Chapter 677 Avery Learns the Truth: He Has a Daughter 1
On both ends of the line, there was a strange, heavy silence.
They had been together for years, yet Avery had never once said he loved her. Isadora had never said it either.
They had always been at odds, always cutting each other down.
After all this time, she had finally touched on the subject of love.
But she remembered exactly how they had ended things.
She had told him, in the coldest possible words, that aside from sharing a bed, she had never felt a shred of real affection for him.
She had left no room, no escape route for either of them.
When Avery finally spoke, his voice was sharp and brittle, like ice cracking, "Still love you? Isadora, you really think too highly of yourself. I'm not the kind of man who clings to one woman. Or have you forgotten what you said to me?"
He didn't pause before twisting the knife.
"What game are you playing now? Did you realize I'm useful to you again, planning to take what you want and then toss me aside?"
Isadora stayed on the line, listening to him deliver each word like a blow.
"At least with an arranged match, the woman is clean, uncomplicated. No hidden agendas. If all goes well, I'll find someone suitable soon, get married, and have children within a year."
The last words came through gritted teeth.
He couldn't see her on the other end—her face drained of color, her body trembling—but she refused to let him hear her break.
She kept her voice even, "Then let me be the first to congratulate you."
Avery faltered.
Two seconds later, she hung up.
His words kept echoing in her mind, like a devil whispering in the dark.
At least clean.
Uncomplicated.
No hidden agendas.
Her phone slipped from her fingers and hit the desk.
In the bright, quiet study, she sat motionless.
From the courtyard below came Maggie's laughter—pure, unguarded joy. It gave shape to the idea of happiness, made her believe that everything she had done was worth it.
And yet, she was crying.
And yet, she felt regret.
Regret for the words she had never spoken.
Regret for never telling Avery the truth about Maggie.
The next time they saw each other was at Taylor and Julian's wedding.
Avery was there as family of the bride.
Isadora was attending as a business associate.
By sheer bad luck, they crossed paths at the entrance to the ballroom.
She was alone.
He had a date—a young, beautiful woman in a pure white gown, wearing a matching set of ruby jewelry.
The kind of woman whose background was obvious at a glance.
Probably the "clean" and "uncomplicated" type he'd spoken of.
Isadora didn't linger on them.
She had planned to drop off her gift and leave quietly.
But fate had other plans.
Avery's voice was as sharp as ever, "Isadora. Long time no see. No date tonight? With your… assets, that shouldn't be hard. What happened to Samuel? Did he dump you?"
The words were meant to sting.
The young woman nudged him, murmuring, "Avery."
He relented just enough to make introductions.
"Autumn—old family friend. And my girlfriend. Isadora, my business partner."
Autumn Foster was warm and lively. She extended her hand. "Ms. Penrose, it's a pleasure."
Under the glittering crystal lights, Isadora's face was pale.
It wasn't that she couldn't accept Avery having a girlfriend—they were over, and he was free to do as he pleased—but he still couldn't resist twisting the knife.
Still, she told herself, if he married, at least Maggie could stay with her without question.
She took Autumn's hand. "Nice to meet you."
They let go almost immediately.
Autumn turned to Avery. "Come on, let's go in. Taylor was just asking about us."
Avery's expression softened for her.
He gave Isadora a curt nod before walking away with Autumn.
At the entrance, Isadora was left alone.
The floor-to-ceiling glass beside her reflected her face back at her.
She reached up to touch her cheek and could see how terrible she looked.
She almost laughed at herself—this was her choice, and yet here she was, looking like she might cry.
For whose benefit?
It took her five minutes to put herself back together.
When she finally stepped into the ballroom, she was once again the flawless Isadora.
Serafina intercepted her.
She had seen everything.
Without a word, she led Isadora into an empty ladies' room and locked the door.
"You saw," Isadora said with a bitter smile.
Serafina nodded, her tone even, "The engagement was set last week. If nothing changes, it'll be Autumn. They'll probably be engaged soon and married by the end of the year."
Her gaze sharpened. "What about Maggie? Are you really not going to tell Avery? Right now, before he's in too deep, you could give him the chance to choose."
Isadora leaned against the counter, silent.
Then she opened her bag, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and tried to light one to steady herself.
But her hands were shaking so badly she dropped them.
The pack spilled across the floor.
She stared at the scattered cigarettes, and tears fell, darkening the paper.
"Avery said he wanted someone clean, uncomplicated. I've never felt inferior to anyone, Serafina… but with Avery, I do."
He had a girlfriend now.
How could she walk into the Montague family and tell them she had a child with Avery from one night six years ago?
What would Avery think?
What would his parents think?
She was trapped.
That night had been their best chance to break the ice, but they had chosen to wound each other instead.
Now, she had no right to speak.
If Maggie's existence ever came to light, she would claim the child was someone else's.
Isadora turned and washed her face.
"Let it go, Serafina. Avery is the past. I can give Maggie happiness on my own. If I have to, I'll find her a father in name."
Serafina's eyes softened with regret.
Isadora gave her a faint, almost broken smile.
Some feelings were never meant to be spoken.
The door to the ladies' room swung slightly on its hinges.
When the space was empty again, a tall figure stepped out of the men's room next door.
He walked to the sink, turned on the gold faucet, and looked into the mirror at his own impassive face.
It was Avery.
He rolled his sleeves, washed his hands, every movement calm and deliberate.
But inside, the noise was deafening.
Isadora had given birth to his child.
Her name was Maggie.
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