Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus) novel Chapter 223

Carla’s eyes burned with hatred as she stared at Isadora, the intensity of her loathing palpable even from across the room.

Isadora’s hands trembled. She had truly believed she would never see Carla again in this lifetime.

A police officer, noticing that Carla had suddenly frozen in place, gave her a shove and led her away.

Isadora watched as Carla’s thin, gaunt figure disappeared down the hospital corridor before finally snapping out of her daze.

But her thoughts drifted back to the year she was reunited with the Vaughan family.

She’d been on her way to a part-time job when a luxury car accidentally struck her.

From the backseat emerged an elderly woman with snowy hair, leaning heavily on a cane—Margaret Vaughan, Isadora’s grandmother.

Margaret radiated kindness, insisting on personally taking Isadora to the hospital to make sure she was all right.

A moment later, the car’s rear door flew open again, and a young woman in a designer dress stepped out. Pearl, every bit the haughty princess, glanced dismissively at Isadora, who was still sprawled on the ground.

“Grandma, people like her fake accidents for money all the time. Don’t fall for it. Just give her a couple hundred bucks and let’s go—I’m going to be late for a party.”

Carla had a treasured photo album—one filled with pictures of a little girl growing up. Most of the photos looked like they’d been snapped in secret, or clipped from old newspapers.

Isadora had sneaked a look at that album before. The moment she saw Pearl, she recognized her as the little girl in those photos.

Margaret, however, ignored Pearl’s protests. She told her granddaughter to get a cab on her own, and then personally took Isadora to the hospital for a checkup.

It was during their conversation that Isadora learned, to her astonishment, that she and Pearl shared the same birthday.

Then, at the hospital, Margaret absent-mindedly remarked that Isadora and the Vaughans seemed destined to cross paths—even their rare blood type matched.

Now, back in the present, Isadora stepped forward and approached a nearby doctor.

“Excuse me, that woman from earlier—she’s a prisoner, isn’t she? How did she end up here at the hospital?”

The doctor replied, “Carla was diagnosed with early-stage colon cancer. She comes in for regular checkups. From what I’ve heard, she’s been on good behavior in prison and may be released soon.”

When Isadora returned to her friends, Wendy glanced curiously at her empty hands.

“Isadora, weren’t you going out to get dinner? Where’s the food?”

Isadora, still in shock, realized she had dropped the takeout container somewhere along the way. “Sorry, I completely forgot. I can go out and get something else.”

Rowena stepped closer, concern etched on her face as she took in Isadora’s pallor. “Don’t worry about it. We can just order delivery. Isadora, you don’t look so good—you and Wendy should head home and get some rest.”