Chapter 33

"Jacob, why do you have my painting here?" she asked, pointing at the portrait.

"It's not your painting, Katara," Jacob said, his voice low and hesitant. "It's a portrait of my late wife, Emily."

Katara felt a pang of guilt for assuming the painting was of her. She had never met Jacob's wife but knew that she had passed away before they had met. "I'm sorry, Jacob. I didn't mean to assume."

"It's alright, Katara," Jacob said, his voice gentle. "I should have told you about it before. I keep it here to remind me of her."

Katara nodded, understanding the sentiment. "She was beautiful," she said, admiring the painting.

"Yes, she was," Jacob said, his eyes drifting to the painting. "But you are beautiful too, Katara."

Katara blushed, feeling a warmth spread through her body. She had always found Jacob attractive, but she had kept her feelings in check. She was carrying Sean's child, after all, and she didn't want to complicate things.

But as she looked at Jacob, she couldn't deny the attra