"Isadora!"
Magnus shouted her name.
Isadora heard the man''s voice behind her; her eyes flickered, barely betraying any emotion. At the same time, the strong arm around her waist tightened suddenly, possessive and unyielding.
In just a few strides, Magnus blocked their path, nting himself firmly in front of them.
Victor''s handsome face was cold and aloof. He curled his lips into a faint, mocking smile. "What is it? Want to see how sharp my aim is tonight?"
Magnus scowled, ignoring Victorpletely. His dark eyes were fixed on Isadora, intense and unwavering.
"Isadora, I need to talk to you. Alone."
Before Isadora could reply, Victor cut in without warning. "No."
Magnus clenched his jaw, his voice tight with anger. "Victor, I wasn''t talking to you!"
He turned back to Isadora, his gaze deep and desperate. His voice softened, almost pleading. "Isadora, please. Will you?"
Isadora could feel the temperature drop beside her, Victor''s presence turning as cold and forbidding as a winter night.
She looked at Magnus and spoke evenly, "There''s nothing left for us to say."
Magnus''s breath hitched. The color drained from his face, and his fists tightened until his knuckles turned white.
He knew he truly knew-that Isadora didn''t love him anymore.
But knowing didn''t stop the ache in his chest, that raw, stubborn hope that refused to die.
Seeing her in Victor''s arms, his heart twisted painfully.
Hearing she''d been hurt still tore him apart.
He''d told himself not toe after her, not to humiliate himself, but in the end, he just couldn''t help it.
Victor had nothing but contempt for Magnus. He pulled Isadora even closer, almost as if to shield her. "Did you hear her?" Victor sneered. "You can leave now."
He didn''t wait for a reply, turning with Isadora in his arms, ready to walk away.
Magnus''s eyes burned with red-hot fury. He ground his teeth, every word forced out between clenched jaws. "Victor, you''d better treat her right. If you don''t, I swear I won''t forgive you."
Victor nced back, his eyes icy and sharp, a slow, mocking smile forming at the corner of his mouth.
"And you think you have the right to say that to me?"
Victor''s words cut like a knife, slicing straight through whatever defenses Magnus had left.
If only he hadn''t believed Elise Harrison.
If only he''d cared more about Isadora''s feelings.
If only he''d been there the moment she was taken.
Would things have turned out differently? Would she still be his?
But there were no more "if onlys." Not anymore.
Magnus''s heart felt like it was being ripped apart. The words tumbled out before he could stop them.
"Victor, those five years between me and Isadora-don''t tell me you never cared about that?"
Isadora frowned, her patience finally snapping. "That''s enough, Magnus. Don''t make me regret even the
smallest kindness I ever
you."
Magnus''s eyes widened, his voice trembling, "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean—"
Victor looked down at Isadora, his dark eyes locked on hers, unreadable and fathomless.
She met his gaze in silence. They''d fought about this before-more than once. She didn''t know how he''d react this time.
After a moment, Victor''s tone was almostzy, impossible to read. "The past doesn''t matter. Why would I care?"
Isadora''s fingers twitched, as if she wanted to reach for him.
Without warning, Victor cupped her
chin, and right in front of Magnus
pressed his lips to
hunapologetic, iming leaving no doubt who she belonged to now.
Magnus flinched as if struck, vision
2 with rage. The veins in his
out, his fists
out, his fists shaking
barely contained emotion.
Just as Magnus was about to lose control, Victor broke the kiss.
He traced his thumb across Isadora''s lips, lingering for a moment, then finally let
her go.
He turned to Magnus with a cocky, taunting smile. "Face it. You lost."