Unloved Unwanted Unstoppable (Seraphina and Dominic) novel Chapter 128

Gideon withdrew his hand, his expression unreadable.

He glanced toward the front seat and ordered smoothly, "Turn up the heat."

The driver murmured an acknowledgment. Seconds later, a rush of hot, dry air blasted from the vents, wrapping around Seraphina and aggressively chasing the chill from her skin.

Sitting there, she finally felt her trembling subside.

When she looked up again, Gideon was holding out a steaming cup of water, freshly poured from a sleek thermos.

Seraphina murmured her thanks, taking the cup with both hands. She took a few sips, the warmth sliding down her throat and settling comfortably in her stomach.

But her clothes were still plastered to her skin, sending phantom shivers deep into her bones.

She pulled out another tissue, carefully wiping the stray droplets from her knuckles.

Then, a heavy jacket was draped across her lap.

It was a dark charcoal gray, impeccably tailored, carrying a faint, clean scent.

Seraphina looked up, her gaze meeting Gideon's.

He held her stare, his tone perfectly even. "Put it on. Don't catch a cold."

Seraphina hesitated. "Mr. Cole, this is..."

"Whether you are a business partner or an employee, it is basic human decency to ensure you don't freeze to death," Gideon replied, nudging the jacket closer. His voice carried no particular inflection. "Besides, I actually have a favor to ask you. If you get sick, it delays my plans."

Seraphina studied him for a second longer before giving up the fight. She took the jacket and pulled it snugly over her shoulders.

The thick fabric trapped the heat perfectly, an instant wave of comfort washing away the lingering dampness of the storm.

She pulled the lapels tighter around her chest.

Just minutes ago, Dominic had stood in the freezing downpour and demanded she strip off her jacket, leaving her humiliated and shivering.

Seraphina leaned back into the leather seat, letting the dry heat finish the job of evaporating the cold from her skin.

Gideon sat quietly beside her for a long time before breaking the silence. "My grandmother hasn't had much of an appetite lately. She hasn't been eating well. She said she wants your noodles."

Seraphina turned to look at him.

Gideon was staring straight ahead, his tone casual. "If it isn't too much trouble, could you find the time to come over and cook a meal for her? I'll compensate you for your time."

Seraphina instantly thought of Beatrice.

She remembered the elderly woman sitting quietly on her sofa, happily slurping down a simple bowl of noodles, finishing every last drop of the broth.

The next morning, the sweet old woman had even washed her bowl.

A woman struggling with Alzheimer's, yet in her lucid moments, she still remembered to wash her dishes and express her gratitude.

"No money needed," Seraphina shook her head. "I'll just go. If she wants to eat, I'll cook."