Chapter 30: Talk With Grandpa (1)

Everyone in the room was shocked to hear that familiar voice. They looked that way; Isaac Donovan sat on his bed, his gaze fixed on them.

“F-Father… You are awake!?” Jacob said in shock. 

“O-Old Master—” Nick whispered.

“Heaven!! Father…” Emma rushes to Old Donovan. It’s hard for her to believe her father looks so healthy, like he just woke up from his sleep. “T-This is a miracle. Truly a miracle. Oh. Father, I’m so happy you are finally awake, ” she cries, holding and kissing his hand.

Isaac Donovan gently smiled at Emma, then turned his gaze to a specific direction.

Jacob and the others also walk by the bed—only Bella and Nick who stood behind. 

Bella watched from the corner when all of them surrounded her Grandpa. She did not want to be scolded by them, and she also didn’t want to ruin the happy moment when her Grandpa finally awoke.

Not long after, Bella was shocked to hear her Grandfather ask everyone to leave the room. When she was about to leave, Nick stopped her. 

“Not you. You stay here, young miss…” Nick whisper. Even though she was confused, she returned to her spot and followed Nick’s advice.

…

“Father, why did you ask us out?” Jacob Donovan protested.

 “Yes, Dad. You’ve just woken up from a coma. We want to spend time with you,” Lucas said. 

“Brother, let’s ask the doctor to check Dad’s condition. I’m afraid Dad still feels uncomfortable. That’s why he asked us to get out,” Thomas Donovan said worriedly.

“I’m fine and healthy. There’s no need to call the doctor,” Old Donovan said while looking at his three sons one by one. His gaze radiated annoyance and disappointment, surprising Jacob and the others. 

“But father, what Thomas said was—” Jacob could not continue his sentence when he saw his father raise his hand to stop him speaking.

“Jacob, Lucas, and you, Thomas… I’m really disappointed with each and every one of you. I’m not dead yet, but none of you obeyed my clear orders.” Old Donovan said in a low, trembling voice. His disappointment was apparent in his tone.

The three brothers were perplexed by their father’s words. They exchanged confused looks and gazed back at their father, unable to grasp what had upset him.

“You want to know why I’m disappointed with you all!?” Old Donovan asked. 

The three of them nodded, looking confused.

“I told you not to blame Bella. Why do you keep blaming her? Why do you burden her with something so unreasonable?” Old Donovan asked. His eyes flashed with profound disappointment.

After several seconds of looking at them with deep disappointment, Old Donovan’s gaze slowly turned to Lucas. “You! I can’t believe you could hit your own flesh and blood like that. You’re just like an animal. I’m very disappointed in you, Lucas Donovan. Very disappointed!”

Lucas was surprised. He didn’t expect his father to find out he hit Bella.

‘Is he really in a coma?’ Lucas was confused. Their father was supposed to be in a coma and wouldn’t know what he had done earlier. Now Lucas suspected that his father had been awake all this time but had deliberately remained asleep.

Lucas was about to speak, but Old Donovan interrupted him before he could.

“And if Bella wants to break ties with you, she can still use Donovan after her name because that is my name, and keep in mind that I, and I alone, have the right to decide who would bear it, by my blood or by my will.” 

Bella feels warm inside her heart when he hears her Grandpa’s words. She smiles silently while lowering her gaze to her feet. She tries to hide her teary eyes. 

Lucas felt disappointed and annoyed when he heard his father’s words, clenching his fingers tightly. Still, he couldn’t say anything to deny it.

“Get out!” Old Donovan yelled in a trembling voice, surprising them all. When he saw everyone starting to walk out, he continued, “Except Bella and Nick, you both stay.”

Lucas and the others frowned. They couldn’t say anything but glanced at Bella suspiciously.

After the door closed, Bella finally stepped towards the bed. A warm and broad smile framed her beautiful face as she greeted her Grandpa. Old Donovan smiled at her; he opened his arms to embrace her. 

They embraced warmly to release their longing. 

Especially Bella was worried that her Grandfather might die because she was disappointed in her. That’s why she immediately came back when she found out that he was in a coma.

“Grandpa, you are really awesome handling them,” Bella said while sitting on the chair beside the bed. “Look the way you speak to them… I forgot that you were sick, Grandpa. You look healthy as before.”

When she saw her Grandpa smile meaningfully at Nick, Bella suddenly snapped in surprise.

“No way! Are you not sick? So… Y-You’re pretending to be sick all along?” Bella asked curiously.

Old Donovan’s smile widened as he took Bella’s hand and tapped it gently. “This is the only way to make you return, Bella. If I didn’t pretend to be in a coma, I’d bet you would stay in the cold country for another year, right!?” 

Bella was rendered speechless. She didn’t expect her Grandpa to trick her like this. Then, she turned to see Nick at the corner, but Nick tried to avoid her gaze. He excuses himself to clean the sitting area. 

She could only shake her head while chuckling, looking at her Grandpa again.

“You have a talent for acting, Grandpa. You really fool me and everyone.” 

“Bwahaha, I know. Well, I get help, you know. Thanks to my doctor and his team. Their help was beneficial to convince everyone,” Old Donovan said proudly. But later, his laugh faded when something crossed his mind. 

Old Donovan looked her in the eyes with mixed emotions. 

Before long, he said, “Bella, I’m sorry. My useless children were rude to you. They don’t deserve to be called uncles and fathers. Grandpa agrees if you want to sever a tie with them.”1