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!"

laugh. "Sorry, you never taught me what 'behave' means, remember? So you've got no

turned away, not interested

even further, but with so many eyes on her, she had no choice but to swallow her

on the other hand, could barely hide

Eleanor's hand reassuringly. "Mom, the way Isadora treats you-she's so ungrateful. But don't worry. Even if you don't have her, you'll always have me,

own flesh and blood never

plate and helped herself to

her over, one hand wrapped around a cocktail glass, chin held high in smug

still as clueless as ever, Isadora. Do you really think provoking Mom like this

me for twenty years, not twenty days," Isadora replied, voice steady. "All those years, they treasured Pearl like she was made of gold. You really think that kind

don't kid yourself, Isadora. Before I decide to

all a favor and leave the Vaughan family on your

a bite of cake, the strawberries a little

Pearl blinked. "What?"

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

"You actually think you're the

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

necklace and set her cake

the only one who'd ever

old woman had passed away the very next

ached,