Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 16

"I told the housekeeper to deliver you a dress, didn't I? Why are you dressed like this?"

Isadora's lips curled into a mocking smile. "In your eyes, Pearl is the real Vaughan heiress. The four of you are the true face of this family. Whatever I wear makes no difference to you."

Once, Isadora would never have embarrassed Eleanor in public.

Partly because Magnus hated it when she acted out of line, like some wild troublemaker.

Partly because she still clung to a childish hope that Eleanor might one day love her like a mother should.

But after what happened with the kidnapping yesterday, she saw the truth at last.

Men? Family? What a joke.

Isadora refused to live like that anymore.

She didn't raise her voice, but they were standing right in the middle of the ballroom, and more than a few people had started to take notice.

Eleanor's face flickered between red and white.

"Do you know what day it is, Isadora? I expect you to behave yourself!"

never taught me what 'behave' means, remember? So you've got

interested

expression soured even further, but with so many eyes on

hand,

Isadora treats you-she's so ungrateful. But don't worry. Even if you

sigh. Why did her own flesh and blood never seem as

took a plate and helped herself to a few

wrapped around a cocktail glass, chin held high in

you're still as clueless as ever, Isadora. Do you really think

replied, voice steady. "All those years, they treasured Pearl like she was made of gold. You really think that

decide to

leave the Vaughan family

took a bite of cake, the strawberries a little

Pearl blinked. "What?"

flickered across Isadora's face. "If you're done,

derisive. "You actually think you're the Vaughan

deliberately drawing attention to the six-pointed diamond pendant at her neck, her tone taunting.

set her

one who'd ever truly loved her was her

the old woman had passed

loss still ached,