Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Eleanor hurried in, nearly breathless.

The moment she spotted Nanette, her voice trembled with worry. "How's Isadora? Is she alright?"

Nanette's eyes were red, heart aching at the memory of Isadora gritting her teeth against the pain. “They just took her into the delivery room."

Eleanor's gaze darted anxiously around the hospital corridors. "Where's Victor? Isn't he supposed to be here? She's about to give birth, for heaven's sake-why isn't he here?"

Nanette clenched her jaw. "His phone's off. I can't reach him."

With no other options, Eleanor clutched the silver cross at her neck and stepped aside. Hands clasped, she began to pray under her breath, "Please, keep Isadora and her baby safe."

On the other side of the hospital, Finley had just arrived after hearing Isadora was in labor.

But as soon as Nanette saw him, all her pent-up frustration toward Victor spilled over. "Isadora's about to give birth and Victor's nowhere to be found! Men- honestly, you're all the same."

"Alright, alright, calm down. I'll try calling Victor now," Finley said, quickly pulling out his phone.

He dialed Victor's number. The call rang out-cold, mechanical, with no answer.

Nanette nearly exploded with rage, her face flushed and her hands shaking. "If something happens to Isadora or the baby, Victor will regret it for the rest of his life!"

*

At the casino, Farrar's face twisted into a scowl as he ended his call.

With a loud crash, he kicked the poker table, chips scattering everywhere.

He glared at the man across from him—a handsome, composed figure with an air

of reserved power. "Well, Victor! I really underestimated you, didn't I? You've ruined my business overseas, and now you're trying to wipe me out here too. Damn you!"

deliberate.

he lunged, swinging a

didn't flinch. He caught Farrar's

yank his hand free, but Victor held tight, and with a single

a hulking man in a dark suit, immediately drew

through the room. Gamblers and dealers scrambled for cover-the croupier went pale

front of Victor, his face tense. "Farrar, this is Capitolion, not some lawless back

table, his expression twisted, eyes bloodshot with hate. "I've

Kemp a

a phone across the table, its screen

young boy, no older than seven, were tied to chairs, shouting desperately

"Maybe they'd like to join

on the screen-on his wife and son. Hatred darkened his face. He ground out each word. "Victor.

his voice icy. "Drop

in Farrar's temple. After a long, tense moment, he jerked

the bodyguard reluctantly tossed

men quickly swept up the

burst through

under arrest for arms trafficking and drug distribution. Put your hands where we

face contorted,

bitter laugh. "Victor, you're even more ruthless than thought should've finished you and your father off when you were

lunged under the table, pulling

lightning fast as he

room,

Farrar's men clashed, trading gunfire. Kemp shielded Victor,

out of the casino's back

messages, his composure cracked His expression turned grim, urgency in his voice. "Where's the

the keys. "Parked out front.