Chapter 5 Divorce, Must Be Delayed
Sloane's POV
After saying that, I ignored her and walked straight toward the stairs.
"What kind of attitude is that?" Isabelle's voice rose sharply behind me, full of harsh accusation. "Taking millions worth of gifts from Jared, and now putting on this high-and-mighty act for who? Sloane, let me tell you, don't be so ungrateful!"
I stopped and turned around wearily. Looking at her face twisted with anger, I just felt sick. Arguments and explanations seemed completely pointless at this moment.
"Don't worry," I looked at her coldly. "After the divorce, I'll convert all these things into cash and transfer every penny to Keira's account. Are you satisfied now?"
The anger on Isabelle's face froze, as if she hadn't expected me to say that.
Keira beside her quickly grabbed her arm. "Mom, don't talk to Sloane like that. She didn't mean it. Since Jared gave these things, they belong to Sloane now." She turned to me, her face showing fake apology. "Sloane, don't take it to heart. Mom just speaks her mind."
I looked at their display of mother-daughter affection and sneered inwardly.
If she really thought that way, she wouldn't have deliberately pointed out where the gifts came from earlier.
Isabelle was clearly satisfied with my proposal. Her expression softened, and she snorted, "That's more like it. The Winslow family can't take advantage of such unclear situations."
I was too tired to watch their mother-daughter act anymore. I turned and quickly went upstairs, completely shutting out their voices behind me.
For the next few days, I locked myself in my room, barely coming out except for meals.
The Winslow house felt colder to me than a hotel.
That afternoon, Jared suddenly called.
I hesitated for a moment, then swiped to answer.
"It's me." His deep voice came through the receiver.
"What is it?" My tone was distant.
I heard silence on the other end for a few seconds, then he said, "Grandma wants to see you. She's feeling better today and keeps asking about you."
My heart stirred, thinking of the kind old lady at the hospital.
"I'm going to the estate this afternoon to see her. Can you... come with me?" Jared's tone was different from usual.
I understood what he meant.
Mrs. Montclair still thought we were a loving couple. If only he went, it would probably raise the old lady's suspicions and worry.
"Send me the address, I'll be there soon." I finally agreed.
Half an hour later, I arrived at the Montclair family estate following the address.
Unlike the modern villa where Jared and I lived, this was a classical estate full of history. The huge wrought iron gate slowly opened to reveal a vast, neatly trimmed lawn and lush rose garden.
Jared was already waiting at the entrance. Today he wore a casual gray cashmere sweater, less sharp than his business look, more gentle and homey.
Seeing me, he came forward, his gaze lingering on me for a moment, then naturally reached out to take my bag.
I instinctively stepped aside, saying lightly, "I can manage."
His hand froze in mid-air, then he casually withdrew it and turned to lead the way. "Grandma's in the upstairs room."
We walked one after another down the corridor covered with thick carpet, neither of us speaking. The atmosphere was quiet and somewhat oppressive.
Pushing open a heavy wooden door, warm sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The room was spacious and bright.
Mrs. Montclair was leaning against the bed, with a maid peeling an apple beside her.
"Grandma." Jared spoke first.
Mrs. Montclair looked up at the sound, and the moment she saw me, her pale face immediately lit up with a smile. "Sloane! You're here!"
She struggled to sit up. I quickly walked over and gently pressed her shoulder. "Grandma, don't move, just lie down."
"Good child, come sit here." She warmly patted the spot beside the bed, holding my hand tightly, her eyes full of genuine affection.
I sat down as she asked. She studied me carefully, saying with concern, "Where have you been these past few days? Look at you, you seem to have lost weight."
"I..." I was at a loss for words, not knowing how to answer.
"She stayed at the Winslow house for a few days." Jared answered for me.
As soon as he finished speaking, the smile on Mrs. Montclair's face immediately faded. She turned to look at Jared. "Stayed at the Winslow house? Did you two fight? Are you separating?"
The old lady's rapid-fire questions caught Jared off guard. He opened his mouth but couldn't say anything. It was the first time I'd seen him look so helpless.
Seeing this, afraid the old lady's emotions would affect her condition, I quickly explained with a smile, "No, Grandma, I just missed home and went back to see my mother and sister. I'll go back in a couple of days."
Hearing this, Mrs. Montclair's expression softened, but she still glared at Jared disapprovingly. "And you, when Sloane goes to stay at the Winslow house, why didn't you go with her? That's not right."
She pulled my hand and Jared's hand together, placing them on the back of her hand, and earnestly instructed, "You two have been married for three years now. You need to work on your relationship. Grandma is still waiting to hold her great-grandchild! You need to hurry up."
I instinctively tried to pull my hand back, but Jared held it firmly.
His palm was warm and dry, the heat transferring through our skin.
My body stiffened. I looked up at him, but he avoided my gaze, only responding gently to Grandma, "I know, Grandma."
Just then, the maid Mary came in carrying medicine. "Mrs. Montclair, it's time for your medicine."
After taking her medicine, Mrs. Montclair seemed a bit tired, but still held my hand, unwilling to let go. "Don't leave today. Stay at the estate. I still have so much to talk to you about."
I looked at Jared somewhat awkwardly.
But Jared readily agreed, "Alright, we'll stay here tonight to keep you company."
After settling Grandma to sleep, we walked out of the room one after another.
In the corridor, I finally couldn't help but speak, lowering my voice to ask him, "Is Grandma's illness really that serious?"
"From what I can tell, the old lady's heart failure was serious, but after yesterday's emergency treatment, she should bounce back pretty quickly with the right meds and rest. She shouldn't still be this weak."
Jared's steps paused. He turned around, his tall figure casting a shadow in the corridor's dim light.
He looked at me. I couldn't make out the complex emotions in his eyes.
"The doctor said Grandma's heart can't handle any stress." After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke. "Any major emotional fluctuation could trigger heart failure again."
I immediately understood what he meant.
"So..."
"So," he interrupted me, his gaze heavy as he looked at me, his voice even lower than before, "our divorce... needs to be postponed for now."