Chapter 697 After the Breakup, They Found Peace 4
Avery glanced at Isadora.
He didn't expect her to share a bed with him and Maggie. She was the soon-to-be Mrs. Robinson, clinging to her virtue like a fortress wall. He just wanted to see her reaction, to read her face, to find out how much of their past still lingered in her memory.
Their eyes locked. No words. No movement. But everything was there—unspoken, undeniable.
Neither of them had forgotten. Not a single detail. And yet, those memories were the kind of thing you couldn't drag into daylight.
After a long moment, Avery's voice came low and rough. "In a few days, you'll be able to sleep with your mom."
Maggie's small mouth turned down in a pout. "I mean with both of you. I saw it on TV—moms and dads sleep together."
Avery had no idea how to explain that one. So he lied, casually. "In a few days, your mom and I will sleep with you."
"Avery." Isadora's voice cut in, sharper than she intended.
Her brows drew together in the dim light, a rare flicker of vulnerability breaking through her usual composure.
Avery watched her in silence. The air between them thickened, heavy with something neither of them should be feeling. Isadora sensed it too. She bent to kiss Maggie's forehead and whispered, "See you in two days."
She got out of the car fast, like she could outrun whatever was on her heels.
She knew exactly what it was—Avery. He had a way of getting under her skin, winding through her like smoke, finding the places she'd sworn to keep locked. But it was over. No more glances. No more heat. Not anymore.
'Isadora, you've lost your mind. Because if you hadn't, why would you still feel anything for him?' she thought.
Inside the car, Avery was still replaying that moment. He figured Isadora must be saving herself for Tobias.
Maggie let out a sigh. "Daddy, you're useless."
Avery gave her a look. She was far too sharp for her age.
He reached for her head, but the distance from the driver's seat kept him just out of touch. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
Maggie stuck out her tongue at him.
Looking at her, Avery felt something loosen inside him. The sting of Isadora's marriage dulled a little. He turned the wheel toward the Montague Mansion.
From the back seat, Maggie sang a jumble of made-up songs, happy as could be.
Avery felt a strange warmth. He had been born into privilege—perfect lineage, perfect looks, an effortless takeover of the Montague Group.
But happiness? That was rare. For people like him, life was often a muted fatigue, the indifference that came from having every material need met.
Maggie had changed that. She was a gift Isadora had given him, and for the first time, he was grateful she'd kept her.
Regret stirred in him, but so did respect.
The black car cut through the night like a streak of light, reaching the Montague Mansion in under twenty minutes. The house was lit up; Henry and Amelia were still awake.
Avery stepped out, went to the back, and wrapped his coat around Maggie before lifting her into his arms.
Every servant they passed stopped to coo over Maggie. Avery wasn't married, and she was his only child—of course the household adored her.
Tall and broad-shouldered, Avery strode into the hall.
Henry was there instantly, taking Maggie from him and fishing for details.
Maggie looped her arms around his neck and said in her soft, milky voice, "I had a kids' meal with Dad. We saw Mom. Dad bought her a burger and told the waiter to make it the biggest one so she'd get too fat for her wedding dress."
Henry stared at her, speechless.
So did Amelia. Avery, the man who was usually all icy composure, saying something that childish? Isadora was so slim, as if a burger could change that.
After a beat, Henry chuckled. "Didn't think you had it in you to joke, Avery. But really—where was this attitude before? She's about to marry someone else, and you're trailing after her like a lovesick fool. You're making the Montague name look ridiculous."
The words were teasing, but neither Henry nor Amelia told him to go find someone new.
Amelia, flipping through an art catalog, spoke in her slow, deliberate way. "The wedding's not for a while. Young people change their minds fast these days—today it's 'I love you,' tomorrow it's 'I love someone else.'"
Henry nodded in agreement.
Avery, however, felt something off in Amelia's tone. Normally, she was detached about relationships. What was she hiding?
Amelia only smiled faintly, keeping Tobias's ex-wife a secret.
Maggie settled easily into life at the mansion, no longer restless like before. She clung to Avery most of the time. When he worked, she came to the office with him. With four or five secretaries around, she was never unattended, and Jennifer personally oversaw everything she ate.
The next day was her preschool interview.
Isadora had planned to meet them at the school gates, but Avery insisted on picking her up. She didn't want to argue over something so small, so she agreed.
She had barely hung up when she caught Lila watching her thoughtfully.
"Yesterday afternoon, Avery came by," Lila said. "Brought Maggie and a secretary. Didn't say much, just left some supplements. The expensive kind."
Isadora blinked in surprise.
"I haven't been here for years," Lila went on. "I don't know everything you've been through, and I'm not about to lecture you about your love life. But I'll say this—Avery cares about you. He's just too proud to show it. Like a schoolboy pulling a girl's hair because he likes her. That's Avery."
Isadora felt a pang but kept her voice even. "I'm marrying Tobias. Don't say things like that—it'll cause misunderstandings."
Lila hesitated, then sighed softly.
Ten minutes later, Avery arrived with Maggie.
He didn't wait in the car. Instead, he carried Maggie and a crate of fresh fruit to the door. Lila glanced at Isadora, clearly weighing her reaction.
"Picked yesterday at the farm," Avery said, his tone polite but cool. "Try them, Mrs. Penrose."
Lila accepted them.
Only then did Avery look at Isadora. She was dressed formally today—black cape coat, a delicate brooch at the collar, her straight hair curled slightly at the ends. More feminine than usual. Clearly, she had put in effort.
His gaze lingered. His voice dropped, rougher than before. "You look good. Like someone's wife."
The last words carried more bitterness than praise.
Isadora felt it. She said nothing, just took Maggie's hand. Maggie, quick as ever, grabbed Avery's with her other hand—making them a perfect little trio.
Avery drove them to the preschool. Because he'd made a generous donation, the principal herself waited outside to greet them. "You must be Maggie's father?"
Avery shook her hand, reserved but polite. "Yes. Ms. Adams."
He shifted Maggie in his arms. "This is Ms. Adams."
At work, his tone was always clipped and businesslike. But Maggie softened it, giving a sweet, TV-perfect greeting. "Hello, Ms. Adams."
Nora's smile bloomed. 'A little society darling,' she thought.
She reached for Maggie's hand, intending to lead her inside for testing. But Avery carried her straight into the principal's office.
Nora got the message—this child was cherished. Her mother might not be married into the family, but Maggie was clearly adored.
She glanced at Isadora—beautiful, poised, gentle. Avery and Isadora looked like they belonged together. In her experience, a man who doted on his child like this only did so because he still had feelings for the child's mother.
Ten minutes later, Maggie sat at a small table, facing a test sheet.
The requirements for a five-year-old weren't high—counting, drawing a duck or a chick—but Maggie couldn't do any of it. She looked up at Avery, eyes shimmering, on the verge of tears.
Avery ruffled her hair. "Too hard. Make it easier for her. If a smart girl like Maggie can't do it, no one else here can."
Maggie straightened, reassured. Dad was right.
Nora bit back a sigh. This was already the easiest version.
"She'll catch up," Avery said firmly. "Right now, she just needs to believe she can."
Isadora's chest tightened with guilt. Maggie had grown up in Vesper City, with little exposure to early learning.
Her eyes glistened.
Avery noticed instantly. After a pause, he reached for her hand.
Isadora startled. This wasn't appropriate. She tried to pull away, but his grip tightened, his palm closing fully around hers.
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