Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 73

Isadora glanced over and spotted Sammy's mother, Mrs. Hayes, among the group.

She recognized all of them.

These were Faustina's usual circle of friends-the wives of the city's wealthiest families. When they weren't out shopping, they played bridge together and gossiped over pastries and coffee.

Faustina always made a point of summoning Isadora to stand by, refilling their teacups and clearing away dishes. She relished this little show of authority-her way of reminding Isadora who was in charge, asserting her future mother-in-law status.

Officially, the message was: If you truly love my son, then you'd better get used to the rules and expectations of life as Mrs. Wainwright.

But in truth, Faustina's pride ran bone-deep. She never missed a chance to remind Isadora that she'd only found her way back to the Vaughan family after twenty years, and, in her eyes, that made her unworthy of someone like Magnus -the golden boy of their world.

Out of respect for Magnus, Isadora had always tried to please Faustina, even when it was obvious she wasn't welcome.

For Faustina's sixtieth birthday, she'd demanded that Isadora prepare a feast— personally cook 101 dishes for the celebration. She claimed that a daughter-in- law cooking for her mother-in-law's milestone birthday would bring longevity and good fortune.

What nonsense.

she did know was that she'd spent an entire day and night in the kitchen, hands raw and trembling by the end of it. The next

Magnus heard, he only frowned and said, "Why didn't you ask

quiet. She knew Faustina had insisted

let out a pointed huff. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Mrs. Donovan. Isadora

smiled and bowed her head, eager to win Faustina's approval. But not anymore. She didn't even

I never will be.

believe what they'd just heard. Wasn't this the same Isadora who used to orbit Magnus, doing everything Faustina asked just to stay in her

face went pale with shock and

had been aching these past few days-she'd tried to call Isadora for a

always been hopelessly in love with her son. There was no way she'd just walk away. She was bluffing,

sneered, "Don't flatter yourself, Isadora. My son's interest in you is the best thing that'll ever

flinch. Instead, she smiled-genuine,

interested in that kind of blessing.