Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 23

The calm surface of the pool shattered once again.

Before Isadora could react, Magnus had already leapt in after her with swift, decisive movements.

In the water, Magnus's powerful strokes carried him quickly to Elise's side. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her toward the edge of the pool.

Elise, once rescued, lay gasping on the ground, coughing up water that had flooded her lungs. Her eyes fluttered open, and when she saw Magnus, tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Magnus, I—I thought I'd never see you again," she choked out between sobs.

Ignoring the fact that he was drenched, Magnus draped a towel over Elise's trembling shoulders, then scooped her up in his arms.

As he passed Isadora, his voice was icy and sharp. "Isadora, I never thought you could be so cruel. If you want to play games, there has to be a limit. Elise isn't well this could have killed her."

Without waiting for a reply, Magnus carried Elise straight toward the front door, not sparing Isadora a single glance.

unreadable, her tone flat as she called after him. "Magnus,

words striking something deep within

tension in his body, looked up at him with anxiety. "Magnus, my chest hurts-really hurts. I can

then pressed forward, carrying her out

had

"Isadora should've known she couldn't

you really think Isadora will let go? She's been obsessed with Magnus for five years. She'll never give

for so long. Even if the world

Vaughan family barely had the energy to see their

in the Vaughan family's living room, tension hung

back and forth, hands clasped behind his back, face tight with worry. Eleanor sat nearby, gulping down iced tea in a futile attempt to cool her anger. Tonight's humiliation had surpassed anything she'd experienced in her life. Slamming her glass down, Eleanor turned on her daughter. "Isadora, what were you thinking? I wanted to talk about setting a wedding date, and you dragged Magnus

Isadora, his tone harsh.

glass of whiskey, swirling it thoughtfully before downing it

always rescue Elise-just as he had before, just as he

you truly this foolish? Why keep playing along