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.

expression darkening. "What are you

It was Nannie Hayes.

Victor's mother during a kidnapping. In gratitude, Mrs. Fitzgerald had taken responsibility for Nannie, supporting her and providing for her

changed the entire course

had often played with him, always at his side. If you squinted, you could almost call them childhood friends, though in truth,

chess piece: as long as she obeyed, prosperity and privilege were hers. But one day, this loyal

Mrs. Fitzgerald found out, she sent Nannie abroad. Nearly ten years had passed since

old lady had called, asking her to deliver

looked at the

as ever: sharply defined features, a strong nose, and those hooded eyes that always held a hint of

glance, and she felt her heart

lady see

check on you. She was worried you'd get so caught up in

insulated container on

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

bring it to you, but the

long fingers, his gaze turning cold. "Unless it's important,

stood quietly, obedient as