Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 505

Brocade Heights.

They returned from city hall in the late afternoon, a hush settling between them as they stepped inside. The moment Isadora crossed the threshold, a strange emptiness crept in. This place-her home for the past year-felt suddenly ill- suited for newlyweds.

And in just a few months, their baby would be born.

Any woman about to become a mother would want to give her child the best possible start; a warm, safe space that belonged just to their little family. Isadora was no exception.

"Do you have any other houses?" she asked, setting her purse on the entryway table.

Victor arched an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Where do you want to live?"

She thought for a moment. "Somewhere bigger, closer to a good school and a hospital, somewhere with easy access to the city. And enough space for two staff members."

As Isadora listed her requests, she caught Victor watching her, his gaze intent and unwavering.

She touched her face, suddenly self-conscious. "What is it?"

He didn't look away, his dark eyes glinting as his lips curled into a teasing smile. "You're... different. There's something about you."

She blinked at him, thrown. "Something about me?"

He leaned in, voice low. "You have the glow of a married woman."

Isadora felt her cheeks flush, warmth blooming up her neck.

Victor pressed a fond kiss to her now-pink cheek, and with a lightness in his step, he disappeared into the kitchen.

the sofa, legs tucked beneath her, scrolling absentmindedly through her phone. Every so often, she glanced up at the man moving confidently around the kitchen, sleeves rolled to his elbows as he

was simply official now. But it felt good -righteously official, as if

phone buzzed, and a notification caught her eye. Someone had

herself staring at a picture of

the best is yet to

posted on social media. The last few times he'd shared anything, it was either a news article about finance or a photo of Pudding, their cat, leaping midair with a toy

feed. Sure enough, there was Pudding-

Pudding as a child. The kitten had been filthy, barely weaned, with an injured leg. But she'd been so dependent on Isadora

made her chest ache. For a brief minute, Isadora allowed herself to mourn, tears stinging her eyes. But she wiped them away, reminding herself that the best way to honor Pudding's

drew a deep breath, saved the marriage certificate photo to her

she posted her

Fitzgerald, looking forward to the

wedding photo and hit

instantly, her phone exploded with

Isadora silenced her phone, stood, and padded toward the

shirt sleeves rolled up to reveal

him and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek to his solid back and inhaling the clean,

paused, sensing

aren't you resting?" he asked, voice

voice soft and sweet, just a hint of playful

gentle and warm, Adam's apple bobbing as her words washed over

his shirt.

mischievous smile, his gaze darkening. His voice dropped, rough and intoxicating,

after dinner and long, steamy showers, Isadora sprawled lazily across the

messages from