Chapter 127: I'm Old, Not Stupid
The moment Isabella heard that Jay Montagu had returned, her heart skipped a beat.
The Montagu family had always looked down on Isabella, considering her a gold-digger who had wormed her way into the family through underhanded means. They'd always kept their guard up around her, terrified she might actually benefit from the family wealth.
Isabella and William's wedding—one that received no one's blessing—had only one person who genuinely wished them happiness: Jay. He'd even given Isabella an expensive wedding gift.
When Isabella gave birth, Jay had personally arranged for her care after she left the delivery room, ensuring every small detail was handled with the utmost attention.
Among all the Montagus, Jay was the only one Isabella truly respected. Unfortunately, his poor health meant that shortly after Nathan and Olivia were born, he'd been forced to seek treatment abroad.
Five years had passed. Isabella and William's marriage had reached its end, and now, in these final moments, Jay had suddenly returned home.
Standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows in her office, Isabella gripped her phone tighter in her right hand. "Alright."
Though Jay hadn't been in the country, he called every year for Nathan and Olivia's birthdays and major holidays, never forgetting to send them gifts.
Even though the children had never met him in person, they both adored their great-grandfather.
When Isabella arrived home, Mary had already picked up Olivia and was cooking in the kitchen. Isabella went straight to the nursery, where she found Olivia sitting properly at her little desk, drawing.
Isabella pulled a pretty dress from the closet and lifted Olivia down to change her clothes.
"Mommy, why are you changing my clothes? Are we going somewhere?" Olivia asked curiously.
"Great-grandfather came home today. He wants us to visit Montagu Manor."
Olivia immediately jumped up with excitement. "Oh wow! Great-grandfather only calls us on the phone—I really want to meet him!"
Isabella drove Olivia to the shopping center, where they selected appropriate gifts for an elderly gentleman.
The Montagu family certainly didn't lack for money, and Jay especially didn't need material things—he received plenty of gifts from various people throughout the year. But Isabella couldn't neglect basic courtesy.
Carrying the gifts, they returned to Montagu Manor. As soon as Isabella pushed open the door, the house felt strangely empty.
Given that Jay had returned, it shouldn't have been so quiet.
After walking a few more steps inside, Isabella finally heard Jay and William talking. Apart from them, the rest of the Montagu family seemed to be absent.
When Olivia first saw Jay in person, she became shy and hid behind Isabella, not daring to approach him.
William frowned slightly. "You said you wanted to see him when we talked on the phone. Why are you being shy now?"
Jay glared at William. "The little girl is bashful—that's perfectly normal!"
He then nodded to the caregiver who attended to him. She quickly understood and brought out a large box from his room.
"This is a special gift Great-grandfather prepared just for Olivia. I wonder if she'll like it?"
After his surgery in Valeria and several years of recovery, Jay looked vibrant and alert—much better than when he'd left Seaside City.
When Olivia saw the Barbie doll set Jay had brought out, she immediately ran over with delight and began playing with him.
Isabella pressed her lips together and quietly sat to Jay's right, with William on his left, the two of them flanking the elderly man.
Jay merely glanced at them briefly without saying anything, maintaining a mild smile on his face.
During dinner, Jay devoted all his attention to entertaining Olivia, completely ignoring William and Isabella.
Isabella's tense nerves began to relax somewhat.
She'd been worried that news of her impending divorce from William might upset Jay.
From the looks of it, Jay hadn't noticed anything unusual between them, which was probably for the best.
After dinner, the caregiver brought Jay his daily medications right on schedule.
Leaning back against the sofa, Jay sighed softly. "The doctors say my condition has stabilized, but I'll need medication for the rest of my life. I guess I really am getting old."
William quickly handed him a glass of warm water, looking at Jay with some reproach. "You're going to live much longer. With modern medicine being so advanced, everything will be fine."
Jay could hear the consolation in William's words. After chuckling twice, he suddenly reached out to pat Olivia's head.
"I need to discuss something with your parents upstairs. Olivia, stay here and play with the caregiver for now."
With that, Jay gave them both a meaningful look, stood up with his hands behind his back, and slowly walked toward the elevator to go up to the second-floor study.
His expression was extremely serious. Isabella immediately felt nervous, her heart racing faster.
Had Jay already figured out something was wrong?
Though Jay had aged and his eyes appeared slightly cloudy, he remained sharp as a hawk when it came to many matters.
"Well? What's going on between you two?" he asked directly.
William still tried to deflect. "Nothing's wrong, Grandfather. Are you overthinking things again?"
Jay looked up and glared at William. "Are you like all those other damn fools, thinking you can humor me just because I'm old?"
"Let me tell you something—I may be old, but I haven't become senile! I can see exactly what's happening between you two with one glance! Don't think you can deceive me!"
How could Jay not recognize when a relationship was in trouble?
They'd married due to an unplanned pregnancy, but in the early days of their marriage, they'd at least maintained mutual respect.
After five years, Jay discovered they wouldn't even bother pretending anymore! They were already showing such distance in front of the child and him.
"Isabella, I know William very well. Whatever's happening between you two, tell me everything. If you've suffered any grievances, then he's in the wrong, and I'll see that justice is done—I'll give him the scolding he deserves!"
Jay's anger made him slam the desk with a loud bang, his gaze fixed intently on Isabella, demanding an answer from her.
Under his scrutiny, Isabella felt somewhat guilty.
If she told the truth, she worried Jay's body couldn't handle it. If she lied, she couldn't fool him.
For Isabella, this situation was truly more difficult to resolve than any challenge she'd ever faced.
"Grandfather..." Isabella looked at Jay with difficulty.
Should she tell him or not?