Chapter Five
1673 Words
“I miss her, Daddy.”
Jason barely glanced up from his tablet. “Who?”
Diane hugged her stuffed bunny tighter. “Miss Isabella Winter.”
Jason’s fingers hesitated over the screen before he continued scrolling through reports. “She’s at work, peanut.”
Diane swung her legs. “Can we go see her?”
Jason finally looked at her, expression neutral. “No. I’m busy.”
Diane pouted, mumbling under her breath, “Uncle Danny’s not always busy.”
Jason sighed through his nose and returned to his work. Diane slumped back against the couch, poking at her bunny’s ears as she let the conversation drop.
The doorbell rang.
Jason didn’t have to guess who it was because, the next second, Diane was off the couch, racing toward the door.
“Uncle Danny!”
Jason stood, adjusting his cufflinks as his younger brother stepped in, barely managing to catch Diane before she crashed into him.
Daniel laughed, lifting her up effortlessly. “Wow, kid, you get faster every time.”
“You didn’t come last weekend!” she accused, arms tight around his neck.
“Guilty,” Daniel admitted, setting her down. “But I brought you something to make up for it.”
Diane gasped. “A present?”
Jason shook his head. “You’re spoiling her.”
“That’s what uncles are for.” Daniel handed Diane a small, wrapped package. She beamed and ran to the couch to open it.
The dining table was already set when they walked in. The housekeepers moved around swiftly, setting down the last of the dishes before retreating. Jason took his usual seat at the head of the table, Diane next to him, and Daniel across from her.
They ate in silence for a few moments before Daniel leaned back. “Chicago’s locked in. The expansion’s moving forward.”
Jason nodded. “Keep me updated on the legal paperwork.”
Daniel gestured with his fork. “That’s your department.”
Jason gave him a dry look. “And yet, you always find ways to dump it on me.”
Daniel smirked. “Delegation is a skill, big brother.”
Jason shook his head, returning to his meal.
Diane, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly perked up. “Uncle Danny, guess what?”
Daniel turned to her. “What?”
“I have a new friend!”
Daniel raised a brow. “You do?” He threw a quick glance at Jason. “Who’s the lucky kid?”
Diane grinned. “Miss Isabella Winter! Almost like Isobel in my bedtime story.”
Daniel blinked. “Miss who now?”
Jason set his glass down.
“She’s really nice,” Diane continued, stabbing at her mashed potatoes. “She helped me at my tea party, and she gave me a bath when I was sleepy. I wish I could see her again.”
Daniel’s brows lifted slightly. “Sounds like someone special.” His gaze flicked to Jason, watching for a reaction.
Jason didn’t give him one.
Diane sighed. “But Daddy said no.”
Daniel turned back to her. “No?”
Jason exhaled. “Diane, eat your food.”
She sighed dramatically but obeyed, stuffing a bite of steak into her mouth.
Daniel, however, wasn’t done. He studied Jason for a long moment before returning to his meal.
After dinner, Diane wiped her hands and hopped off her chair. “Can I go watch cartoons now?”
Jason nodded. “Go ahead.”
She ran off, leaving the two brothers alone.
Daniel took his time finishing his drink before setting it down with a quiet clink. “So…Miss Winter!”
“Don’t.” Jason said as he shot a look at him.
He leaned back in his chair, a slow smirk spreading across his face. “When are you getting married again?”
Jason stilled.
Daniel’s smirk widened.
Jason exhaled slowly, setting his silverware down. “I’m not.”
Daniel tilted his head. “That’s not what I asked.”
Jason met his gaze, his expression unreadable.
Daniel’s smirk didn’t waver.
For the first time that evening, Jason didn’t have a quick response.
---
“Bless you!”
Isabella barely had time to sniff before her mother’s voice rang out from the kitchen.
“Bless you again!”
She rolled her eyes, wiping her nose. “Mum, it’s just a sneeze, not a near-death experience.”
From across the living room, one of her brothers—probably Ian—snorted. “Yeah, well, it’s twice now. You know what they say.”
Isaac, his twin, smirked. “Someone’s talking about you.”
Isabella snorted, her fingers scrolling lazily through i********:. “Great. Hope it’s the Pope.”
Her brothers laughed, but she had already tuned them out, her screen catching her attention.
Parker Global Medical Group (P.G.M.G.)
She paused, clicking on the post. Hundreds of comments flooded in beneath a sleek, high-definition image of a modern hospital.
‘Best medical service ever!’
‘P.G.M.G. saved my son’s life. Forever grateful!’
‘Dr. Parker is a genius! How does one man run hospitals across multiple countries?’
Isabella blinked.
“Wait… multiple countries?”
Ian looked up from his game. “Huh?”
She scrolled further, reading aloud. “Jason Parker owns not just hospitals but malls? Ten hospitals in different countries?”
Isaac whistled. “Whoa. Your boss is rich-rich.”
Ian nodded. “Like, ‘marry him now’ rich.”
Isabella scoffed. “Oh, shut up.”
From the kitchen, their mother’s voice carried over. “Who’s rich?”
“Her boss,” Ian said before Isabella could stop him.
“Really?” Their mum stepped into the doorway, wiping her hands on a towel. “Is he single?”
Isabella groaned. “Mum!”
Isaac grinned. “Don’t get her started. You know she’ll start matchmaking.”
Their mother’s eyes twinkled. “Well, you’re not getting any younger, Bella.”
Ian snickered. “Mum, she’s twenty-four.”
“Exactly! Almost past her prime.”
“Oh my God.” Isabella tossed a pillow at Ian, who dodged, laughing.
Her mum shook her head with a teasing smile before disappearing back into the kitchen. “Just saying! If he’s that rich, at least be nice to him.”
Isabella rolled her eyes, but her gaze flickered back to her phone. The comments kept pouring in, all praising Jason Parker.
She set her phone down, exhaling.
Rich-rich, indeed.
—
The front door creaked open, followed by heavy boots thudding against the floor.
“Ahh, home sweet home.”
Isabella’s head snapped up just as her father, Edward Winter, stepped into the living room, pulling off his jacket. His uniform was dusted with soot, and his face had that familiar exhausted-but-content look he always wore after a shift.
“Dad!” she called, already getting up.
Before she could take two steps, Isaac and Ian shot past her like missiles.
“Dad’s home!”
Edward barely had time to brace himself before both boys crashed into him, nearly knocking him over.
“Whoa! Easy, you little maniacs.” He ruffled their hair with one large hand, the other tossing his jacket over the couch. “What’s up?”
“You smell like smoke,” Isaac said, wrinkling his nose.
Edward chuckled. “Gee, wonder why. Maybe ‘cause I was putting out a fire?”
“Was it a big one?” Ian asked, eyes gleaming.
“Nah, small. Just a kitchen fire. But people panic, you know?” He patted their heads and turned to Isabella, who was watching with an amused smile. “Hey, kiddo.”
She stepped forward, hugging him. “Welcome back, old man.”
He pulled back with a mock-offended look. “Old man? I’m in my prime, thank you very much.”
“Tell that to your gray hair.” Isabella smirked, flicking at the silver strands near his temples.
Edward gasped, clutching his chest. “Betrayed by my own daughter!”
Laughter echoed through the house as their mother, Margaret Winter, peeked in from the kitchen.
“Edward, you’re just in time. Dinner’s ready!”
“Music to my ears.” He stretched his arms. “I’m starving.”
“You’re always starving.” Isabella teased as they made their way to the dining table.
The family gathered, the warmth of home settling around them. Plates clinked, conversation flowed, and for a while, everything was just simple and easy.
Isabella, however, couldn’t shake the thought lingering in the back of her mind—the name Jason Parker, flashing across her screen, and the realization of just how big his empire was.
---
Isabella flopped onto her bed, sighing as she pulled the covers up. The day had been long, and tomorrow was another early shift.
Just as she reached for her bedside lamp, her phone buzzed.
She squinted at the screen. One new email.
Her brows knitted together when she saw the sender’s name.
Jason Parker.
She clicked it open.
---
(No subject)
Isabella Winter,
Diane would like to see you after your shift tomorrow. She wants to go to the park. Wait back.
Jason Parker
---
Isabella sat up straight, gripping her phone.
“What the—”
Her thumb hovered over the keyboard, itching to type a sharp reply.
Excuse me?
Ever heard of a question mark, Mr. Parker?
How about a please?
Her fingers tapped furiously. She was about to type her firm decline when she paused.
Diane.
Her expression softened as she pictured those bright eyes, the way the little girl had clung to her three days ago.
She let out a deep breath, the anger slowly deflating.
“You win this time, Mr. Bully!”
Instead of replying, she locked her phone and tossed it onto the nightstand.
A smirk curled on her lips as she muttered to herself,
“Mr. Bully.”
The nickname felt oddly satisfying.
With that, Isabella turned off the lights, still smirking as she drifted into sleep.
- Writer
