His Pretend Wife, His Forbidden Desire

Chapter Three

The Parker estate was nothing short of breathtaking—grand chandeliers, marble floors, and walls adorned with sophisticated artwork. Despite its elegance, Isabella Winter sat on one of the luxurious couches, feeling slightly out of place.

A maid, dressed in a crisp black and white uniform, stood nearby. "Mr. Parker will be with you shortly, Miss Winter."

Isabella nodded, smoothing her palms over her lap. She wasn’t nervous—just curious about how today would unfold.

Upstairs, Diane stood in front of a full-length mirror, twirling in excitement as her nanny, Mrs. Collins, adjusted the final touches on her dress.

The gown was a dream—soft layers of pink and lavender tulle cascaded down in a gentle flow, shimmering under the light. Tiny silver beads traced the bodice, and a delicate tiara sat atop her neatly styled hair. Her curls had been gathered into a high bun, leaving her soft bangs to frame her bright, eager eyes.

She clutched her stuffed bunny close. "Nana, do I look like a real princess?"

Mrs. Collins chuckled, fastening a tiny bracelet around her wrist. "Even more, my love."

Just then, Jason walked in, his usual composed demeanor softening slightly as he took in his daughter’s appearance.

"You look beautiful, peanut."

Diane giggled, swaying side to side. "And my fake mommy? Is she here?"

Jason nodded. "She’s waiting downstairs."

Diane gasped, her entire face lighting up. She made a move for the door, but Jason held up a hand.

"Not yet. I’ll bring her to you."

She huffed but nodded, playing with her bunny’s ears.

Downstairs, Jason stepped into the living room. Isabella stood up immediately, offering a polite smile.

"Good morning, Mr. Parker."

Jason barely acknowledged the greeting. His gaze swept over her, and his brows pulled together.

"You’re wearing that?"

Isabella blinked. "Excuse me?"

Jason sighed. "This is a tea party, not a coffee run. You need to dress the part."

Isabella’s lips parted slightly in disbelief. "I wasn’t given a dress code."

Ignoring her, Jason turned toward the hallway. "Martha, get her changed. Something appropriate."

Before Isabella could argue, a housemaid stepped forward. "Please, Miss Winter, this way."

With a reluctant sigh, Isabella followed, muttering under her breath about how ridiculous this was.

Fifteen minutes later, she stepped back into the living room—completely transformed.

Diane, who had just made her way downstairs, came to an abrupt stop.

Her big brown eyes widened. "Oh... wow."

Even Jason hesitated for a second before composing himself.

Isabella stood before them in an elegant dress of soft pink and lilac, flowing effortlessly around her frame. The sheer sleeves gave it a delicate touch, and the small silver tiara nestled in her dark curls made her look every bit like a storybook princess.

Jason cleared his throat. "Much better."

Diane, still staring, clutched her bunny tighter.

"You look like a real princess," she whispered.

Isabella smiled warmly. "And you look like the queen of all princesses."

Diane giggled, then gasped as if she had just remembered something.

"Wait right here!"

She dashed behind the couch and returned with another stuffed bunny—this one yellow.

Holding it out shyly, she said, "This is for you."

Isabella let out a soft laugh, touched by the gesture. She knelt slightly, accepting the bunny with both hands.

"Thank you, Princess Diane. I love it."

Diane beamed. Overcome with excitement, she leaned in and placed a quick kiss on Isabella’s forehead before blushing and running to Jason’s side.

Jason glanced between them, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. Then, clearing his throat, he gestured toward the door.

"Let’s go. We’re running late."

With that, the three of them headed out—one looking excited, one looking amused, and one looking like he still couldn’t believe any of this was happening.

---

As they stepped onto the polished stone pathway leading into the school, Isabella’s grip on Diane’s hand tightened slightly.

"Whoa," she murmured, eyes widening as she took in the towering glass-paneled building, the cascading water fountain, and the perfectly manicured garden. "This school looks like a five-star resort."

Diane giggled, swinging their joined hands. "Daddy says only the best is good for me."

Isabella chuckled. "I don’t doubt that."

Around them, luxury cars rolled up smoothly, dropping off impeccably dressed children with their equally stylish mothers. The soft murmur of conversations and laughter filled the air, but Isabella quickly noticed something else—the stares.

Heads turned as they walked past. Whispered conversations picked up. A few women gave polite smiles, but most just looked.

Diane tilted her head up. “They’re staring at us,” she whispered, amusement flickering in her voice.

“Ignore them,” Isabella whispered back with a small smile.

A pair of clicking heels approached, and a stunning brunette in a tailored pastel suit stopped in front of them. She had the kind of effortless elegance that came with old money, and her ice-blue eyes sparkled with interest.

“My goodness,” the woman breathed, taking them both in. “You two look absolutely gorgeous.”

Diane preened, adjusting her tiara. Isabella smiled. “That’s very kind of you. Thank you.”

The woman’s gaze softened as she looked at Diane. “Your daughter is just stunning.”

Isabella hesitated for half a second before smoothing over her expression. “Yours too,” she replied, glancing at the little girl by the woman’s side in an equally dazzling dress.

The woman smiled warmly. “It’s nice to finally see Jason Parker’s family at one of these events.”

Isabella felt her stomach drop, but she kept her face composed. Beside her, Diane squeezed her hand, barely holding back a giggle.

“Well,” the woman continued, glancing toward the entrance, “shall we head inside? I’m sure the girls are excited.”

Isabella nodded, giving Diane a small wink before they followed the woman toward the entrance.

Jason Parker’s family.

This was going to be very interesting.

---

Isabella adjusted the tiny porcelain teacup in Diane’s hands, her eyes twinkling. “Pinkies up, Your Highness,” she teased.

Diane giggled, extending her pinky dramatically. “Like this?”

“Perfect,” Isabella said, matching her pose.

Across the table, two little girls gasped. “Ooooh, Diane, your mommy is so pretty,” one of them gushed.

Diane beamed. “I know! And she’s fun too!”

Isabella laughed softly, opening her mouth to respond when a vibration in her purse caught her attention. She frowned, pulling it out.

New Email: Jason Parker

Her stomach tightened. She quickly tapped the message open.

Subject: Diane’s Medical Condition – Important

Isabella Winter,

Diane has Type 1 Diabetes. She wears a wireless insulin pump on her thigh. Check her blood sugar if she appears weak, dizzy, or irritable—her glucose monitor is in her pink bag.

Avoid giving her sugary foods, fruit juices, or processed snacks. If her blood sugar drops, give her glucose tablets from her bag. If it spikes, notify me immediately.

Handle it.

Jason Parker

Her pulse quickened. She glanced at Diane, who was blissfully unaware, chattering away with her friends about the butterfly-shaped cookies.

Isabella inhaled deeply and cleared her throat. “Diane, sweetheart?”

Diane turned to her, eyes bright. “Yes, Miss Winter?”

“Have you had any snacks yet?” Isabella asked carefully.

Diane shook her head. “Not yet! But I want to try the strawberry cupcakes! They’re my favorite!”

Isabella’s stomach twisted. She forced a smile. “How about we check your princess bag first?”

Diane pouted. “Why?”

“Because…” Isabella hesitated, then leaned in conspiratorially. “Because only super princesses get to do a secret check before tea time.”

Diane’s eyes widened. “Like a royal rule?”

“Exactly.”

Diane huffed dramatically but reached for her pink bag. Isabella quickly unzipped it, fingers searching until they closed around the glucose monitor.

“Hold out your hand for me, darling,” Isabella said, keeping her voice light.

Diane did, and Isabella swiftly checked her levels. The number was normal. Relief washed over her.

“All good?” Diane asked, tilting her head.

Isabella nodded. “Perfect.” She tapped Diane’s nose gently. “Now, go have fun, but let’s pick something not too sweet, okay?”

Diane sighed. “Okay… maybe just a little cupcake?”

Isabella smiled, ruffling her hair. “We’ll see.”

As Diane ran off giggling, Isabella exhaled and sat back. She reached for her phone, rereading Jason’s email.

Handle it.

She clenched her jaw.

“Oh, I’ll handle it, Mr. Parker.”

---

"You must be new around here."

Isabella paused, teapot in hand, before turning. A tall, elegantly dressed woman stood before her, eyes sharp with curiosity.

"I know all the Parkers," the woman continued smoothly, a hint of a smirk on her lips. "But I don’t believe we’ve met."

Isabella forced a polite smile. "Oh, I—"

"Who are you exactly?" Victoria Hale pressed, folding her arms.

Diane, unaware of the tension, tugged at Isabella’s sleeve. "Miss Winter, can we get more tea?"

Isabella swallowed, feeling the weight of not just Victoria’s gaze but the quiet murmurs from the other mothers watching.

For the first time since she stepped into the tea party, she wasn’t sure what to say.