Victor frowned. "Keep Nte away from my woman. I don''t want her picking up bad habits."


    Finley''s expression soured. He was nothing if not protective.


    "What''s wrong with Nte? She''s just straightforward, that''s all. Honestly, Victor, you coddle Isa too much. She''s about to be Mrs. Fitzgerald, head of the family business. She''s going to meet all sorts, and you won''t always be there to shield her."


    He had a point-Victor couldn''t be by her side every minute.


    The thought made Victor consider assigning bodyguards to Isadora. He couldn''t let something like this happen again.


    With a long stride, Victor pushed open the hospital room door and stepped inside. Finley hurried after him.


    Nte, caught mid-sentence, froze when she saw them enter. She felt a twinge of guilt—had Victor overheard her earlier? Trying to y it cool, she rose from the edge of the bed.


    Victor walked straight to Isadora''s side, his tone gentle as he asked, "Did you take your vitamins?"


    Isadora nodded obediently. "I took them this morning and at lunch."


    Victor took her hand, his face impassive. "The doctor said you need plenty of rest. No unnecessary visitors."


    Finley shot him a look-when had the doctor ever said that?


    Nte realized what was happening: Victor was kicking them out. Her, specifically.


    She opened her mouth to protest, but Finley cut her off.


    "Come on, Nte, let''s go grab a coffee."


    Nte red at him. "I have things to do. Who said I wanted to hang out with you?"


    Ignoring her protest, Finley scooped her up and started dragging her toward the door.


    "Let''s go, let''s go. It''s me who wants to hang out with you."


    "Hey! Stop pulling me-I wasn''t finished talking to Isadora!"


    Still bickering, Finley hustled Nte out of the room. Isadora simply blinked. "..."


    A peaceful hush settled over the hospital room, leaving only Victor and Isadora.


    Victor sat beside her, his dark eyes


    searching her face with quiet


    intensity. Herplexion was much improved, her eyes bright and clear, and something about that soft innocence tugged at his heart.


    Victor''s gaze deepened. Without a word, he caught her slender hand and brought


    it to his lips, gently grazing her fingertips with his teeth.


    A fluttery tickle shot up Isadora''s arm, as if a feather had brushed her heart. She couldn''t help the smile tugging at her lips. "Don''t youhave work to do at thepany?"


    "Nothing urgent."


    "Oh."


    She hesitated, wanting to ask about the Fitzgerald Group''s board meeting but unsure how to bring it up. If it weren''t for her, Victor wouldn''t be dealing with all this trouble.


    Victor was watching her closely, his tone unusually serious and low. "Isadora, when you''re discharged, let''s go get our marriage license."


    She blinked in surprise. "Already? So soon?"


    He gave a softugh, his gaze dropping to her gently rounded belly. His voice was


    low and warm. "Your stomach''s already showing. Hardly seems fast."


    "Oh."


    "What''s wrong? Don''t want to marry me?"


    Victor hooked a finger under her chin, tilting her face up until she met his eyes, His tone waszy, but his gaze was intent. "Doesn''t matter if you don''t. It''s toote. You''re mine now-my Mrs. Fitzgerald."


    Meeting Victor''s dark, fathomless eyes, Isadora felt her cheeks flush.


    What did he mean, she''d be his for the rest of her life?


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!