Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Isadora thought back on how much she'd been talking to Victor lately.

"Come on, give me a hint, will you?"

Victor's deep voice rumbled in reply, drawing out every syllable of her name. "Isadora."

A spark of realization flashed in her mind.

She glanced at him, her gaze gentle, and murmured softly, almost shyly, "H- honey?"

The word had barely left her lips before her ears warmed, turning a delicate shade

of pink.

Victor's eyes lit up at once. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his voice low and longing. "Say it again..."

A little while later, Isadora's eyes darted mischievously.

"You know, I've just told you everything on my mind. To be fair, isn't it your turn to tell me about your stuff?"

"What stuff?" Victor asked, feigning ignorance.

She blurted out, "You have the Fitzgerald Group's board meeting tomorrow, don't you?"

Under Victor's intense gaze, Isadora stuck out her tongue playfully.

"I know ever since we announced our engagement, Fitzgerald Group's stock has dropped a bit. Some of the old board members are even pushing to oust you." Victor's brow tightened, his arm instinctively pulling her closer.

"So, does this mean you don't want to marry me anymore?" he asked, voice tense.

"No, no! Of course not."

With that, Victor's grip on her loosened slightly.

Isadora closed her eyes for a second, then confessed, "It's just... I worry about you too, you know?"

Victor's eyes softened, a lazy warmth spreading across his features. "Don't worry about me. You really think I can't handle a handful of grumpy old men? Don't forget, I'm a ninth-degree black belt in Taekwondo-ten of them couldn't take me if they tried."

Isadora rolled her eyes. "Come on! I'm being serious here."

"I'm serious too. You know how strong I am."

She could only sigh in exasperation.

...

After dinner, Isadora took a bath and settled onto the couch.

Lately, she'd grown fond of curling up and watching movies in the evenings. The couch was curved and plush, soft as a cloud; the moment she sank into it, she felt as if she were floating.

Pudding, their golden retriever, nestled up against her legs, content to watch the glowing screen beside her.

Victor finished his work in the study,

then came into the living room. He

sat beside her, gently lifted herdegs

onto his lap, and began to massage her feet with practiced hands.

He'd read up on pregnancy guides. At this stage, pregnant women often got

cramps, so a good massage helped with circulation.

Isadora's whole body relaxed, her eyes half-closed with contentment.

Victor glanced up at the TV. "Another movie? Don't tell me Nanette's starring in this one again?"

Isadora laughed. "No, not this time. It's a new release."

She remembered his not-so-kind critique of Nanette's last romance film. Clearly, this genre wasn't his thing.noveldrama

"You go take your shower. I'll be fine here," she said.

He shook his head, "I'll stay with you."

Night fell. The moon floated high in

the deep blue sky, its silver glow spilling through the window, painting soft, dreamy patterns across the room. Everything felt warm,

peaceful, and still.

"Victor," Isadora called softly.

Victor's skilled fingers worked their way from her calf down to her ankle. “Hmm?"

"Do you want our baby to be a girl or a boy?"

"Either is fine," Victor replied, eyes half-closed, thoughtful. "But I think it'd be nice if our first is a girl."

"Why's that?"

He smiled, glancing at her. "So she'll be like you."

Isadora beamed, unable to hide her delight. "Do you really love me that much?"

Victor caught the little smirk on her lips and couldn't help but grin. "What do you think?"

"Come on, isn't it true? You just said you want a daughter who's like me."

He leaned in, a playful glint in his eye. "Because you're always so stubborn. I

need a sweet little angel to balance you out."