Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus) novel Chapter 17

Pearl was just basking in her own satisfaction when, out of nowhere, Isadora stepped forward.

Without warning, Isadora yanked the diamond necklace from around Pearl’s neck, snapping the chain so abruptly that Pearl barely registered what had happened. All she felt was a sharp, burning pain—as if her neck had been torn right along with the necklace.

A thin red scratch was already blooming across her skin, blood beginning to bead along the line.

“Ah!” she cried, pain stinging her eyes with tears. Her whole neck felt like it was on fire.

The commotion drew the attention of everyone in the ballroom. Heads turned as curious onlookers made their way over, eager for gossip.

Eleanor rushed over, flustered and anxious. “What on earth is going on?”

Sobbing, Pearl flung herself into Eleanor’s arms. “Mom, did you hear the way Isadora was speaking to you just now? I told her not to talk to you like that, and instead she just lost it—she ripped my necklace right off! She nearly broke my neck.”

Eleanor’s eyes flickered to the angry, bleeding scratch on Pearl’s neck. She shot Isadora a furious glare. “Isadora, what do you think you’re doing?!”

Isadora met her mother’s gaze without flinching. Calmly, she held the diamond necklace up for everyone to see. The gems sparkled coldly beneath the lights, the sharp-edged star pendant dazzling and dangerous.

“I’m simply taking back the necklace my grandmother left to me,” Isadora said coolly. “Is that really worth all this drama?”

Eleanor’s attention shifted guiltily to the necklace in Isadora’s hand. She’d been so busy tonight that she hadn’t even noticed Pearl was wearing it. If she had, she never would have let her daughter put it on.