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 y 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 Ick the polish, the manners, the background-everything thates 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.


    Richard pressed his lips together. He knew Isadora was deliberately twisting the knife, reminding him how much they favored Pearl.


    "Isadora, you''re my daughter. You have Vaughan blood in your veins. Pearl, at the end of the day, is adopted. Don''t let yourself get caught upparing with her."


    Don''t let yourself get caught up.


    He told her not to care-but everything he did showed otherwise.


    Once, she could ignore it.


    But not anymore.


    Isadora said sweetly, "I''m notparing. It''s just—since I''m apparently not good enough for the Wainwrights, why not have Pearl marry Magnus? After all, I''m not your only daughter. Let her do it. Leave me out of it."


    "Isadora, this is all just your way of avoiding marriage!" Richard took a deep breath, reigning in his impatience. He knew he couldn''t push too hard right now.


    "Alright, listen. Next month is your twenty-fourth birthday. This year, we''ll throw a party just for you. A real one. Let everyone see you''re our beloved daughter."


    Isadora smiled, her dimple shifting, the tiny beauty mark near her eye catching the light. She was radiant-like a peony in full bloom. Even the cab driver couldn''t help ncing at her through the rearview mirror.


    Her birthday was the same day as Pearl''s.


    Every year, the Vaughans went all out for Pearl, sparing no expense. Pearl''s eighteenth birthday alone had cost them millions. That was no small feat, even for the Vaughans.


    After Isadora was brought back into the family, Eleanor worried about hurting Pearl''s feelings, and Richard didn''t want to cause a scene. So thevish party stayed in Pearl''s name. Isadora got a quiet family dinner the following day.


    It wasughable, really.


    After 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 that was about her.


    "Fine," she said lightly. "But what about Pearl? We''re not twins, you know. I''d feel awkward sharing the day, and I doubt she wants to either."


    Richard hesitated, wanting to cate her for now. "Just like before. We''ll celebrate Pearl''s birthday the next day, with a family dinner."


    Isadora could already imagine Pearl''s reaction when she heard the news.


    She let a sly smile curl at her lips. "You think Pearl will go along with that?"


    "Your mother and I will talk to her. So, just promise me you''ll go through with the wedding to Magnus, okay?"


    "Sure. Ask Magnus if he even wants me first."


    She didn''t believe it for a moment.


    Magnus would never want a woman he saw as damaged goods. Not Magnus- proud, untouchable Magnus.