Blizzard, First Love and a Wife Who Finally Snaps novel Chapter 189

Isabel saw the look on his face—like a child who had asked for something extraordinary and was now blushing with nervous anticipation. It made her want to cry again. These were two strangers who, through Julian, were allowing her to use them. Yet they treated her with such genuine sincerity. It was more than her own son… and as for her ex-husband, he wasn’t even worth mentioning.

Isabel put down her fork, stood up, and looked at him with great solemnity. “Dad,” she said.

Then she turned to Mrs. Ashford. “Mummy.” She wanted to reserve the name ‘Mom’ for her own mother. Her biological father, well, he might as well not exist.

Mrs. Ashford, unaware of the distinction, was overcome with emotion. In their circles, ‘Mummy’ was the common term, and hearing it, she burst into tears, completely forgetting to respond. Mr. Ashford, too, was speechless. They had dreamed of this moment for years, ever since Vivienne was pregnant. Twenty-seven years had passed before it came true. Even though she wasn't their biological daughter, it felt as though a long-held regret had been erased.

“Uncle, Auntie, what are you staring at!” Miles prompted. “Answer her!”

Victor and Vivienne snapped out of their daze, quickly responding with several enthusiastic “Yes!”s.

The scene made Julian chuckle. “For a second there, I thought the turkey had come back to life.”

Isabel immediately gave his shoulder a light punch, warning him not to make inappropriate jokes.

But Julian was not one to be silenced. “Look at that. We’re not even married yet, and she’s already ordering me around.”

“...”

Isabel ignored him, helping Mrs. Ashford sit back down and then gesturing for Mr. Ashford to do the same. The rest of the meal was filled with warmth and laughter. When it was over, Mrs. Ashford was reluctant to let her go and wanted her to stay the night. Miles saw this and intervened, escorting Isabel and Julian out.

“Call me if you need anything, Mr. Reed. I won’t see you all the way to the airport.”

“Alright.”

Miles watched the car drive away before turning back into the house. He found Mrs. Ashford and said, “Auntie, she isn’t the real Isabel Ashford. The act needs to be convincing, but there have to be limits. I’ve taken the strand of hair you collected. We can’t run a DNA test without Mr. Reed’s permission.”

That made sense to Isabel. She paused for a moment, then said, “You know, it felt less like you were taking me to ask for help and more like you were there to make a threat. It seems you’re not just a big shot in Aurelia City. You’re treated like a guest of honor here in the Fiorhaven Principality, too.”

“The top family in the country being so deferential to you… tsk tsk.”

Julian smiled. “Is that sarcasm I detect?”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Isabel retorted. “I’m afraid you might accidentally strangle me.”

“Now that, I wouldn’t have the heart to do.”

Isabel met his gaze, his charming eyes that could look at a stray dog with affection, and felt a lump in her throat. She quickly looked away. “When is the party to announce my identity?”