Chapter 111
The golden glow of the setting sun bathed the two figures, one large and one small, locked in an embrace, outlining a warm and peaceful silhouette.
Elizabeth lowered her head, coaxing the child in soft whispers, her profile showing a gentleness he had never seen before.
This scene strangely soothed the lingering violence and bloodlust in his heart.
But then, he noticed how Jack was holding onto Elizabeth, and when Jack looked at him, there was a barely noticeable wariness in those clear eyes.
That wasn't the kind of look a three-year-old should have.
It carried an instinctive alertness and a hint of hostility, even though the target was his own father.
Jacob's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Because of his early trauma, Jack was already more sensitive and complex than other kids his age, and his dependence on Elizabeth was unusually strong.
Now that dependence seemed to be mixing with something else.
He walked over.
Hearing the footsteps, Elizabeth looked up, and Jack poked his head out from her arms.
"Daddy." Jack called out, but his little hand still clutched tightly at Elizabeth's clothes.
Jacob acknowledged him, his gaze lingering on Jack's face for a moment, then said to Elizabeth, "Take him inside for dinner."
During dinner, Jack was unusually clingy with Elizabeth, even refusing to feed himself, insisting that she feed him, and constantly checking to make sure she was nearby.
Elizabeth indulged him, patiently taking care of him.
Jacob sat at the head of the table, eating in silence, his eyes occasionally sweeping over the two of them in their intimate interaction, his gaze deep and unreadable.
After dinner, according to routine, Elizabeth should play with Jack for a while, then put him to bed.
But tonight, Jacob directly instructed Tina as she approached, "Take Jack back to his room to rest."
Then he walked over to Jack, bent down, looked into his eyes, and said calmly, "Jack, you're a big boy now. You need to learn to sleep on your own. Tina will stay with you tonight."
Jack froze, his lips trembling, about to cry, looking to Elizabeth for help.
Elizabeth was also surprised and was about to speak when Jacob straightened up, gently pulling Jack away from her side and handing him to Tina.
"Be good." Jacob said to Jack, his voice not loud but carrying a father's authority.
Jack looked at Jacob's expressionless face, then at Elizabeth, and finally, intimidated by Jacob's presence, reluctantly let Tina lead him away by the hand, looking back every few steps.
Elizabeth watched Jack's somewhat dejected figure, feeling a pang of sympathy, but she knew that Jacob's decisions were hard for her to change.
"You're tired too. Get some rest early." Jacob said to her, then turned as if to return to his study or bedroom.
Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief and turned toward her guest room.
However, she had just finished washing up and changed into her pajamas, preparing to review some reports Nightfall had sent, when there was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" She asked.
"Me." Jacob's deep voice came from outside.
Elizabeth hesitated, then walked over and opened the door.
Jacob stood outside, wearing a set of dark gray silk pajamas, his hair slightly damp as if he'd just showered.
He held a bottle of wine and two glasses.
"What is it?" Elizabeth blocked the doorway, showing no intention of letting him in.
Jacob looked at her guarded posture, his eyes darkening, and directly pushed the door open, walked in, and closed the door behind him.
He walked to the small sofa in the center of the room, set down the wine and glasses, his tone flat as if stating a fact, "My room got dirty. Can't sleep there for now."
"There are plenty of empty rooms in the manor."
She didn't believe that with the financial resources of the Smith Family, there would be no other clean and comfortable guest rooms.
"Not used to them." Jacob poured two glasses of wine, picked one up, and handed it to her. "Tonight, I'm sleeping here."
Elizabeth didn't take the glass, her brow furrowing slightly, "Mr. Smith, you promised to give me privacy."
"Haven't I?" Jacob smiled, pressing the glass into her hand, picked up the other glass himself, drained it in one gulp, then walked up to her, looking down at her. "Isn't this your room? But we're getting married soon anyway. It's perfectly normal for an engaged couple to stay together."
His gaze roamed over her face, makeup-free and looking especially fair and delicate, finally settling on her slightly open pajama collar, his Adam's apple bobbing.
"Go take a shower." His voice suddenly became somewhat hoarse. "I'll wait for you."
The suggestive meaning in those words couldn't be clearer.
Elizabeth gripped the cold glass, her fingertips pressing slightly harder.
She knew his mood tonight was unusual, not just the satisfaction from purging the rebellion, but something else stirring restlessly.
That kiss in the filthy pipe, that sudden announcement of their engagement, and now the undisguised desire and possessiveness in his eyes.
He wanted to release everything in the most primal way.
She could refuse.
But she didn't reject his touch, and even in certain moments, felt an indescribable thrill from his forceful invasion.
It was just that she didn't like this feeling of being treated as a possession to be taken at will.
"Mr. Smith," she raised her eyes, looking directly at him, "if you just want to let off steam, or confirm your ownership, then..."
"Shut up." Jacob interrupted her, suddenly reaching out to grip her chin, forcing her to look up. His eyes were as deep as the night sea, churning with complex emotions she couldn't read. "Elizabeth, what do you think I am?"
He leaned closer, his breath hot against her face, "What I want isn't just your body."
His thumb gently caressed her lower lip, his voice dropping to almost a whisper, "I want you here," he tapped her heart, "and here too," he tapped her forehead, "all of it, all mine."
This was a declaration even more domineering and unreasonable than simple physical possession.
Elizabeth's heartbeat skipped, shocked by the almost obsessive sincerity and possessiveness in his eyes.
Jacob released his grip, stepped back, picked up the bottle and poured himself another glass, then turned and walked toward the large bed in the room, sitting down and beginning to unbutton his pajamas.
"Go shower." He said again, his tone not as gentle as the first time. "Don't make me say it a third time."
Elizabeth stood there watching him, watching him invade her space with an unquestionable attitude, asserting his dominance.
She drained the wine in her glass, the cold liquid sliding down her throat, bringing a brief moment of clarity and resolve.
Then she turned and walked into the bathroom without a word.
The sound of running water filled the air, steamy mist gradually spreading.
Jacob sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the water in the bathroom, tilting his head back to finish his second glass.
The strong liquor burned down his throat, but he couldn't suppress the nameless fire in his heart and a strange, almost panicked craving.
Only by completely possessing her, feeling her warmth and heartbeat, confirming that she truly existed within his control, could he slightly calm the wild storm that had been raging in his heart.
He couldn't wait any longer.