Chapter 688 The Plea of Isadora 1
By the time Avery got home, it was almost midnight.
The house was quiet, the kind of stillness that made the air feel colder.
Henry was still awake, sitting in the living room under the muted glow of a lamp. At nearly sixty, he was still striking, his features sharp and well-kept.
"You're still up?" Avery shrugged off his coat and tossed it onto the sofa before dropping into the seat beside his father. He lit a cigarette, something he never did in the house.
Henry gave him a thin, knowing smile. "You don't smoke indoors. What happened? Trouble with Maggie's mother?"
Avery leaned back, the scene from earlier replaying in his mind — Tobias's hand on Isadora's waist, her not pulling away.
Tobias, of all people. A man twice divorced. And she had smiled.
The anger was there, but it was buried under something heavier — disappointment. He knew that if she had just denied it, even half-heartedly, he would have believed her.
But she hadn't. She had admitted it, unapologetic, saying it was for business. Which made him wonder how many times she had done the same before.
It wasn't worth it. None of it.
Henry studied his son's expression and chuckled softly. "You know, before you turned twenty-four, your mother and I used to wonder if you were even interested in women. We talked about whether we should just accept it if you weren't. But then we realized you weren't interested in men either. You didn't seem interested in anyone outside of family. We thought maybe you were just built differently."
He paused, his tone softening. "Then two years ago, you and Isadora happened. I don't care if there was some kind of deal between you — you finally looked human. You got angry, you laughed when you thought no one was watching. That's how I knew. You liked her."
Henry leaned forward. "If you like her, why not admit it? Women need to feel safe. Your mother and I lost years to misunderstandings. I don't want you and Maggie's mother to do the same."
Avery smoked in silence. He knew his father was right, but some things a man couldn't ignore. His mind was already made up — he would take Maggie's custody and cut ties with Isadora.
Henry sighed. "You look like you're carrying the weight of the world."
Avery crushed out his cigarette. "I'm going to check on Maggie."
"Don't," Henry said. "She's asleep with your mother. And with the mood you're in, you'll scare the kid."
Avery ignored him and headed upstairs.
The hallway light cast a warm glow over his tall frame. Henry watched him go, torn between pride and frustration.
In the east-facing bedroom, Maggie was curled up on the ivory bed, small and peaceful.
Amelia sat beside her, reading. She looked up when Avery entered.
"What happened? You look miles away."
"Just a scrape with the car. Nothing serious," he said lightly.
She didn't believe him, but let it go. When he bent to wrap Maggie in a blanket and scoop her up, Amelia frowned. "She just fell asleep. She'll want her mom when she wakes."
"I'll take care of her," he said quietly.
Whatever his feelings for Isadora, his love for Maggie was real. She was his blood.
The hallway was silent as he carried her. She stirred, then caught his scent and wrapped her tiny arms around his neck. Her warm breath brushed his skin.
"Daddy," she murmured, half-asleep, then asked for her mom.
"You'll see her in a few days," he promised.
He wasn't cruel. Isadora would still see Maggie once a week.
By the time they reached his room, she was asleep again. Avery laid her in bed, watching her small, soft features in the lamplight.
Blood was a strange thing — she had been away from him for years, but the moment he saw her, he knew she was his.
The next day, Taylor and Julian returned, bringing Luna to play with Maggie. The girls were close in age and quickly lost themselves in games.
In the garden pavilion, Taylor glanced at Avery. "What happened with Isadora? Mom and Dad said she was coming for lunch."
"It fell apart," Avery said, eyes on the grass.
Before she could ask more, the sound of engines drew their attention. Several black SUVs rolled through the gates. The Windsor family arrived in force — Oliver and Sarah, Jacob and Serafina with Abigail, and Elliot. Only Diana was missing.
Henry and Amelia greeted them warmly. Oliver presented Maggie with a gift — a deed to a sprawling estate. She didn't understand its value, but handed it to Avery. He glanced at it, recognized the worth, and thanked Oliver sincerely.
Serafina stood quietly aside, her gaze on Avery. She knew.
Before lunch, they crossed paths in the washroom. She wore a pale pink wool dress, her voice low, "I know you want custody. Maggie is yours, but she's also my sister's whole world. She had her when she was barely more than a girl herself. She would give up everything for her."
She hesitated. "I'm not here to reconcile you two. I just want you to give her a way to survive. You can marry again, have more children. But my sister will only ever have Maggie."
Avery met her eyes in the mirror, his own cold. "Is that so?"
Maybe it was nothing more than misplaced anger. Whether the fault lay with Isadora or Jacob, Avery and Serafina were kin in name only, and he had never been able to bridge that distance. Now, with her acting as Isadora's mouthpiece, the gap felt wider than ever.
Avery left without another word.
Serafina remained in front of the mirror, her expression distant and unfocused.
The Windsor family and the Montague family still had no idea about Avery's plan to fight for custody. It was obvious he did not want them to know, and Serafina found herself in a difficult position. If she spoke up, Isadora's situation might become even more humiliating.
Everyone in the family knew there was tension between Avery and Isadora, so they deliberately avoided mentioning it, afraid Maggie might sense it and feel hurt.
In the afternoon, Taylor and Julian left with Luna, and members of the Windsor family began to depart one after another.
Avery's phone rang — Jennifer.
"The legal team spoke with Ms. Penrose," she said. "She wants to meet you in person about Maggie's custody. She's in the Montague Group conference room now."
"I'm on my way."
Half an hour later, he walked into the building. Jennifer met him at the entrance. "Her eyes are red," she murmured.
Avery said nothing, just strode into the elevator. Moments later, he stepped into the small conference room. Twelve lawyers sat at the table. Isadora was at the far end, dressed simply in a black coat and gray cashmere scarf. Her eyes were, indeed, a little red.
She looked at him. "Avery, I'd like to speak to you alone."
He didn't move. "Let's keep this professional."
Her lips pressed together. She knew why they had never worked — not just her faults, but his distance, his privilege.
For Maggie's sake, she had swallowed her pride. The evidence against her was enough to lose custody. She was willing to give up everything else.
"Avery," she said softly.
He cut her off. "Call me Mr. Montague."