Chapter 706 We're Done, Avery
The banquet was about six miles away.
Jennifer had offered to send a car for Isadora, but she declined. She said she would take a cab.
Spring nights in Oceancrest City were bitterly cold.
Isadora wore only a thin down jacket, and the chill seeped into her bones. She could not tell if it was the night air or the cold in her heart that made her shiver. She had hoped too much from Avery. Seeing that scandal earlier had hit her harder than she could bear.
No matter how much she liked him, she would not give up her ground. Otherwise, what awaited her would be endless torment.
Men, she thought, should be tamed before marriage. Once vows were exchanged, why invite chaos and heartbreak? Better no marriage at all than one built on betrayal.
A blue taxi pulled up. She bent down, slid inside, and gave the driver an address.
The man chuckled. "That place is buzzing tonight. The hotel entrance is packed with luxury cars, and I saw more than a few beautiful actresses."
Isadora answered with a flat hum.
She had been in business long enough to picture the scene without being there — the noise, the indulgence, the posturing. That was why she had come to Oceancrest City. She was here to take Maggie away. No matter how messy Avery's life was, he should never have brought Maggie into it.
A sudden wave of sadness swelled in her chest. She could not stop it now, nor could she see where she and Avery were headed.
A black van followed the taxi. Jennifer.
When giants clashed, it was the small ones who got hurt. This was one of those nights.
But she kept it to herself. In her heart, she couldn't condone what Avery had done. If he had chosen Isadora, then every other woman should have been kept at arm's length — he had no right to break her heart.
Half an hour later, Isadora stepped into the ballroom.
Avery was dancing with Autumn. In his world, it was nothing — just a dance with a woman he knew. No hint of intimacy. So when he saw Isadora, he did not think it was a big deal.
He let go of Autumn and walked toward her, voice low, "What brings you here?"
If the ballroom had been empty, she would have slapped him.
Maggie was sitting in a booth nearby, watching them with wide eyes. She could not understand the casual openness of adults. All she saw was her father dancing with a beautiful woman who was not her mother.
Was her father not with her mother anymore?
When she spotted Isadora, Maggie's lips trembled. "Mommy."
Isadora bent down, scooped her up, and kissed her cheek. "Mom's taking you back to the hotel."
Motherhood had made her stronger. Even humiliated like this, she held Maggie close and looked at Avery. "We need to talk."
Avery frowned. He had not expected such a strong reaction. Autumn was just a friend.
Feeling disrespected himself, his mood soured. The sweetness they had built over the past few days shattered in an instant. But he still cared for her and wanted to start over. So after making arrangements for Autumn, he left the banquet with Isadora.
In the car, Isadora sat with Maggie in her arms, staring quietly out the window.
How could she forget? Back then, Avery had been the golden boy — untouchable, dazzling, every girl's dream. The line of admirers seemed endless.
He had never had an official girlfriend, but there was always a crowd of women around him. He had never bothered to avoid suspicion.
Countless women — that was the wound in her heart.
Her father Ronan had been the same, keeping mistresses and illegitimate children. He had not been a bad man at first, but he drifted, helpless, into the warm embrace of other women.
Isadora stayed silent. Maggie, sensing her mother's mood, grew quiet too. She leaned into Isadora's arms, clearly upset with Avery.
Isadora did not confront him yet.
Only after they reached the hotel, once Maggie was settled, did Avery speak, "You're overreacting. Maggie's not as fragile as you think. And nothing happened between me and Autumn."
"Not now. But what about later? Avery, Maggie is a sensitive child. I already feel guilty for not raising her myself from the start. And you don't know her like I do," Isadora said softly, tucking the blanket around Maggie.
She walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and stood with her back to him. Her mind was a storm. She still cared for Avery, but the differences between them were stark. Forcing this relationship would only make them both miserable.
Avery watched her, eyes dark. He had never been told what to do by a woman before. Tonight had left him angry, but it was clear she was angrier. He could not understand her, but he still explained what had happened with Autumn.
Night deepened.
After a long silence, Isadora spoke, "Avery, I believe you. Every word. But if you don't change, we won't last. Even if you haven't said it out loud, I think you want to start over with me."
She turned slowly, her voice low. "Keeping your distance from other women is a sign of respect for your partner."
Avery's expression hardened.
He felt disrespected tonight, and he was innocent. His temper flared, and his words came out sharp, "It was just a dance! You tried on wedding dresses with Tobias — are you telling me nothing happened between you two?"
The things said in the heat of the moment were often the most honest.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Avery froze. He had not realized how much it bothered him until now — the thought of her with Tobias, the image of them together. What man could bear it?
Isadora stared at him, stunned. She could not believe what she had just heard. For a woman, it was an insult of the deepest kind. She had only known Tobias for two weeks, yet in Avery's mind she had already slept with him.
So this was how he saw her — as a woman who would give herself away so easily.
Her face went pale. She glared at him, but said nothing. Explaining something that never happened felt beneath her. Instead, she blamed herself — for falling for a kiss, for being swayed by a few tender words.
The truth was, Avery had not changed. Neither had she.
Her lashes lowered, thick and dark against her skin, making her face seem even paler. Her voice was quiet. "I like you, Avery. But Maggie will always come first."
Avery's chest tightened.
She lifted her gaze, her voice catching, "Avery, I think we're done."