Isadora had never seen Magnus so humbled before.


    Magnus had always been proud-aloof, even. With his wealth and status, he''d grown ustomed to being at the center of everything, the world revolving effortlessly around him.


    In the five years they''d been together, Isadora had never seen him like this.


    For a moment, she forgot how to respond.


    It wasn''t until Nte, lying ufortably on the couch, let out a soft groan that Isadora snapped out of her daze.


    She took a breath and found her voice. "Magnus, there''s nothing left between us. There was a time when I longed to hear you say these things, but it''s been five years—any warmth I felt has long since turned cold. Let''s just let each other go."


    Magnus''s eyes turned icy. "Is this about Victor?"


    Isadora stayed silent.


    Even if there were no Victor, she and Magnus were done. It wasn''t about him, not really. But her silence, in Magnus''s eyes, was all the confirmation he needed.


    He couldn''t believe it-Isadora, of all people, had feelings for someone like Victor. Just the thought sent a tidal wave of anger crashing over him, threatening to drown out all reason.


    Magnus clenched his jaw. "Isadora, everyone in Capitolion knows the Fitzgeralds and the Wainwrights have been rivals for generations. And you''re my fiancée. Think for a second-why do you think Victor is interested in you? He''s just trying to get back at me. That''s all this is. He doesn''t care about you, he''s just using you to hurt me. Don''t be so naive."


    At his words, Isadora''s fists clenched so tightly her knuckles went white. She snapped, her voice rising, "Enough! Do you really think everyone is like you? Two- timing, never loyal to anyone but yourself. Magnus, the only person you''ve ever truly loved is you."


    Magnus stared at her, bristling with anger, every part of him on edge.


    He frowned, the aggression slowly draining from his posture.


    What was he even doing?


    How had he let things spiral out of control, again?


    Tonight, he''de hoping to win her back, not push her further away.


    Magnus forced himself to calm down, his voice dropping. "Isadora, I just don''t want to see you get hurt. The Fitzgeralds-they''d never ept you. And besides, there have been rumors for years that Victor is already promised to someone from LS Capital Holdings in Europe. If you get involved with him, you''ll only end up suffering."


    Isadora felt a chill run through her. Her expression darkened, but she managed a bitter smile. "I''ve been hurt enough by you. Did you really think your family ever truly epted me? Didn''t your mother go out of her way to humiliate me?" At that jab, Magnus went rigid.


    It was true-his mother, Faustina, had always looked down on Isadora, never missing a chance to make her feel unwee.


    And what had he done about it?


    Nothing. Not a damn thing.


    The realization cut into him like a knife, sharp and deep.


    His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. "Isadora, give me a chance to make it right. I swear, I''ll never let you get hurt again. I''ll protect you from everyone, even myself. Whatever you don''t like about me—I''ll change, I promise."


    Isadora''s face was cold as stone. "Don''t bother. There''s only one thing I want you to change—never show your face in front of me again."


    Just then, a waitress approached their table.


    Isadora had no patience left for this conversation.


    She nodded to the waitress and together, they helped Nte up and made their way to the door.


    Magnus watched her walk away, and for the first time, felt as if a de had pierced straight through his chest. The pain radiated through his entire body, leaving him numb.


    He let out a bitter, self-mockingugh.


    So this was the truth: he was the one who''d hurt her the most.


    Later, Isadora saw Nte home, gently wiping her friend''s face with a towel and tucking her into bed before leaving the room.


    It waste-toote to bother going home-so she decided to stay at Nte''s ce. There was a guest room just for her.


    After a quick shower, she slipped into bed. She was exhausted, but sleep wouldn''te. She tossed and turned, her mind reying everything Magnus had said.


    "Victor is just using you."


    "Women like you would never be epted by a family like the Fitzgeralds." The words echoed, cruel and unrelenting, as she stared into the darkness.