Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus) novel Chapter 14

Eleanor was still muttering angrily under her breath.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Isadora cut her off, her tone edged with impatience and a chill that hadn’t been there before.

“You’re right—I’m not your real daughter, Pearl is! Happy now?”

Eleanor’s face twisted with embarrassment and anger.

“Isadora, what kind of attitude is that? People say raising a child means more than giving birth, and clearly it’s true. Pearl is a hundred times more considerate than you—she would never speak to me with such disrespect!”

Isadora’s eyes grew red, her voice trembling slightly. “Then why do you bother with me at all? Maybe we should just cut ties again and be done with it!”

“Isadora! Are you trying to send me to an early grave?”

Eleanor sucked in a deep breath, nearly choking on her own frustration.

Every time Pearl’s name came up, Isadora bristled like a hedgehog.

And Pearl, truth be told, was innocent in all this. She owed Isadora nothing. If anyone was to blame, it was Carla—the root of all this bitterness.

But Carla was already behind bars.

Thinking of tomorrow, Eleanor forced herself to calm down, her tone softening just a little.

“Tomorrow night is the 30th anniversary of the Vaughan Group. Our family’s hosting a banquet—you and Magnus should both come. Your father and I want to talk about your wedding while everyone’s together.”

Isadora already knew about the event.

Ever since she’d been welcomed back into the Vaughan family, Eleanor had kept her at arm’s length, obviously resenting the twenty years Isadora spent being raised by Carla.

It was only after learning that Magnus—her boyfriend—came from a powerful family that Eleanor began to show any interest in her at all.

But no, she hadn’t been raised by Eleanor. She’d been warped by Carla instead.

Eleanor tried to reason with her, her voice taking on a coaxing edge. “I heard about that wedding too, but it was just for show—kids playing around, nothing serious. As women, we have to be patient. Once you marry Magnus, you can deal with Elise however you want. But right now, without any official status, if you make a scene, you’ll just push Magnus away for good.”

“What Magnus does is none of my business anymore. I’m done. I’ll never have anything to do with him again.”

“Wait, Isadora... Isadora!” Eleanor’s voice trailed off as the call abruptly ended.

Staring at her phone, Eleanor felt a tightness in her chest that wouldn’t ease.

After a long moment, she picked up her phone again and dialed another number.

“Magnus, it’s Mrs. Vaughan,” she said, her tone switching to sweet concern. “Yes, Isadora’s being difficult, but don’t take it to heart. Girls get jealous, they throw tantrums—she just wants you to coax her, that’s all. If she’s done anything wrong, let me apologize on her behalf.”

“Oh, and remember to come to the Vaughan Group’s 30th anniversary banquet tomorrow. My husband and I would like to talk to you about the wedding.”