Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 17

Pearl was just basking in her own satisfaction when, out of nowhere, Isadora stepped forward.

Without warning, Isadora yanked the diamond necklace from around Pearl's neck, snapping the chain so abruptly that Pearl barely registered what had happened. All she felt was a sharp, burning pain-as if her neck had been torn right along with the necklace.

A thin red scratch was already blooming across her skin, blood beginning to bead along the line.

"Ah!" she cried, pain stinging her eyes with tears. Her whole neck felt like it was on fire.

The commotion drew the attention of everyone in the ballroom. Heads turned as curious onlookers made their way over, eager for gossip.

Eleanor rushed over, flustered and anxious. "What on earth is going on?"

you just now? I told her not to talk to you like that, and instead she just lost it—she ripped

flickered to the angry, bleeding scratch on Pearl's neck. She shot

everyone to see. The gems sparkled coldly beneath the lights, the sharp-edged

me," Isadora said coolly. "Is that really worth

Isadora's hand. She'd been so busy tonight that she hadn't even noticed Pearl was wearing it.

promising her a piece of jewelry of equal value in exchange. But Pearl had burst into tears, asking if Eleanor didn't love her anymore. Ever since Isadora had

couldn't bring herself to insist. She'd figured she'd just buy Isadora another diamond necklace later-one

on her eighteenth birthday. You weren't

derisive laugh, the sound brittle and cold. "You really do dote on your fake daughter, don't you, Mom? Aren't you afraid Grandma

crowd; the word "fake daughter" echoed in the air, sparking a fresh wave of whispers. Pearl's anger flared, overshadowing

enough! If you hadn't come back to the Vaughan family, this necklace would have belonged