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.

or not Faustina would live to a hundred, Isadora couldn't say. What she did know was that she'd spent an entire day and night in the kitchen, hands raw and trembling by the

only frowned and said, "Why didn't you ask for

She knew Faustina had insisted she do it all

get ahead of ourselves, Mrs. Donovan. Isadora isn't married to my son yet. She's still on

to win Faustina's approval. But not anymore. She

voice calm but resolute. "You're absolutely right, Mrs. Wainwright. I'm not your daughter-in-law-and I never will be.

couldn't quite believe what they'd just heard. Wasn't this the same Isadora who used to orbit Magnus, doing

pale with shock

aching these past few days-she'd tried to call Isadora for a massage, but the phone never went

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

My son's interest in you is the best thing that'll ever happen to you. Don't come crying when Magnus gets tired

didn't flinch. Instead, she smiled-genuine, unbothered,

Mrs. Wainwright, but I'm not interested in that kind of blessing. Someone else can have