Chapter 8 Just Lies
Sloane's POV
Hurried footsteps came from behind me. Before I could turn around, someone grabbed my arm.
I looked back. It was Jared.
"Sloane." His deep voice carried a hint of apology. "Just now... I was too impulsive. I'm sorry."
I shook off his hand coolly. "No need to apologize. I can't accept it."
He seemed stung by my coldness. After a moment of silence, he pulled out a black card from his pocket and held it out to me. "Take this. The password is your birthday. Buy whatever you want. Don't shortchange yourself."
Here we go again. Always trying to make up for things with money.
I looked at that black card that represented unlimited spending and couldn't help but laugh softly.
Did he think money could smooth over everything, cancel out all the hurt and grievances?
"I don't need it," I refused coldly.
"Take it." But he stubbornly grabbed my hand and forcefully pressed the card into my palm, not allowing me to refuse.
"I'll take you back to the estate." Without another word, he pulled me toward the elevator.
I finally couldn't help but turn back, my lips curling into a mocking smile. "What? Your first love doesn't need you anymore?"
Jared's steps halted. He looked at me, his eyes flickering. I couldn't read the emotion in them. "Keira has Isabelle taking care of her."
I laughed coldly to myself.
Right. Keira had my mother's love, had him—her childhood sweetheart—anxiously protecting her. And me? I was a pitiful creature with nothing.
We drove back to the car in silence.
The car had just left the hospital when Jared's phone rang.
He glanced at the caller ID, his brow immediately furrowing, and answered the call.
Mrs. Montclair's vigorous scolding came through the phone. Even through the receiver, I could hear it crystal clear.
"Jared! You little bastard, where did you drag Sloane off to in the middle of the night? Did you go see that Winslow woman again? I'm telling you, right now! Immediately! Bring Sloane back here!"
"Grandma, don't get upset, I..."
"I don't care! I'm giving you half an hour. If I don't see Sloane, I'll go to the Winslow house myself to get her!" The old lady didn't give him a chance to explain and hung up.
Jared irritably tossed his phone aside and rubbed his temples.
He looked at me. Before he could speak, I said first, "I'll cooperate with you in this act."
At least I knew that the old lady's health couldn't handle any stress right now.
Back at the estate, the living room was brightly lit.
Mrs. Montclair sat on the sofa with a stern face, while the maid Mary stood to the side, not daring to breathe.
As soon as she saw us come in, the old lady's sharp gaze immediately swept over.
"Grandma." Jared spoke reluctantly.
But Mrs. Montclair ignored him completely, walked straight to me, took my hand and looked me up and down. "Sloane, are you okay? Did he bully you?"
I shook my head, warmth flowing through my heart.
After confirming I was fine, the old lady turned around and glared at Jared, holding out her hand: "Give me your phone!"
Jared hesitated, but still handed over his phone.
Mrs. Montclair took the phone, efficiently found Keira's number, and dialed it directly on speaker.
The phone rang a few times before being answered. Keira's soft voice came through: "Jared..."
"It's me." The old lady coldly interrupted her.
Keira on the other end was clearly stunned. After a long pause, she spoke timidly, "Mrs. Montclair..."
"I don't care if you're really sick or faking it, stay away from my grandson from now on!" The old lady's voice was authoritative and decisive. "The Montclair family doesn't welcome ungrateful women like you who only scheme behind people's backs! If you dare to pester Jared again and ruin his relationship with Sloane, don't blame this old woman for being rude to you!"
With that, she didn't give the other party a chance to respond and hung up directly.
"Grandma!" Jared's face looked terrible. "How could you say that! Keira is still a patient!"
"A patient?" Mrs. Montclair laughed coldly and threw the phone back at him. "I think she's quite sick—sick enough to make you lose your mind. Jared, I'm warning you, Sloane is your wife, the granddaughter-in-law of the Montclair family. If you dare let that woman make Sloane suffer even a little bit again, get out of this house!"
Jared gripped his phone tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hand. Suppressing his anger, he said in a low voice: "Keira's situation is very special. She can't handle any more stress. We should be more understanding with her."
"Understanding? Why should we?" The old lady was so angry her chest heaved. "Just because she can cry and make a fuss and play the victim?"
Seeing the tension between grandmother and grandson growing, Mrs. Montclair suddenly clutched her chest, her face paling, her body swaying. "Oh... my blood pressure... it's high..."
"Grandma!" Jared's expression changed.
"Sloane..." The old lady reached out to me, her breathing weak. "Quick, help me back to my room to rest."
I immediately stepped forward and supported her.
I carefully helped Mrs. Montclair back to her bedroom.
Jared tried to follow, but was stopped at the door by the old lady's stern look.
Mary also tactfully withdrew and gently closed the door.
"Grandma, how do you feel? Should I call a doctor?" I looked worriedly at her pale face and reached out to feel her forehead.
But the old woman who had seemed so weak just moments ago sat down on the bed, and her face immediately became rosy again.
She showed no signs of illness at all, looking spirited as she patted my hand. "I'm fine, just angry at that foolish boy."
I was stunned for a moment, then understood. The old lady had been acting just now.
"Silly child, did I scare you?" Mrs. Montclair pulled me to sit down, her eyes full of affection and apology. "If I didn't do that, I couldn't control him. That boy Jared is good in every way, except he can't think straight when it comes to relationships. He's easily manipulated."
We both knew who the "person" she meant was.
"Sloane, don't be afraid." She gripped my hand tightly, warmth flowing from her palm. "You are the properly married granddaughter-in-law of the Montclair family. As long as I'm alive, I won't let you be wronged."
A warm current surged through my heart, and my nose tingled slightly.
In all my life, except for Lila, this was the first time someone had stood so firmly on my side, backing me up.
This affection was so precious it almost made me want to sink into it.
But I knew clearly in my heart that all of this was built on the lie that I was still Jared's wife. Once Jared and I divorced, I would no longer have the right to enjoy this protection.