Chapter 436

Xara gazed into Jacob’s deep blue eyes and spoke softly. “You’ve changed a lot in the past five years, but your eyes are still as beautiful as they were back then.”

“Thanks for the compliment,” Jacob replied. He seemed unsure about interacting further with Xara, the mother who had been absent from his life for five years.

He glanced at Esther and reminded her, “The driver is ready.”

Esther extended the bouquet of flowers to Xara and said, “Xara, these were personally picked by Jacob.”

Taking the flowers, Xara looked at Jacob with a touch of guilt. “Thank you, Jacob. I really like them.”

Jacob turned away and walked off quickly, showing indifference.

An indescribable pain filled Xara’s heart. She tried to speak but struggled to find the right words.

Feeling Xara’s emotional turmoil, Esther gently patted her shoulder and comforted her, “Give it time.”

“Esther…” Xara’s voice choked.

Esther watched Jacob’s frail figure and the helplessness in Xara’s eyes when faced with her son. “He’ll be able to understand you, Xara.”

The car that came to pick up Xara was still one from the Sandersons.

As Xara stepped out, the driver respectfully took her suitcase and inquired softly, “Madam, how have you been?”

“Thank you for your concern. I’ve been fine.”

Esther purposely sat in the passenger seat, giving her seat next to Jacob to Xara.

Neither Xara nor Jacob spoke. Instead, they both turned their heads to look out the car windows at the passing scenery. Their physical proximity was close, yet emotionally, they felt as distant as if separated by mountains and oceans.

As a psychologist, Xara was usually adept at quickly establishing rapport with her patients. Despite her knowledge, she did not know how to bridge the five-year gap that had formed between her and Jacob.

The car gradually entered the Sandersons’ territory.

Xara’s heart leaped to her throat.

Five years had passed, but the same fear from before was still deeply etched into her body. Even her soul trembled slightly.

She tried to contain herself, but it was in vain.

Finally, the car stopped in front of the castle that seemed to be inhabited by ghosts.

Xara took a deep breath, gnashed her teeth, and heavily pushed open the car door.

She walked extremely mechanically, entering the castle where she had bled, cried, and lost her sanity.

“Madam, Mr. Sanderson is waiting for you in the study,” the butler informed.

Xara’s voice trembled as she replied, “Alright.”

Without needing the butler’s guidance, Xara headed to the study.

Jacob seemed like he wanted to follow, but the butler’s gentle voice stopped him. “Mr. Jacob, Mr. Steffan wants you to check if anything needs to be added to the room prepared for Madam.

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gaze darkened.

Jacob’s gaze Although Esther did not know the full extent of Xara and Steffan’s past, she knew that Steffan did not want Jacob to be involved in the matters between them for now.

“Jacob, trust your parents. They are adults and can handle their relationship.”

Jacob looked at Esther with his eyes filled with puzzlement. Quietly, he asked himself if everything he had done was the right choice.