Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 421 Bedroom.

After dinner, Victor realized he smelled like cooking oil-a detail his neat-freak tendencies couldn't tolerate-so he headed straight for a shower.

When he cout, toweling his hair, he saw Isadora and Pudding curled up together on the couch, the closing credits of a movie playing softly in the background.

He rubbed his short, damp hair with the towel. "What are you two up to?" Isadora glanced over as Victor emerged from the bathroom. He was shirtless, wearing only a pair of gray lounge pants, the towel slung around his neck. Drops of water clung to his dark hair and trickled down, tracing the lines of his chest.

Suddenly a little parched, Isadora quickly looked away, focusing on the TV. "Just watching a movie." Victor crossed the room and eyed Pudding.

He pointed to the spot beside him, giving the dog a silent command.

With an exaggerated sigh, Pudding grudgingly hauled himself up, plopped down a few inches over, and settled in with a huff.

Satisfied, Victor nodded and sat himself between Isadora and the sulking dog.

Isadora couldn't help but laugh at his childish maneuvering.

He'd cooked dinner tonight but hadn't let Pudding have any of the food-just made sure the housekeeper fed him kibble as usual.

It was Isadora who finally took pity and shared half her meal with the dog.

She stroked Pudding's head, soothing him. "You're such a good boy, Pudding- csit with your dad and watch with us." Pudding's tail thumped as Isadora spoke to him, bright eyes shining, barking happily in reply.

Without thinking, Isadora reached for Victor's towel, draping it over his head to dry his messy hair. Her soft fingers worked the towel through his hair, gentle and unhurried.

Victor's gaze softened, his eyes lingering on her as she dried his hair. His voice was low and teasing. "Since when are you so thoughtful?" Isadora felt her cheeks flush, realizing this was probably the first tshe'd ever dried his hair for him.

"It's payback for making dinner tonight," she said, trying to sound casual.

As she finished, about to set the towel aside, Victor caught her by the wrist and tugged her gently toward him. She stumbled, landing in his lap, caught off guard.

Victor tipped her chin up, his deep eyes searching hers. "That's it? That's all I get?" His face was so close now-handsome, intense, impossible to ignore. Isadora's heartbeat kicked up, her breath coming quicker.

Just then, Pudding let out an indignant bark from beside them, clearly displeased at being ignored.

The interruption snapped Isadora out of her trance, her ears burning. She tried to slide off Victor's lap, but his arm tightened around her waist, holding her in place.

"Stay. Watch the movie with me," he murmured.

The credits rolled. Victor frowned at the TV. "What on earth is this movie?" On-screen, the female lead was wailing, her sobs echoing in a melotic crescendo that made Victor's head ache.

"It's about a guy and a girl who grew up together, Isadora explained, "but after high school, he confessed his feelings and she turned him down. He left to study abroad, and when he finally cback, they still couldn't let go of their feelings, so they got back together-only to break up again in the end." Victor didn't look impressed.

"It's a romance film Nanette made. She askedto watch it," Isadora added, as if that might change his mind.

"Hmm." Isadora remembered Nanette would probably want her thoughts later, so she asked, "What did you think of it?" Victor gave the TV another glance and answered bluntly, "Mediocre acting, predictable plot." Isadora blinked. That was... brutally honest.

Across town, at the movie's wrap party, Nanette sneezed several times in a row- someone was clearly talking about her.

Victor seemed to remember something and asked casually, "Why did they break up again at the end?" "The guy found out," Isadora said quietly, "that the girl hadn't rejected

him because she didn't love him.

Back then, she actually made a deal with his parents-she agreed to turn him down so he'd go abroad like they wanted. When he returned and learned the truth, he felt betrayed, like everything was a lie. He couldn't handle it, so he walked away."

Victor's expression darkened, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. He smiled lightly, offhand. "What about you? Anything you've ever lied toabout?" The question pricked at Isadora's heart like a thorn.

She always felt like there was a ticking tbomb inside her. The better Victor treated her, the more she feared she'd let him down.

She'd once made a deal with Deanna, left Victor for the sake of company Then she'd shares. Then she'd used him again, hoping to strike back at Deanna.

She'd even planned to leave Capitolion and never look back. If he learned any of that, would he regret loving someone like her? Happiness always seemed as fragile as a soap bubble-beautiful, fleeting, and gone if you reached for it.

Isadora bit her lip, hesitating before she softly shook her head.

Victor's eyes grew darker, the light in them turning as deep as midnight.

When the movie ended, Pudding was, as usual, exiled to the hallway outside the bedroom.

Pudding sat obediently by the door, let out a long sigh, and resigned himself to his fate. He was used to it by now.

On the bed, Victor lifted Isadora's pale, slender legs.

She looked up at him, her lips parted in a soft, plaintive moan, eyes shining with tears. "Victor... be gentle." Victor's gaze burned, his jaw tight. He bent down, brushing her lips with his, and murmured, voice rough with longing, "Say it. Say you love me."