Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Magnus shot Isadora a cold glance, his brow furrowing.

"Gideon, once you're done here, get out. Don't make a mess."

"Don't be an idiot, Magnus. Last time Isadora tried to make Elise jump in the river; this time she shows up at her door and throws boiling water at her. The woman's poison, and she's out for Elise's life! If you won't teach her a lesson, I will!"

"Gideon, I'll handle this. Leave. Now."noveldrama

Magnus forcefully shook off Gideon's hand.

Gideon stumbled back a few steps.

Isadora watched the whole scene, unimpressed.

She hadn't done a thing, but Dr. Gideon looked ready to hit her.

She wasn't sure if Magnus was actually trying to protect her, or just saving face for himself.

Isadora pulled out her phone, switched on the camera, and started recording.

"Gideon, if you so much as touch me, this video goes straight to your hospital. I'll report you. Let's see how long your medical license lasts."

Gideon glared at her, eyes bloodshot with rage.

She really was as venomous as they said.

She wasn't even worth the dirt under Elise's feet.

He honestly couldn't understand what Magnus saw in a woman like this.

But then he caught the icy look in Magnus's eyes—a flash of something lethal-

and suddenly felt a flicker of fear. He snapped back to himself.

Gideon took a deep breath, lowered his voice, and said to Elise, "If anyone bothers you, just call me. I'll be right outside."

With that, he finally left.

The room was quiet again, just the three of them.

Elise perched on the edge of the sofa, looking heartbreakingly fragile. Magnus and Isadora stood across from each other, locked in a silent standoff. Magnus's jaw was tight, his brow still creased, and his eyes never left Isadora. Ever since that disastrous day at the bridal boutique, Magnus had thrown himself into work during the day and numbed himself with whiskey at night. Every time he remembered that Isadora's first time hadn't been with him, a storm of anger, resentment, and guilt blazed in his chest.

But then he'd remember the marks she'd flaunted at the boutique, using them to get back at him.

Sure, Isadora's first time had been stolen by those kidnappers. But had she gone out of her way to be with other men since then, just to spite him?

The thought of it made Magnus feel like his pride had been ground into the dirt.

He wanted to strangle her-not to punish her, but to stop her from humiliating him any further.

For days, he'd carried this burning fury with nowhere to put it.

And now, here she was again, cold and unyielding as ever.

Something snapped in Magnus's mind. His voice was low and precise. "Was it you who poured the boiling water on Elise?"

Isadora gave a small, sarcastic smile. "And what if I say it wasn't?”

Elise, terrified that Magnus might actually believe her, grew desperate. She'd just gone through all the pain of hurting herself-she couldn't let it go to waste.

"Isadora, so what are you saying? That I poured it on myself? I already told you I won't press charges, so why are you still trying to slander me?"

Magnus ignored Elise for the moment.

His gaze stayed fixed on Isadora. "Isadora. Was it you, or not?"

Isadora could feel the anger rolling off Magnus in waves.

She couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "Magnus, what is it you actually care about?"

Magnus's eyes were red as he ground out, "What do I care about?"

He cared that her first time hadn't been with him.

He cared that she might have slept with other men to get back at him.

He cared that she wasn't "clean" anymore.

Magnus cared so much it was eating him alive.

He felt like a fool, his pride trampled underfoot.

And yet Isadora still refused to admit any fault, still acted like she was in the right.

He wanted to drag her to the shower and scrub her clean all over again.

But deep down, he knew part of this mess was his fault, too.

Magnus took a shaky breath. "If you say it wasn't you this time, I'll believe you."