Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 84

For the sake of marrying her off, Richard really pulled out all the stops.

Isadora flexed her wrist, her expression unreadable.

"What if Magnus doesn't want to marry me?" she asked, her tone light but pointed.

Richard's brow furrowed. "Why wouldn't he want to marry you? Everything's going smoothly, isn't it? He even brought in LA Wedding to design your gown. For a man of Magnus's standing, that's a real gesture of intent. Isadora, don't play coy with me."

"He thinks I'm tainted."

Richard's face hardened. "Isadora, you're the daughter of the Vaughan family, my daughter. What reason do you have to feel unworthy?"

Isadora replied without missing a beat, "You have no idea, Dad. The Wainwrights look down on me because I wasn't raised in the Vaughan family. They think I lack the polish, the manners, the background-everything that comes from growing up with privilege. Pearl, on the other hand, was raised here from the start, so of course they think she's more suitable for Magnus."

Magnus had never actually said these words to her. But Faustina, his mother, brought it up often enough.

was deliberately twisting the knife, reminding

the end of the day, is adopted. Don't

let yourself get caught

to care-but

she could ignore

But not anymore.

why not have Pearl marry Magnus? After all, I'm not your only daughter. Let her do it. Leave me

of avoiding marriage!" Richard took a deep

your twenty-fourth birthday. This year, we'll throw a party just for you. A

her eye catching the light. She was radiant-like a peony in full bloom. Even the cab driver couldn't help glancing at her through

birthday was the same day

birthday alone had cost them millions. That was no small feat, even for

was brought back into the family, Eleanor worried about hurting Pearl's feelings, and Richard didn't want to cause a scene. So the lavish party stayed in

It was laughable, really.

a couple of years, Isadora stopped showing up at Pearl's parties. She decided to celebrate with Magnus instead-except every time, Elise would have one of her episodes. So, in all her years, Isadora had never actually had a birthday