-foot house, and their final divorce decree.
It was over. They had severed all ties completely.
This pregnancy showed early and prominently. Aside from prenatal appointments, Serafina rarely left home, though she still visited Lila monthly, bringing warm clothes as winter approached.
Lila's sentencing was scheduled for just before New Year's Eve. Serafina made her final visit to the detention center when she was four months along—even beneath her loose down jacket, her condition was clearly visible.
Lila stared for a long moment before speaking in a trembling voice. "Serafina, you're pregnant? How could you be so foolish? Why divorce Jacob when you're carrying his child? What if it's a boy?"
She stopped herself mid-sentence. She had spent her life obsessing over having a son, but what good had it done? Even if she'd borne Ronan a son, he still would have been unfaithful, still would have had his affairs. Nothing would have changed.
Finally, Lila understood. What had ruined her life wasn't Ronan—it was her own obsession. Her desperate need to prove herself through bearing a son had trapped her in a cycle of self-destruction. She'd forgotten that Isadora was every bit as capable as any man, forgotten how sweet and sensible Serafina was.
Lila covered her face and broke down sobbing. "Divorced is divorced," she said through her tears. "Boy or girl, I'll help you raise this child when I get out. Serafina, I failed you and Isadora both."
Tears filled Serafina's eyes as she whispered, "Mom."
The visit lasted only ten minutes before Serafina was ushered out. Beyond the gray prison walls, gentle snow had begun to fall, delicate flakes dancing through the overcast sky.
She suddenly realized it was Christmas Eve. As this thought crossed her mind, her phone began ringing in her purse.