Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 422 Isadora never managed to say those three words I love you.

Pulling off acrobatics like that while pregnant had left her utterly exhausted; eventually, she fell asleep, drenched in sweat.

Even in her sleep, Isadora vaguely sensed Victor cleaning her up once more, gently drying her hair, then slipping into bed and holding her close as they both drifted off.

The next morning- Isadora had an appointment with Nanette for a day of pampering.

Nanette had just wrapped up filming her latest romance and, for once, had a few precious days off.

The spa was elegant and serene. Two plush massage beds sat side by side, and the women had changed into soft, comfortable robes.

Nanette was lying face-down for a back treatment, her pale, slender back exposed as the therapist massaged aromatic oils into her skin with practiced hands.

The conversation was easy. "So, Isadora, what did you think of my show?" Nanette asked, glancing over her shoulder.

Isadora, eyes closed, had chosen a simple hydrating facial-no frills, just a gentle cleanse and a cooling moisturizing mask that left her fair skin glowing with a rosy freshness.

Hearing Nanette's question, Isadora thought of Victor's blunt review-"predictable plot, average acting"-and coughed softly. "It was... alright." Nanette laughed. "I knew it! My fans online keep saying I can still pull off a high school girl--guess all the skincare pays off. You know, a woman really has to take care of herself." Just as she finished speaking, Nanette winced. "Ow-easy, please!" "Sorry, Miss Nanette," the therapist apologized. "Could you lower your robe just a bit? That way I can work on your lower back." Isadora's gaze happened to fall on Nanette's waist, where she spotted a patchwork of blue and purple marks. Having sexperience in these matters, Isadora recognized the telltale signs and teased, "Nanette, is there a new man in your life?" A rare blush crept across Nanette's cheeks. "What man?" "Don't try to change the subject. Who is he? He must be something if even your back isn't safe. Don't telldid he...?" Flustered, Nanette shot her a look. "Isa, you're terrible! Mr. Victor Fitzgerald has clearly been a bad influence on you!" "Con, tellwhich male model from the industry is it this time?" Nanette's last boyfriend, Halley, had been a jerk, but undeniably handsome. Those devil-may-care eyes could practically short-circuit a TV screen.

After all these years in showbiz, Nanette's top three rules for men were: one, he has to be hot; two, a great body; three, he listens.

"Why don't you guess?" Nanette grinned mischievously.

"If you wantto guess, it must be someone I know. Wait-don't tellit's Scales Donovan!" Isadora was so surprised she nearly sat up. "No way-did he finally win you over?" "As if! That guy could strip naked and I still wouldn't bat an eye." "Then who...?" Nanette let the ndrop with tic flair. "Finley." Isadora's eyebrows shot up in surprise. It took her a moment to recover. "You and him—are you serious?" "Serious? What does that even mean?" Finley was one of Victor's closest friends. Isadora hadn't spent much twith him, but her impression was positive.

She hesitated, then said quietly, "Just... don't mess with him, okay?" "What? Are you my best friend or his? Since when is it onlywho's not allowed to play around he can't be the one playing me?" "So, you're both just... playing?" Nanette's smile was bright and carefree. "Men are just for balancing hormones. He's easy on the eyes, so why not give it a try?" But something in her tone made Isadora suspect there was more to it.

Nanette quickly changed the subject. "Let's not talk about me. You know how I am-never take relationships too seriously. But you-The Fitzgerald Group's official wedding announcement is out! I still can't believe you're getting married next month. Feels like a dream." Isadora smiled faintly. "It feels that way to me, too." "At least Victor Fitzgerald made it public. That proves he's serious. These days, so many men keep their girlfriends off their social media, pretending they're single." Nanette kept chatting, but when Isadora didn't respond, she looked over and found her friend deep in thought, eyes downcast.

"What's wrong, Isadora? You're about to be a bride-don't tellyou still doubt Victor's feelings for you?"

Isadora pressed her lips together. "No... It's because I know he's m genuine that feel so guilty. Nanette, you remember I was planning to move overseas." "If you're marrying Victor Fitzgerald, you can't just leave," Nanette said, puzzled. "Why would you want to leave Capitolion?" "No, I'm not going. I've decided." Isadora's tone was firm.

"But I haven't told my mother yet. She's already bought a place in m Europe and is really looking forward to starting a new life withthere." Nanette groaned. "That's tough." Isadora gave a bittersweet smile. "What's worse, I've never told Victor any of this. And at first, I—well, I used him for a deal." "Every tI look at him and try to confess, I'm terrified he'll walk away if he finds out." Nanette considered her friend's confusion for a moment. "If he truly loves you, he'll forgive you."

"My advice? Be brave and tell him. Besides, if his grandmother hadn't pushed you so hard would you even have gone that far? What were you supposed to do, just let them walk all over you?" Isadora shot her a look. "That's not what your movie says. The male lead left without a backward glance when he found out!" Nanette coughed, embarrassed. "Movies are movies. Real life's messier." "You have no idea how much crazier real life can get," Nanette muttered, rolling her eyes. "You're already dreaming up a soap opera scenain your head, aren't you?" Isadora sighed, hearing Nanette's rare note of seriousness. "Isadora, just be brave for him-just this once."