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.

face was unreadable, her tone flat as she called after him. "Magnus, don't say I never

her words striking something deep within

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

her pained expression, hesitated for a moment, then pressed forward, carrying her out as the onlookers

thirtieth anniversary celebration had turned into

like Elise's victory, once again," someone muttered. "Isadora should've known she couldn't win. If she keeps this up,

Isadora will let go? She's been obsessed with Magnus for five

Even if the world tells her to let go, she

to see their guests off. The

party, in the Vaughan family's living room,

daughter. "Isadora, what were you thinking? I wanted to talk about setting a wedding date, and you dragged Magnus away. Then, when I tried to get Elise to leave, you made her jump

his tone harsh. "Tomorrow, you're going to apologize to Magnus.

whiskey, swirling it thoughtfully before downing it in one. Her words were

rescue Elise-just as he had before, just as he always would. And in that moment, Isadora felt

you truly this foolish? Why keep playing along with

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