After the match ended, unbeknownst to Isadora another war was brewing...
Isadora had stayed behind to finalize logistics, her headset now looped around her neck, clipboard tucked under her arm. She was walking through the back corridor of the stadium when she heard the voice she least wanted to hear.
"Well, well. If it isn't the ghost of Hayes past."
She turned.
Sebastian Shaw leaned against the wall, dressed in a emerald suit that looked expensive and unearned. His smile was all teeth — charming to the untrained eye, poison to anyone who knew better.
"I'm working," she said flatly.
He stepped closer. "So I see. You've traded gala gowns for walkie-talkies. How… industrious."
"I don't have time for this."
"Come on if you can make time for Ethan and Kane surely there should be enough room for me...right," he said, circling her like a wolf. "I thought I'd offer you a better deal. One night. No strings. No cameras."
She narrowed her eyes. "You're disgusting."
He smirked. "Come on, Isadora. You're already the scandal. Might as well enjoy the perks. Kane's not here. He doesn't need to know."
She stared at him, then laughed — low and sharp.
"You really think I'd sleep with a man who's spent his entire life trying to be Kane and failed?"
His smile faltered.
"You're not even a shadow," she said. "You're the echo of a man who never arrived."
He stepped forward, jaw tight. "You think you're better than me? You're just the adopted charity case who couldn't even keep Ethan Brown's attention."
She didn't flinch.
But when his hand reached for her waist, she moved.
Fast.
Her knee connected with his crotch so hard he dropped like a stone, gasping, eyes wide with pain.
She leaned down, voice like ice.
"Touch me again, and I'll make sure you never use that thing for anything but pissing."
Then she walked away, heels clicking like gunshots on the concrete.
Behind her, Sebastian groaned, curled on the floor.
But even through the pain, he smiled.
𝑀𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑑
—
The Hayes estate hadn't changed.
Same polished floors. Same curated art. Same cold air that whispered of wealth and withheld affection.
Isadora stood in the drawing room, her back straight, her hands folded in front of her. She hadn't been invited — not really. The message had come through the housekeeper, vague and formal: "Mrs. Shaw would like a word. At the house. Today."
She knew what it meant.
Vivienne Shaw didn't request meetings. She summoned people like pawns to a board she already believed she owned.
Still, Isadora came.
Because she wasn't afraid of the board anymore.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway. Isadora turned just as Fiona entered, all soft smiles and silk.
"Sis," Fiona said, her voice light. "You look… serious."
Isadora gave a polite nod. "It's a serious day."
Fiona laughed gently. "Of course. I just meant… you could've worn something a little softer. You know how Mother Shaw is. She notices everything."
Isadora glanced down at her tailored black slacks and high-neck blouse. "I'm not here to impress her."
Fiona's smile didn't falter, but her eyes flickered. "Of course not. You've always had your own… style. It's admirable, really. Brave."
Isadora said nothing.
Fiona stepped closer, brushing imaginary lint from Isadora's shoulder. "I just want today to go well for you. For both of you. I know how hard it is to be under scrutiny."
Isadora met her gaze. "Do you?"
Fiona blinked, then smiled again. "I mean, you've been through so much. And now, with Kane… well, it's a lot. I just hope you're not putting yourself in a position where you'll be… misunderstood."
Before Isadora could respond, the front door opened.
Vivienne Shaw entered like a storm in pearls.
She wore a steel-gray coat, gloves she didn't remove, and an expression carved from ice.
"Isadora," she said, nodding once. "Fiona."
"Mrs. Shaw," Fiona said sweetly. "I'll give you two a moment."
She kissed Isadora's cheek — a little too close to her ear — and whispered, "Be careful what you say."
Then she left.
Vivienne sat without being asked.
Isadora remained standing.
"I'll be direct," Vivienne said, removing her gloves with slow precision. "You're not what I envisioned for my son."
Isadora didn't flinch.
"You come from a fractured family. You've been the subject of scandal. You've changed your name, your job, your entire identity. And now, you've attached yourself to Kane."
"I didn't attach myself to anyone," Isadora said calmly. "He chose me."
Vivienne's eyes narrowed. "Men make foolish choices when they're trying to rebel."
"I'm not a rebellion.
"No," Vivienne said. "You're a liability."
She reached into her bag and pulled out a slim envelope.
"A gesture," she said, placing it on the table. "Enough to start over. Somewhere far from here."
Isadora didn't move.
"I'm not for sale."
Vivienne's smile was thin. "Everyone is."
Before Isadora could respond, Fiona reentered, holding a tray of tea.
"I thought we could all use something warm," she said, setting it down. "It's such a tense day, isn't it?"
Vivienne didn't touch the tea.
Fiona sat beside Isadora, placing a hand gently on her arm. "I just want what's best for you, Izzy. We all do."
Isadora looked at the hand, then at her sister. "Do you?"
Fiona's voice was syrupy. "Of course. I mean, you've always been… different. Sensitive. And Kane,he's powerful, sophisticated. Intense, you know nothing like you.I just don't want you to get hurt."
Vivienne watched the exchange closely.
Fiona continued, "You remember what happened with Ethan. How hard that was for you. I just don't want history to repeat itself."
Isadora's voice was steady. "History won't repeat it self. I've changed."
Fiona smiled. "I hope so. Because if you haven't… well, it could be very painful. Again."
Vivienne's gaze shifted.
She had come here to put Isadora in her place. To remind her of the that she would never be in the same class with them and that she should forget about Kane.
But now, watching Fiona, all sweet and subtle cruelty,something twisted in her chest.
She saw it clearly for the first time, and her heart aches for the girl.
This girl, this quiet, composed woman,had no one.
Not even her own family.
And yet she stood there, unshaken
Vivienne masked her flicker of pity with a breath.
"It's late, I will leave now, but think about my offer, you will need it"
" No need because I won't accept it, not now not ever" Isadora said coldly as she got up
"Hm....Suit yourself"Vivienne said as she began walking out
" Isadora!! Can you at least act like a lady and be polite...let me walk you out" Fiona said turning to Vivenne, her smile bright with the thought that Vivienne would hate her
"No need" Vivienne replied still trying to figure the family dynamics in the Hayes house