Chapter 130: Her Daughter's Custody
Isabella hadn't expected Jay to agree so readily, so seeing the stunned expression on William's face gave her a surge of satisfaction.
"Did you think Grandfather would unconditionally support you no matter what you did? You were wrong."
In that moment, Isabella truly understood the fundamental difference between herself and the man standing before her.
William had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, the only male heir of his generation in the Montagu family, destined from birth to bear the burden of inheriting the family legacy. He'd received an elite education, been cherished and protected by everyone around him. William had never tasted failure.
Whatever he wanted—whether through money or power—ultimately became his.
But this time, William had lost.
Isabella looked down at William with eyes full of pity.
"Still fantasizing that you can use your power to imprison me? Apart from Laura, who else would care about what you have to offer?"
Isabella could support herself financially, and this marriage had taught her the painful reality of their unequal status.
Even if Laura had been the one to marry into the Montagu family six years ago instead of her, she wouldn't have fared any better.
"Even if Laura marries you, you'll end up in exactly the same situation we're in now."
The Montagu family's bone-deep arrogance, the way they looked at people as if they were slum dwellers—no one could endure that indefinitely.
After Isabella finished speaking, William finally moved. He braced himself against the sofa and slowly stood up, lips pressed tightly together, clearly intending to go upstairs and question Jay.
Jay had always wanted the best for them. Six years ago, he'd been the one to override all objections and force William to marry Isabella.
How could he possibly give up on them now?
Isabella watched William's stubborn posture and let out a cold laugh.
"We've been married for six years. Grandfather spent five of those years in Valeria, but based on just one year of knowing me and tonight's conversation—less than half an hour—he could see exactly how much I've suffered in this marriage."
"As my husband, you noticed absolutely nothing. What right do you have to keep pursuing this, William?"
Rather than calling that house their home, it would be more accurate to describe it as Isabella's personal prison.
When William wasn't there, Isabella faced nothing but an enormous empty house, driving the children to and from school, with nothing to occupy her time except household chores.
"How much suffering?" William sounded as if he'd heard the most ridiculous joke imaginable. He slowly turned to look at Isabella, his dark eyes filled with skepticism.
"You can spend whatever you want, however much you want, without anyone questioning you. The house is in the best neighborhood in Seaside City. Do you know how many people would kill for what you have?"
In terms of material conditions, what William could provide Isabella was among the finest in Seaside City.
But that wasn't what Isabella wanted.
"Yes, you gave me money, you gave me a luxurious lifestyle, but because of your contempt, I could never truly belong to your world. I had no friends in your circle, and in the eyes of people in your social sphere, I was nothing but a decorative object you kept at home!"
Remembering the past, Isabella found it impossible not to feel angry.
The rage in her chest expanded rapidly, making her heart ache with the pressure.
"From the moment I married you, your mother strictly forbade me from maintaining contact with my old friends, claiming it was to protect the Montagu family's reputation. I'm sick of being a trophy wife displayed in a glass case for others to admire!"
It was only after being abandoned on that mountain and discovering her husband's affair that Isabella realized she needed to live—to exist as an independent person with dignity.
After venting her frustration, Isabella's voice became calm again, though heavy with exhaustion: "Grandfather has already said he agrees to our divorce. What's left for you to fight about?"
To divorce William, Isabella had exhausted every possible avenue, like a caged bird desperately seeking freedom.
Even if she emerged battered and bruised, Isabella wouldn't stop struggling.
William stared at Isabella. After a moment of silence, he curled his lips in a mocking smile.
"How long are you going to keep using these pathetic manipulation tactics?"
He'd already offered her an apology on a silver platter—what more could she possibly want?
William felt Isabella was being utterly greedy.
"Since you've managed to get Grandfather's approval, we'll file the paperwork immediately after the cooling-off period ends."
William spoke rapidly, then paused before adding with a sharp turn: "But don't come crying to me later, begging for reconciliation."
Isabella breathed a sigh of relief. Hearing him agree to the divorce was already more than enough.
"I don't want anything in terms of property division. I won't touch a penny of your money. Nathan's custody goes to you, but Olivia must stay with me."
This had been Isabella's unwavering position for a long time.
She absolutely refused to leave Olivia in this profoundly unfair, even dysfunctional family.
Laura would never lay a finger on her daughter!
"Olivia carries Montagu blood. You're not taking her anywhere."
The issue had circled back to the starting point. William and Isabella were once again locked in conflict over Olivia's custody.
Neither would yield, and they found themselves deadlocked once more.
Just then, footsteps echoed behind them, accompanied by the sound of a walking stick hitting the floor.
Jay slowly descended the stairs, having overheard their argument.
"Olivia's custody goes to Isabella."
With a single sentence, Jay ended their dispute. William opened his mouth to argue, to defend himself.
But one icy glare from Jay silenced him instantly.
Though Jay was no longer actively running the family business, he wielded absolute authority within the Montagu household. Everyone respected and deferred to him.
Most importantly, William was terrified of upsetting Jay and triggering another health episode.
"Isabella, take Olivia and go home. Drive carefully." Jay waved dismissively at Isabella, his disappointment in his grandson now complete.
What had once been a beautiful family had been torn apart by one man's moment of selfish weakness, ending in this tragic separation.
Isabella quietly thanked him, then went to the nanny's room to collect Olivia before leaving the Montagu estate.
Olivia held Isabella's hand and looked back curiously at the grand house.
"Mommy, are we never coming back here again?"
Isabella gently touched Olivia's small face. "If you want to, you can always come back to visit your great-grandfather."