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
Stefani had never felt so out of her element as stepping off the plane in Japan. The crisp air held the unfamiliar scent of a new place, and everything around them felt like an adventure waiting to unfold. Despite the anticipation of meeting Jacob's family, especially his strict grandfather, being in a foreign country with him was exhilarating.As they emerged from the airport, Jacob reached out and gently took her hand. His jaw was tight, though his touch was soft to soothe the nerves between them. Stefani squeezed his hand softly, reminding herself they were in this together."I can't believe we are finally here," she said, looking on into the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.Jacob chuckled, though there was a note of strain in his voice. "Yeah. I just wish we weren't walking right into the lion's den."Stefani smiled, trying to lighten his mood. "I'll be fine. We'll be fine."As the car rolled down busy streets, the vibrant lights of Tokyo whizzing by, Stefani's stomach growled a loud,
The dining room was grand, and every component of it breathed refinement. The table was large enough to seat a board of an entire corporation and was set with fine specification dishes and utensils in place. But with all its grandeur, the air was thick with tension.Stefani sat next to Jacob and felt her heart pound against her chest. Thick silence weighed on her as servants quietly moved around them, serving dish after dish of traditional Japanese cuisine. The food looked amazing, but Stefani had barely touched her plate, her appetite overshadowed by the presence of Jacob's grandfather at the head of the table, who coldly flicked his gaze toward her time and time again.Jacob’s hand must have found hers under the table, for he gave her a reassuring squeeze. She glanced at him, thankful for the silent support. His calm demeanor, his steady presence, was all that kept her from crumbling.She took a deep breath once more, focusing on her surroundings rather than his dense scrutiny from
Stefani awoke early, and the soft morning light filtered through the curtains, gently illuminating the room. Jacob lay beside her, sleeping soundly, his arm protectively cast over her middle. She smiled, not wanting to awaken him, as she slipped from the bed. The house was still in these morning hours, and she felt the garden calling her outside for fresh air and a moment of solitude.She quickly dressed and slipped into a light sweater before tiptoeing out. The air was refreshing as she stepped outside, with the soft sounds of birds waking up, greeting the day. The garden stretched in expanse hedged with perfectly trimmed bushes and bright flowers dripping with dew. On its calming properties, the air carried the scent of jasmine.As she walked through the garden, in a dreamy fashion, toward the far end where a small stone bench sat facing the rising sun, she saw the quiet form of a man sitting and sipping from a delicate cup of coffee. Jacob's grandfather.She
Stefani whispered softly as she stepped into the room, her smile widened with Jacob still being asleep, his chest moving steadily up and down under the soft blanket. His face was all relaxed, a sight which was rarely seen in his often hectic schedule. She tiptoed over to the bed and slid back beneath the covers, not wanting to wake him right away. She lied beside him, could help but grin at the sight of him completely relaxed, dark hair all awry.Her hand reached out to pinch playfully, nipped gently with her fingers at his nose. His brows furrowed in confusion as he stirred but didn't wake. Biting back a giggle, she did the motion again, this time pulling on his ear."Mmm….what.?" Jacob mumbled, still half-asleep, his hand blindly reaching up to bat hers away.Stefani grinned mischievously and leaned closer, her voice a soft tease. "Jacob… wake up. you're missing the morning."He groaned, pulling the blanket higher over his head. "Five more minutes," he muttered, his voice muffled by
Jacob sat opposite his grandfather, Senior Hansley Carter, in the great, opulent study basked in low golden sunlight that streamed in through the high windows. The unease was palpable inside; the weight of what was about to ensue hung heavy in the air. Primo, Jacob's twin brother, stood silent off to one side with his arms crossed, observing his brother with a lookless face.The silence of the moment drew out, finally broken by Jacob, who leaned forward to speak. "You know why I'm here," he started off, quietly yet firmly.Senior Carter stayed seated, his hands neatly folded on his lap, his sharp and piercing eyes sizing Jacob up. He didn't respond immediately, awaiting Jacob to continue.Jacob took a deep breath. "I want the inheritance," he said flatly, his stare locked with his grandfather's. "But I won't give up Stefani to get it."Primo shifted slightly, his brow furrowed. He didn't interrupt, yet from the tension in his posture, he was as eager to know what was to follow.Senior
The crisp morning air was cool against Stefani’s skin as she and Jacob stood by the entrance of the grand estate, bags packed and ready to leave for the airport. The trip to Japan had been overwhelming, but also full of unexpected moments—particularly with Jacob’s grandfather.As they turned to leave, the heavy wooden door of the mansion creaked open behind them. Senior Hansley stepped out, his imposing figure framed by the doorway. His expression was as stern as ever, but there was something in his eyes that hinted at a softer undertone."You should visit again soon," he said, his voice low and gruff. His gaze shifted from Jacob to Stefani. His eyes lingered for a moment on her, then slowly dropped to her stomach.Stefani instinctively placed her hand on her tummy, her heart skipping a beat."I hope the next time you come, you’ll bring along my great-great-grandchildren," Senior Hansley added, his voice carrying a weight of expectation, yet it was softer, almost hopeful.Stefani blin
It was already bright when Stefani woke up. The daylight shining through the sheer curtains flooded the room with light, creating streams of gentleness and warmth on her bed. She opened her eyes and stretched out, finding the bed beside her empty. Jacob was already awake.She sat up straight, rubbed some sleep from her eyes, and took in the room. The quiet hum of morning outside was peaceful-sounding, almost idyllic. But still, she couldn't help but wonder where Jacob went. She slipped out of bed, pulling a light robe around her and padding towards the door. As she stepped into the hall, the faint scent of coffee reached her, and a small smile lined her lips.Jacob stood in the kitchen, downstairs; she watched him from where she stood, back to her as he busied himself pouring steaming coffee into two cups. His lips curled into a relaxed smile, and his hair was still somewhat tousled from sleep. It was such a simple, homey scene, it made her heart swell with warmth. She approached him