“She’s…” Isabelle hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “She’s not exactly… social. Or charming. Or confident. Why would someone like Damon look twice at her?”
Mariana’s eyes narrowed. “You underestimated your sister, Isabelle. River may not be like you, but she has her own strengths: kindness, intelligence, resilience. Maybe Damon saw something in her that no one else did.”
Before Mariana could continue, Isabelle burst into hysterical laughter, her sharp, grating cackle filling the room. “You must be joking, Mother,” Isabelle said between bouts of mocking laughter. “River and Delta Damon? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!”
Mariana’s eyes narrowed, her tone sharp as a blade as she interrupted her daughter. “I’m not joking, Isabelle. River told me herself that Damon wa
