His Pretend Wife, His Forbidden Desire

Chapter Four

The air in the hall shifted.

Whispers.

Stares.

A few hushed giggles.

Isabella felt the weight of it all pressing down on her as Victoria Hale’s smirk widened, taking clear pleasure in her discomfort.

Diane, sensing something was off, tugged on Isabella’s hand.

"Miss Winter?" Her voice was soft, uncertain.

Instinctively, Isabella pulled her closer, her protective instincts kicking in. Diane didn’t need to witness this. Not here. Not like this.

But before Isabella could find the right words to respond, a deep, commanding voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"Is there a problem here?"

A hush fell over the hall.

Heads turned. Postures straightened. Even the mothers who had been too busy gossiping froze in place.

Jason Parker had arrived.

He stood near the entrance of the hall, his presence demanding attention. The black suit he wore fit seamlessly over his broad frame, his sharp features unreadable as his eyes locked onto Victoria.

Even Isabella was momentarily thrown off.

Diane, on the other hand, lit up at the sight of her father. She wiggled out of Isabella’s grip, sprinting toward him with an excited giggle.

"Daddy!"

Jason bent slightly, catching his daughter in a swift, secure embrace before straightening back to his full height. His eyes didn’t leave Victoria.

"I asked a question."

Victoria’s smirk didn’t falter. If anything, it grew more amused.

"Oh, nothing. Just making conversation with your new… lady."

Her tone dripped with suggestion.

Heat crawled up Isabella’s neck. Lady? She was about to correct the assumption when Jason spoke first.

"That’s none of your concern." His voice was pure ice.

Victoria shrugged, feigning innocence.

"Isn’t it? People might talk." She gestured around the hall, where the other parents were still watching.

Jason took a slow step forward, his presence alone enough to make Victoria tense.

"Then let them."

The finality in his tone left no room for argument.

Victoria hesitated for only a moment before flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Well, if you ever need company, Jason, you know where to find me."

With that, she walked off, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

The tension in the air lingered.

Isabella let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Jason shifted his attention to her. "We’re leaving."

She blinked. "Leaving?"

"Say your goodbyes, Diane."

The little girl pouted but did as she was told, waving to her classmates before hurrying back to Isabella’s side.

Isabella was still reeling from the exchange as they stepped outside.

---

The sleek black car was already waiting by the curb.

Jason walked ahead, his pace brisk. Isabella followed with Diane, still trying to process what had just happened.

Just as she reached for the car door, she hesitated, turning to him. "Sir, I—"

"Get in."

His tone left no room for argument.

She exhaled sharply before helping Diane into the backseat and sliding in beside her.

---

The silence in the car was thick, save for Diane, who was humming softly to herself, hugging her stuffed bunny.

Jason, still focused on the road, finally spoke.

"What exactly happened back there?"

Isabella straightened, her grip tightening on her dress.

"It was nothing, Mr. Parker. Just a misunderstanding."

His eyes flicked to her in the rearview mirror.

"I’ll decide what it was. Speak."

Jason’s fingers tapped against the steering wheel as he cast a sharp glance at Isabella through the rearview mirror. “I’m waiting.”

Isabella inhaled, keeping her voice even. “Miss Victoria was just… making assumptions. Stirring things up.”

Jason’s grip on the wheel tightened, his knuckles turning white. “What kind of assumptions?”

She hesitated. “The obvious kind, sir.”

His jaw flexed. Silence stretched.

Diane, blissfully unaware, swung her legs in the backseat, humming softly. She leaned into Isabella, hugging her stuffed bunny. “The party was so much fun,” she mumbled sleepily. “Everyone loved our dresses, didn’t they, Miss Winter?”

Isabella smiled at her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yes, sweetheart. You were the prettiest princess there.”

Jason’s voice broke through. “Did she eat?”

Isabella turned her head slightly. “Yes. She had a sandwich, some fruit, and a little cupcake. It wasn't much of a bite. I made sure of it.”

Jason nodded but said nothing. His gaze stayed on the road, his face unreadable.

Diane sighed happily. “Can we go again next time?”

Jason responded before Isabella could. “Of course.”

Diane grinned, satisfied, before resting her head against Isabella’s arm. The rhythm of the car seemed to lull her, her tiny fingers curling around the purple stuffed bunny.

Then Isabella noticed it—the faintest change in Diane’s posture.

Her humming slowed. Her eyelids drooped. A tiny crease formed between her brows.

A flicker of discomfort.

Isabella’s heart lurched.

Jason was still focused on driving, oblivious.

With careful movements, she reached for Diane’s pink bag and pulled out the glucose monitor. Her fingers worked quickly, her breath catching when she saw the reading.

It wasn’t dangerously low. But it was dropping.

Jason caught the movement in the mirror. His brows pulled together. “What are you doing?”

Isabella’s voice was calm but firm. “Pull over.”

Jason didn’t react immediately.

“What?”

She turned to him, her expression unwavering.

“Now, Mr. Parker.”

His foot hit the brakes.

The car jerked to a stop by the side of the road. Jason barely had time to shift into park before Isabella was already tending to Diane.

She adjusted the little girl’s posture, gently tilting her head. “Diane, sweetheart?”

Diane blinked slowly, her lips parting as if trying to respond. But she didn’t.

Isabella’s pulse quickened. She reached into the pink bag, fingers brushing against the glucose tablets. She tore open the small container and carefully pressed one against Diane’s lips. “Come on, baby. Just a little.”

Jason watched, his body tense. “Is it bad?” His voice was steady, but there was an edge to it.

Isabella didn’t glance at him. “She caught it early. It’s dropping, but not dangerously low. She just needs this.”

Diane weakly chewed the tablet, her lashes fluttering. Isabella coaxed her, whispering reassurances, brushing a hand over her forehead.

Jason exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face. “Damn it.”

A few minutes passed in silence, aside from Diane’s faint chewing.

Then, finally, the little girl sighed, resting her head against Isabella’s arm. Her breathing steadied. Color returned to her cheeks.

Isabella let out a quiet breath of relief.

Jason’s voice cut through. “How did you know?”

She glanced up at him, her hand still resting on Diane’s small frame. “She got quiet. Too quiet. Her body language changed. I just… knew.”

Jason studied her. His gaze lingered—not with the usual cool detachment, but something unreadable.

Finally, he nodded. “You handled it well.”

Isabella looked away, focusing back on Diane. “She’ll be okay, sir. Just needs to rest.”

Jason started the car again, glancing once more at the rearview mirror—at Isabella, still cradling Diane protectively.

“Let’s go home.”

---

By the time they arrived at the Parker estate, the midday sun streamed lazily through the windows, casting a soft glow over the sleek, modern interior. Diane was still drowsy but stirred when Isabella gently carried her inside.

Jason followed closely, his usual crisp movements slower, almost hesitant.

“I’ll take her,” he said, stepping forward.

But Isabella shook her head, adjusting Diane in her arms. “It’s fine, sir. I’ve got her.”

Jason hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. “Her room is upstairs.”

Isabella carried the little girl up the grand staircase and into a beautifully decorated bedroom fit for a princess—soft pastels, a canopy bed, and shelves lined with stuffed animals. Setting Diane down, she brushed a stray curl from the child’s face.

“A warm bath will help,” Isabella murmured, more to herself.

She changed into her casual clothes before drawing Diane a warm bath, making sure the temperature was just right. As the water filled the tub, she turned to Diane, offering a soft smile.

“Ready, darling?”

Diane gave a tired nod, lifting her arms so Isabella could help her out of her dress.

Jason remained outside, lingering by the door, arms crossed. He hadn’t ordered her to do this. She was going beyond the contract—acting like more than just an employee. And yet, he found himself watching, listening.

Inside, Isabella carefully rinsed Diane’s hair, humming a soft tune as she worked. “There we go. All fresh.” She wrapped Diane in a plush towel and carried her back to her room.

Jason was already there, propped up against the headboard of his daughter’s bed, waiting.

Diane’s sleepy eyes lit up at the sight of him. She wiggled out of Isabella’s arms and padded over to Jason, curling into his chest as he pulled the covers over her.

Jason smoothed a hand over her damp hair, his touch gentle. “Comfortable, peanut?”

Diane murmured a sleepy “Mhm.”

Isabella watched for a moment before clearing her throat. “Sir, I should get going now.”

Jason glanced up, his expression unreadable. For a brief second, it looked like he wanted to say something else. Instead, he gave a slight nod and reached for his phone. “I’ll have the driver—”

“Please stay with me, Miss Winter.”

Diane’s tiny voice cut through the air, soft but pleading.

Isabella froze.

The little girl’s big, tired eyes locked onto hers, full of silent hope.

Jason’s grip on his phone tightened.

Isabella hesitated. “Diane, darling, your dad is here. You’re safe.”

But Diane only snuggled deeper into Jason’s hold, her small fingers gripping the blankets. “I know… but I want you here too.”

The room fell into a pause.

Jason exhaled through his nose, placing his phone back on the nightstand. Then, in a low, unreadable tone, he spoke.

“Miss Winter, please, have a seat.”

Isabella blinked. “Sir?”

He met her gaze, then patted the space on the other side of Diane.

“Stay.”

“Please.”

And for reasons she didn’t quite understand, she did.