Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

The hotel lobby was lined on both sides with staff, all bowing slightly in perfect unison. Their voices rang out together, "Wishing Miss Isadora a lifetime of happiness and good health!"

Isadora was so stunned, she forgot how to speak. She just stood there, frozen.

Victor stepped forward, took her hand, and guided her through the crowd and up to the penthouse suite.

The moment they entered, Isadora saw the floor was completely covered in a sea of flowers-vivid roses, peonies, lilies, blue hydrangeas-all woven together in a dazzling, colorful tapestry.

Isadora lingered at the door, a little overwhelmed by the sight.

"Um... what's all this supposed to mean tonight?" she managed.

Victor raised his eyebrows, his dark eyes shining with a hint of pride. "Do you like it?"

Isadora swallowed nervously.

If she dared say no now, would he have her thrown out?

Victor's gaze was intense as he watched her, the corners of his mouth curling into

a faint smile. "Isadora, this is my gift to you-for our child."

Isadora looked down, understanding at last.

All of this... was for their baby.

"Oh," she replied softly.

Victor reached out, gently pinching her cheek until she managed a small, reluctant smile. "Why so serious? Where's that smile?"

Isadora forced a grin, just to appease him.

Victor sighed theatrically. "You're a hard woman to please, Miss Isadora."

She walked further inside and set the rose she'd been holding into the blanket of flowers on the floor.

In the next second, Victor wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin atop her head. His voice dropped to a low, almost pleading whisper. "Don't turn me away tonight, please? Just for tonight."

Isadora's eyes flickered with uncertainty.

Above her, his voice was effortless and deep, with just a hint of mischief.

"Do you know why this hotel is called the ISA Grandeur?"

"It's for you, Isadora. I built it for you."

His words washed over her like a wave of warmth, swelling her heart until her eyes stung.

She blinked rapidly, then asked in a small voice, "But... this hotel was built three years ago. We didn't even know each other then."

"There was a party, three years ago. We met."

"Don't tell me you fell for me at first sight and built this whole place just for me?"

Isadora wasn't buying that story for a second.

Victor just smiled, voice playful. "Isadora, aren't you curious who first adopted Pudding?"

Isadora froze.

The woman who adopted Pudding-that was supposed to be his first love, the one he never forgot.

She couldn't help but look up, meeting the deep, shining gaze of the man before her.noveldrama

She saw her own reflection in his obsidian eyes, and suddenly, the answer seemed so close she could almost touch it.

Her heartbeat quickened, so fast her ears started to ring.

She found herself asking, almost breathless, "It was... who?"

Suddenly, at the worst possible moment, Victor's phone rang.

He fished it out of his pocket and, seeing the caller ID, hung up immediately.

But the phone rang again, insistent and shrill, like something that refused to be ignored.

Isadora's heart slowed as the moment faded. She stepped away from his arms. "You should answer that."

Victor shot her a look, then put the phone to his ear.

"Hello? Young master, it's your father-he had another attack. He's been rushed to the hospital!"

Victor's brow furrowed, deep and tight.

He hung up, looking torn. "I have to go. I'll have someone bring you home later."

Isadora couldn't quite name what she was feeling, so she pretended everything was fine. "Alright."

Victor made for the door, but paused. He looked back at her-her slender, solitary silhouette.

He turned abruptly and strode back to her side. "My father's sick again. Stay here tonight and rest, okay? I'll come back as soon as I can."