The next morning, Stefani sat alongside Jacob at the breakfast table. The soft morning light seeped through the curtains. They shared a serene moment filled with the scent of fresh coffee and toast. Stefani took a mouthful and smiled, enjoying how simple the morning routine had become with Jacob by her side.Just as she was about to take another bite, her phone rang. Stefani peered at the screen and saw that it was Shaina, Shaira's sister. A faint furrow creased her forehead as she received the call with some second thoughts."Shaina?" Stefani's voice was clear, but an edge of surprise betrayed her tone. Rarely did Shaina call her."Hello, Stefani," Shaina said once she answered, the tenor of her voice just a tad guarded. "I hope I am not disturbing you.""Not at all," Stefani said, laying her fork down. "Is everything all right?"Shaina let out a soft sigh on the other end. "I just wanted to inform you that Shaira is leaving New York. She thought best to get away for some time."Stef
Jacob paced outside the emergency room, peering through a small window that gave him a general view of Stefani lying in bed, her complexion pale, her face contorted in a wave of agony as she grasped her stomach. The imagery of her in this manner, weak and in pain, made his chest constrict, his heart heavy with helplessness. It had all happened so suddenly, she had been okay one minute and was doubled over in pain the next. He hated that he could do nothing for her at the moment but wait.Behind the glass, Stefani shifted uncomfortably, her hands pressing into her swollen belly. She was pregnant, and they had been so excited, but now… Jacob swallowed hard, fighting back the rising fear. What if something was wrong with the baby? What if something happened to Stefani?Jacob hadn't noticed Summer and Steven hurry into the waiting room. Summer was the first to speak; her voice was soft yet laced with concern."Jacob, what happened?" she asked as she glanced from him to the door behind him
Stefani sat in the waiting room of the Ob-gyn that was becoming so familiar, her hand resting gently on her already visible belly. She and Jacob had known about the pregnancy, yet with every visit to the doctor came a mix of excitement and nerves. Still, this visit felt different.It was after a recent hospital scare, where Stefani had been rushed in for sharp pains, the doctor noticed something strange on her ultrasound: a small shape they couldn't quite explain. They'd been told to follow up today, and the air was thick with anticipation.Jacob sat beside her, his knee bouncing restlessly. He hadn't said much, but Stefani knew he was just as anxious as she was. His protective side had only grown stronger since the pregnancy, and every minute waiting felt like an eternity."Mrs. Hansley, we're ready for you," called the nurse.Stefani and Jacob rose, the friction between them nearly palpable as they followed her back to the exam room. The routine was familiar now, the cool gel, the h
The evening air hung softly around them as Stefani lay her head down on the couch, her legs propped up on a pillow per doctor's orders. The weight of the news had settled in since their return from the clinic, a sweet, sobering burden. Jacob was busy with himself in the kitchen, but she could feel his attention on her even when he was not in the room.He had been quiet on his way home, lost in thought, but since he got inside, his actions spoke volumes of his care: tidied the house with purpose, brought her water, and was checking on her constantly. Jacob had always been attentive, given his jammed schedule managing the company, but today it was different. News about the twins heightened his protective instincts tenfold.Stefani gave a resigned sigh, turning slightly to take some pressure off her back. She knew that even while being so attentive to her, Jacob himself still faced everything going on: the excitement of twins, and the fears about everything that could go wrong with the he
The ensuing weeks were a gentle balancing act between rest and caution as Jacob fitted into the role of doting husband and meticulous caretaker. Doctors had placed Stefani on bed rest for most of her days, and Jacob struggled to find a balance in his responsibilities between the company and those new ones that called him home. Yet, no matter how busy he was, Jacob never failed to be there for her.One late afternoon, when the sun was already setting, Jacob came into the bedroom where Stefani sat propped up on a pile of pillows, a book in hand. He'd just returned from the office, which means his tie was now loose, and his shirt sleeves were now rolled up, but his expression went soft the instant he saw her."You're back," Stefani said, closing her book and smiling up at him.Jacob smiled back and set his briefcase by the door before he sauntered over to the bed and leaned down to kiss her forehead, holding the kiss a fraction longer than normal. "How are you feeling?" "Better, actuall
A few weeks flew by, and Stefani, along with Jacob, found themselves at the Ob-gyn for their next check-up. Life had actually fallen into a rhythm since the last visit when they found out about twins and the risks associated. Jacob was still coddling her, making sure she rested and ate right, avoided stress, even though he had his busy routine going on. His love and care comforted him at all times, but today the nerves were back. This appointment felt critical.By the time they finally left the house, the sun had just begun to rise. The cool morning air surged through the car as Jacob drove them across town to the clinic, his hand resting protectively on Stefani's thigh the entire time. For the most part, the drive was silent, with an unspoken tension between them, neither one of them daring to voice the fears lurking in their minds."Are you okay?" Jacob finally asked, looking over at her.Stefani looked over at him, giving a small smile. "Yeah, just… an
It was an afternoon of peace, and Stefani found herself lying in the sunlit room of the living area, feet propped up with a pillow, her fingers delicately running over her belly. The news from their last check-up was already calm and full of joy, but she still had this tinge that something was bothering Jacob's mind. He had been extra caring for the last few days, even more than usual.Jacob sat at his desk, in the corner of the room, his laptop open but forgotten. He had been working on something when his phone noisily buzzed, cutting through the silence of the house. Stefani looked up, watched as Jacob glanced down at the screen and let out a sigh before answering."Primo," he muttered under his breath, more to himself than to her.Stefani straightened up a little further, interested. Jacob rarely spoke about his twin brother, Primo, or any of his family, for that matter. To date, she had never even met them. All she knew was that old money like Jacob's, legac
The days following Jacob's heated conversation with Primo were tense but relatively quiet. Jacob had thrown himself into work, his focus on managing the company. The prospect of confronting his grandfather about the inheritance was hanging heavily over him, but he had resolved to handle it on his own terms.On one somewhat busy afternoon, Jacob sat in his office, sorting through piles of documents until his phone rang. The name "Primo" flashed upon the screen, and Jacob answered with a sigh, already anticipating more family drama."Jacob," Primo's voice came through-measured, unlike before. "I've spoken with Grandpa. He's agreed to hear your offer, but he insists on hearing it in person."Jacob's grip on the phone tightened. "So, he wants me to fly out to Japan?""Yes," Primo confirmed. "He wants to discuss things face-to-face."Jacob's eyes narrowed, defiance sparking behind his gaze. "Fine, I'll be there in a few days. But let him know—I'll be bringing my wife with me."There was a