Isadora wasn''t offering him a second chance-not really.
She simply knew Magnus would never be able to follow through.
The moment Elise had one of her episodes, Magnus would drop everything and run to her side.
She remembered her own birthday that year. Just as she was about to blow out the candles and make a wish, Magnus received a call from Elise. Without hesitation, he left right away, abandoning her to face a room full of friends and a melting cake, awkwardness thick in the air.
Meanwhile, Elise strode confidently into the Vaughan family''s grand ballroom, ticket in hand.
Eleanor spotted her immediately, her brow furrowing in irritation.
"Who let her in? Is anyone doing their job around here?" she snapped at the staff, who only ducked their heads in silence, not daring to speak up.
Eleanor marched over with several maids in tow, blocking Elise''s path with icy authority.
"Ms. Harrison, what are you doing here at the Vaughan family''s celebration?"
Elise stood her ground,posed and polite. "Hello, Mrs. Vaughan. I''m here to see Isadora."
Eleanor looked her up and down, her gaze dripping with disdain at the sight of this cheap, seductive woman.
Her tone was frosty. "Mrs. Vaughan? Hearing you call me that is an insult to my family''s name. We don''t wee people like you here. Leave now, or don''t me me if security has to escort you out."
By the pool outside the vi, Magnus and Isadora watched the scene unfold through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Eleanor, armed with her maids, looked every bit the bully, pressing in on the seemingly gentle and fragile Elise.
They couldn''t hear the conversation, but it wasn''t hard to guess what Eleanor was saying.
Isadora watched with amusement, flicking a nce at Magnus standing beside her. His face remained stoic, but she noticed the slight furrow of his brow.
She knew him well enough to recognize that look-it was always the first sign of his anger.
Soon enough, Elise''s gaze darted around until she spotted Magnus by the pool. Ignoring Eleanor, she slipped past, nimble and determined, making her way toward them.
Today, Elise wore a white sundress with a soft pink cardigan draped over her shoulders. Herplexion was pale, long hair fluttering across her face as she hurried over. From her makeup to the details of her outfit, she was impably put together.
A little out of breath, she called out, "Magnus."
Then, catching sight of Isadora standing to the side, Elise''s eyes shed with a
hint of disdain before she quickly reced it with a warm, friendly smile. "Isadora."
Magnus''s face was unreadable, his voice low. "Why are you here all of a sudden?"
At his question, Elise bit her lip, feigning innocence. "I came to apologize to Isadora about the wedding. I had no idea your family was hosting a party today."
Apologize? Here? That was a tant lie.
If Elise really wanted to apologize, she could have arranged to meet Isadora privately. Why show up at the Vaughan family home? Elise knew perfectly well Isadora didn''t live here. Besides, she arrived with an invitation, as if she belonged.
She was clearly here with a n.
Isadora didn''t bother exposing the lie-at least, not yet.
Eleanor quickly stormed over, two maids trailing behind, her expression thunderous-clearly on the verge of calling security. But with Magnus present, she forced herself to hold back.
With a cold, restrained voice, Eleanor said, "Ms. Harrison, today is an important day for our family. If you have no urgent business, I suggest you leave."
Elise ignored herpletely.
She lifted her eyes, watery and bright, looking every bit the lost fawn in the wrong forest-soft, vulnerable, inviting sympathy and protection.
"Magnus, am I interrupting something? I''m so sorry, I truly didn''t know today was special for your family. If I had, I never would havee."
Isadora only crossed her arms and watched, a faint, knowing smile ying on her lips. She hadn''t said a word-yet.