After the call ended,


    Isadora felt a little awkward. She looked up, only to meet the man''s dark, intense eyes.


    Thinking of the rather candid things she''d just said, a blush crept up her cheeks, impossible to hide even amid the chaos within her.


    "I just..."


    She didn''t get to finish.


    Victor pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face in the curve of her neck. His breath was warm against her skin.


    Isadora''s eyshes fluttered. "Victor, there''s something I haven''t told you."


    "When I found out I was pregnant, I actually thought about moving to Europe for good. I''d already decided I''d raise the baby on my own."


    "Mhm."


    His voice was low and muffled, but he answered.


    Isadora''s throat tightened. She paused, then went on, "But then, every time you held my hand, every time you epted me without question, that idea slowly faded. I''ll admit it-I couldn''t bring myself to leave you."


    She felt a trace of dampness on her neck; her eyes stung with heat.


    She''de here to confess, and atst, she could say these things out loud.


    Taking a deep breath, Isadora continued, "Honestly, I''ve been selfish. In the beginning, I was always hesitating, never really sure."


    "I made a deal with Deanna once. She gave me thirty percent of The Vaughan Group''s shares, and in exchange, I agreed to let you go. I also wanted to use it to get back at Deanna for manipting you into the Fitzgerald Mansion."


    She said it all in one breath, not daring to look at his face.


    Victor lifted his head, his gaze steady and deep. He stared at her without blinking. "I''m d you''re telling me this on your own."


    Isadora stared at him in surprise. "You knew?"


    Victor''s lips quirked. "Piggy Vaughan, did you really think you were that good of an actress?"


    He didn''t sound angry at all.


    Isadora''s nose tingled. "Then why did you never confront me?"


    He never asked-maybe because he was afraid of what he''d hear.


    Victor had to admit, ever since meeting this woman, he''d be someone he barely recognized.


    Since he didn''t reply, Isadora,


    clutching her baby bump, blurted


    out, "I''ve got a free pass now, you


    know. For the baby''s sake, you''re not allowed to be mad at me."


    Victor reached out and tapped her forehead lightly. "I''m only angry you didn''t tell


    me sooner, not that you tried so hard to fight back alone."


    Isadora bit her lip. "But she''s your grandmother."


    Victor''s lips curled into a faint smile, and he chuckled. "How do you know I


    wouldn''t choose you?"


    Isadora''s eyes reddened.


    Thank you.


    Thank you, Victor.


    l.ne


    This time, won''t say I''m not worthy. I''m going to be brave and face everything with you. I''m holding your hand now, and I don''t n on letting go.


    The next day.


    Isadora was discharged from the hospital and returned to Fitzgerald Mansion.


    It wasn''t until she got home that she realized Victor had assigned several burly bodyguards to watch over her.


    Isadora wasn''t used to it and tried again and again to protest, but he wouldn''t budge.


    In the end, Victorpromised: the bodyguards would keep their distance and only follow discreetly, so her daily life wouldn''t be disturbed.


    After two days of rest at the mansion, Nte came with news-Olivia and her daughter would be attending the Capitolion charity g that evening.


    Isadora decided to go with Nte.


    After tonight, she was determined to see Olivia fall from grace and finally pay for everything she''d done.


    Victor lounged on the sofa, one leg


    crossed, tablet in hand as he


    worked When he heard movement, he looked up to see her in front of the full-length mirror, trying on her evening gown.