Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Deanna's expression froze, her brows knitting together. "What's that supposed to mean?" she demanded.

Victor walked over to the hospital bed and dropped casually into the chair beside it. He lowered his head, his gaze fixed on the phone in his hand, and the room fell quiet for a long moment.

"Yesterday, the old man just passed away," he finally said, his voice low. "I hadn't planned on bringing this up so soon."

He lifted his head, his dark eyes locking onto Deanna's with an unusual gravity. "Mother, I want to marry Isadora."

Deanna's pupils contracted in shock; for a moment, her face was beyond pale-it was ashen with fury.

Her voice trembled with anger. "You know your grandfather just died, and now you're trying to send me to my grave, is that it?"

"Fine. You're head of the Fitzgerald family now. You don't need my permission for anything, do you?"

By the end, Deanna's voice broke, tears welling in her eyes. "Listen to me, Victor.

If you dare marry that woman, I'll end it right here in this room, so you can prepare for another funeral."

Victor's gaze flickered. He pressed his fingers to his brow, weary. "There's no need for this, Mother."

"All these years, I let you do things behind my back and never interfered. I didn't care about those other women. But Isadora... I love her."noveldrama

It was the first time Victor had ever spoken the word "love."

He'd never imagined it would apply to him. When he was a boy, after losing his parents, he'd been thrust early into the world of the Fitzgerald Group's heir- enduring a curriculum that covered everything except love.

Maybe the stirrings of his youth were only fleeting infatuation. But the jealousy and concern he'd felt for Isadora over the years? That was real. He was sure of it now: he loved her.

Deanna gave a cold, bitter laugh. "Love? Since when do people in our world marry for love? With your grandfather gone, your uncle Farrar has already flown back from Europe, ready to swoop in. Right now, your only concern should be protecting the Fitzgerald family—not chasing after some romance. If you hadn't refused the engagement with the Lancaster family, would I even be in this position?"

"After the old man's hundred-day memorial, I hope you'll have come to your senses. I'm not asking for your blessing, Victor. I'm telling you-I will marry Isadora."

Victor's eyes narrowed dangerously, his tone turning sharp. "As for Farrar... it's time I had a proper conversation with him."

Deanna turned her face away, refusing to meet her son's gaze. "I'm tired. Please leave."

Victor exited the VIP hospital suite and dialed his phone.

Ring. Ring. Ring-

It rang for a long time, but no one picked up.

Just then, Kemp approached, speaking in a respectful tone. "Mr. Fitzgerald, with Mr. Dorian's passing, there are reporters waiting for you at both the group headquarters and the estate. Also, the Fitzgerald Group's stock has been fluctuating. Many of the shareholders who built the company with your grandfather are getting restless. You'll need to call a board meeting soon to steady things."

Victor glanced down at his unanswered call and gave a crisp order. "Send someone to the Grandeur Hotel to bring Isadora home And make sure she has whatever she needs during this time-no exceptions."

*

A week passed.

Isadora went to work and came home, following her routine as if nothing had happened.

She acted as though Deanna's phone call had never existed.

Even when Victor's people came to pick her up that day, she turned them away with a cool, distant refusal.

On the surface, everything seemed unchanged. And yet, beneath it all, something had shifted.