Isadora''s expression darkened, thest traces of drowsiness vanishing from her mind.


    She hugged her arms around herself, her voice cool and distant. "So this is how you reward women, Mr. Fitzgerald?"


    Victor could feel the shift-moments ago, the woman in his arms had been soft and affectionate, but now her mood seemed to turn on a dime.


    He never understood how women''s minds worked.


    He just wanted to give her something, that was all.


    But despite her even tone, Isadora''s words were edged with distance.


    Victor lowered his gaze and fixed her with a prating look. "I''ve told you before -I''ve only ever slept with you."


    Sleep together? Sure, they had. But everyone in the city knew Victor Fitzgerald had a string of women vying for his attention. Of course he was used to handing out gifts and favors as if it meant nothing. Why would she be any different?


    Isadora replied, "There''s nothing I want, but thank you for your... generosity, Mr. Fitzgerald."


    With that, she shifted away from Victor''s embrace, moving to the far side of the bed.


    Victor''s eyes grew cold.


    He couldn''t for the life of him figure out what he''d done to upset her.


    The room was steeped in darkness, their quiet breathing the only sound, making the silence feel even heavier.


    Victor reached over and gently turned Isadora to face him.


    His palm rested against her pale cheek, thumb brushing lightly over her lips.


    "Isadora, what are you so sensitive about?"


    The words cut straight to her core, stripping away the thin veil she used to protect herself. Her expression crumpled.


    Yes, she was sensitive.


    When she''d firste to live with the Vaughans, she''d felt like an outsider, always treading carefully, desperate to please everyone in the family.


    Sometimes, if Eleanor thought she was being good, she''d say, "Isadora, you''ve done welltely. What would you like as a reward?"


    At first, Isadora didn''t think much of it. She was happy to ept whatever was offered, believing it was her parents'' way of loving and epting her.


    That was until one day, Pearl swaggered in wearing an amethyst ne-the one Eleanor had won at the Northmarch charity auction and given to her.


    Pearl sneered, "Thatptop you''ve got? It''s worth, what, a couple hundred dors? You think that''s a sign they love you? They hand out little trinkets like that to the housekeepers when they do a decent job."


    "Isadora, love means you can ask for anything and not feel ashamed, not sit around waiting for scraps. You''re pathetic, you know that? Just a pitiful charity case."


    She turned to leave, but not before tossing over her shoulder, "Oh, and in case you didn''t notice, my ne is worth more than eighty grand. A little different from your preciousptop, don''t you think?"


    Herughter echoed down the hallway, leaving Isadora standing there, cheeks burning with humiliation.


    Even now, those words still stung. She didn''t need the Vaughans'' charity anymore, but the memories still made her flinch.


    A flicker of hurt shed in Isadora''s eyes as she whispered, "I don''t want anything. Not anymore."


    Victor caught the emotion in her gaze.


    What was the point in arguing about this with her?


    He sighed and pulled her back into his arms.


    "Isadora, a reward is something a boss gives an employee. A gift is a man showing a woman he truly cares. That''s all this is."


    Warmth welled up in Isadora''s chest, her eyes suddenly prickling with tears.


    No one had ever said that to her before.


    Elise had just heard from Gideon that Magnus was in the hospital, and worry gnawed at her.


    She had just finished making a pot of nourishing soup and was about to head to the hospital to see him.


    But as she stepped out the door, she was met by Penelope Dawson standing on the front porch in a crisp dress, a tall bodyguard in a tailored suit looming behind her.


    Penelope Dawson was Jack Harrison''s wife-Elise''s father''s legitimate spouse.


    Elise''s birth mother had been the other woman, the kind men paid to keeppany for the night.


    So from the moment Elise was born, she''d never been epted by the Harrison family. Penelope had spent years making sure she never forgot it.