Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 177

Isadora's hand slipped, and her phone tumbled to the floor.

A woman's voice was still coming through the speaker, but Isadora ended the call on reflex.

Maybe it was just an accident.

She tried to reassure herself, but her fingers trembled on the steering wheel.

For a long moment, Isadora just sat there, folding her hands over the wheel and lowering her head against it, lost in silent, tangled thoughts.

From outside the car, the interior looked dim and shadowed. Her slender figure was hunched in the driver's seat, shoulders shaking ever so slightly with quiet despair.

***

Across the Atlantic, in Solstrand.

Victor emerged from the bathroom wearing gray lounge pants, a black sweater thrown on carelessly, and a towel draped around his neck. His hair was damp and a bit tousled.

He paused when he saw the tall woman in the living room, dressed in a crisp white shirt and jeans.

handsome brow furrowed, his expression darkening. "What

It was Nannie Hayes.

sacrificed himself to save Victor's mother during a kidnapping. In gratitude, Mrs. Fitzgerald had taken responsibility for

had changed the

side. If you squinted, you could almost call them childhood friends, though in truth, it was a bond more precious to Nannie than to Victor. Most of the time, she simply watched him

like a chess piece: as long as she obeyed, prosperity and

Nannie abroad. Nearly ten years had passed since

old lady had called, asking her to deliver something—and, perhaps, to take care of a few other

at the

was as breathtaking as ever: sharply defined features, a strong nose, and those hooded eyes that always held a hint of mischief. Nothing about him

one glance, and she felt her heart beat back to

let the old lady see

asked me to check on you. She was

set the insulated container on the

the laundry basket, and, without sparing her another look, asked, "Was that my phone ringing

was going to bring it to you,

his gaze turning cold.

stood quietly, obedient as ever.