Chapter 686 Avery, Do You Love Me? 2
Avery felt the chill in her voice.
It took him a moment to keep his temper in check before he said, "Tomorrow at noon, I'll pick you up from your office. Don't forget."
Isadora stood in the hallway of the business club, her gaze tilted up toward the crystal chandelier. Her eyes glistened.
The image of Avery with Autumn—his coat around her shoulders, his expression warm—stabbed at her chest.
Her voice came out hoarse, "I have important matters tomorrow. I probably can't make it. Besides, that kind of occasion isn't where I belong."
"Why wouldn't you belong there?" Avery asked.
The night outside was a blur of city lights.
Isadora suddenly felt the weight of it all. She'd never wanted a half-hearted arrangement. She wanted to be the only one.
A little unsteady from the wine, she asked softly, "Avery… do you love me?"
On the other end, she could hear his breath—warm and close, like someone leaning in to whisper against her ear.
But there was no answer. After a pause, he asked, "Have you been drinking?"
She closed her eyes. "Yes."
It wasn't just the wine. It was disappointment. It was hurt.
She didn't allow herself to linger in it. There was too much at stake. If Zenith Global Enterprises forced through the acquisition, years of her work would be gone. She'd be left with money, but nothing else. Starting over wasn't something she was willing to accept.
Before Avery could say anything else, she ended the call and returned to the private dining room.
Tobias was still seated at the black-and-gold table, a glass of wine in hand, his expression thoughtful.
He looked mid-thirties, maybe a little older. Divorced, with a son studying abroad. Single, but with a history of high-profile affairs in the business world.
Isadora sat down without a word.
Tobias might be ruthless in business, but with women, he had an easy charm.
He slid her glass out of reach and smiled. "Business can wait until tomorrow. Meeting you tonight is already worth my time."
His gaze lingered, appreciative.
If she hadn't been reeling from Avery, she might have noticed. But tonight, she couldn't bring herself to see a corporate rival as anything else.
When Tobias suggested ending the dinner early, she agreed.
At the doorway, he said, "Let's walk to the parking garage together. I enjoyed our conversation. I'd like to continue it."
She gave a polite smile. "Of course."
They walked side by side. Her driver spotted her and quickly stepped out to open the car door. "Ms. Penrose, done for the night?"
She nodded, turning to bid Tobias goodbye.
Under the wash of neon, his gaze deepened. She noticed it, but before she could think more, he placed a hand lightly at her waist, guiding her toward the open door.
She settled into the seat. Tobias braced one hand on the roof, his voice low and certain, "We'll meet again, Ms. Penrose."
She smiled faintly.
He closed the door with deliberate care, standing there as her car pulled away.
Inside, the alcohol haze was gone. She knew Tobias was interested. If she wanted to keep her company out of his hands, she'd have to navigate him carefully. The thought alone gave her a headache.
Half an hour later, the black sedan slowed in front of her villa. Just as it was about to pull in, the rear door was yanked open and she was pulled out into the cold night.
The early spring air bit through her coat. Before she could react, Avery pushed her into his black Rolls-Royce.
Warmth closed around her. She could breathe again.
Outside, her driver pounded on the window. "Ms. Penrose—" he began, but Avery lowered the glass just enough to speak, his face like stone. "I need to talk to Isadora."
The driver froze. Avery.
The window slid back up. In the narrow space, Avery turned to her, his mind replaying the image of her with Tobias—Tobias's hand at her waist, bending close to say goodbye.
"You know he wants you," Avery said quietly, his voice edged with steel. "And you still choose to play along. Is that what you do for business? To you, Tobias or me—it's all the same? Just another man you can use? Just another doormat in your boardroom games?"
In the dim light, her face looked almost bloodless.
She saw the contempt in his eyes, and in that moment, she understood. It didn't matter that they'd been together for years. It didn't matter that they had Maggie. They were not from the same world.
If they were, how could he look at her like this? How could he hold Autumn close one night and tear her down the next?
She thought bitterly, 'Isadora, you pathetic fool! You've let yourself be lulled into believing in love, like some wide-eyed girl who's never tasted the world's rot. And tonight—God help me—I even asked him if he loved me. What answer did I think was waiting for me? Well, here it is. In his eyes, I'm a woman who can be bought, a body for hire, someone who would warm the bed of any man if the price was right. That's all I am to him.'
She gave a short, bitter laugh. "You're right, Mr. Montague. That's exactly the kind of woman I am. I'll do whatever it takes. Sleep with whoever I have to."
Avery's jaw tightened. "Isadora—"
"I'm not you," she cut in, her voice sharp but steady. "I wasn't born into wealth. Everything I have, I built myself. And you can rest easy. I'll never come to you for help. I'll never sleep with you for business. I wouldn't want to stain your precious honor."
Silence filled the car.
No one had ever spoken to Avery like that. No one but her. And she was the mother of his child.
In that instant, he felt something inside him harden. He had imagined a future with her after Maggie came into their lives. But clearly, she didn't want the same.
"You're not fit to be Maggie's mother," he said coldly.
She stared at him, stunned.
"I'll file for custody," he went on, his tone even colder. "Name your terms. I'll give you visitation once a month. But keep it discreet."
The words cut deeper than she expected.
Her voice shook. "I carried Maggie for nine months. I gave birth to her. And now you'll take her from me? Hand her over to a stepmother?"
Avery forced himself to stay firm. "A stable home. A proper mother. That's what she needs."
She said nothing more.
She sat in the dark, silent, her face pale, her eyes wet.
After a long moment, she let out a dry laugh. "Only tonight do I see what I am in your eyes. Thank you, Avery, for showing me. I won't ask you questions again. I won't beg you for custody. I'll fight you in court—one year, two years, my whole life if I have to. Maggie is my daughter. She will never call another woman 'Mom'."
She drew in a breath. "And I think your mother will see reason. She'll give Maggie back to me."
Avery opened his mouth, but she was already out of the car.
The night air was sharp, but her back stayed straight as she walked away without looking back.
Under the cold moonlight, her tears fell one by one.
She knew it wasn't worth it. But she was still bleeding inside. She told herself it would be the last time.
She could never reach a man like Avery. To him, she was someone to use, to discard without explanation.
'Isadora, remember this. You were never from his world. And in his eyes, you never will be,' she thought.
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