Fitzgerald Manor, Dining Room.


    Victor dismissed the staff, sending them quietly out of the room.


    Atst, the dining room fell into a wee silence, as if the chaos from moments ago had never happened. Now, only she and Victor remained.


    Isadora, still unsettled by everything she''d blurted out earlier, pushed back her chair and stood. "Um... I should head to work."


    She turned to leave, but before she could even take a step, Victor''s strong arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her gently onto hisp. His embrace was solid, enveloping herpletely.


    Victor reached for a bowl of nourishing breakfast porridge, his every movement elegant andposed, and scooped up a spoonful for her.


    "You hardly ate a thing. Have some breakfast before you go."


    Isadora gazed at the spoon he held to her lips, then took a sip. She swallowed, then risked a nce at his face.


    He looked asposed and handsome as ever, his longshes casting soft shadows over his unreadable, obsidian eyes—like none of the earlier drama had touched him at all.


    Victor raised his eyes, catching her cautious, searching gaze. His deep voice sounded almost nonchnt. "What is it? Is there something on my face?"


    Isadora looked away, cheeks burning as she remembered her outburst. Now she really did look like the woman who''d used a baby to secure her ce.


    She hesitated, then tried to exin. "About earlier..."


    Victor''s eyes softened as he studied her. He reached up and gently brushed a lock of hair from her face, his tone carrying a fond, teasing warmth. "You did great back there."


    Hershes fluttered, surprised by his praise.


    She''d just turned the Fitzgerald family upside down yet again.


    "Victor, Deanna is your grandmother. Aren''t you angry with me? Did I cross a line..."


    His expression didn''t change, but coldness flickered in his eyes.


    When Deanna had picked up that knife and lunged at Isadora, she might as well have turned it on him, too.


    "She tried to hurt you. I already gave her a chance."


    Victor fed her thest spoonful of


    porridge before setting the bowl aside. He tilted her chin up with a long finger, forcing her to meet his clear, unguarded gaze.


    "Isadora, remember this-no one gets to hurt you. Not even me. Understand?"


    He spoke with quiet conviction. "Actually, I was proud of you. You''re learning to stand up for yourself."


    "Only the strong can be fearless. I


    want you to be a brave


    woman not because I won''t protect


    you, but because I want you to feel free to do whatever makes you happy."


    For a long moment, Isadora stared into Victor''s unwavering eyes. His gaze


    seemed to say, Go ahead and live boldly. I''ll always have your back.


    A sudden heat pricked at her eyes, her throat tightening with emotion.


    No one had ever said anything like this to her before.


    His kindness made her feel almost guilty for using him against Deanna.


    Victor gently stroked her cheek, his voice low and soothing. "Pregnant women shouldn''t cry so much. I didn''t say this to make you tear up."


    She tried to regain herposure. "Who says I''m crying?"


    Victorughed, a soft, indulgent sound that seemed to settle deep into his bones. "Alright, my mistake."


    He brushed his thumb across her lips, his voice low and teasing. "Isadora, say my name again."


    "What?"


    His eyes sparkled mischievously


    he looked at her, a yful, expectant


    2ting up his features.


    did you call me just now, hmm?"


    u call me just not


    She''d called him "husband"—just to get a rise out of Deanna.


    Now, under his intense gaze, her cheeks burned red.


    She''d only said it to provoke someone, not because she meant it.


    But Victor wasn''t letting her off the hook; he waited, eyes fixed on her, clearly unwilling to give up.