Isadora poked at the strong arm wrapped around her waist.


    "Well, Mr. Fitzgerald, you were pretty harsh with me back then, weren''t you?" Victor pressed an apologetic kiss to her pale neck. "I know. I''m sorry."


    He hadn''t known she was pregnant at the time. All he''d seen was her looking nauseous over dinner with him, and he''d assumed she just found hispany unbearable.


    Jealousy and anger had surged within him, making himsh out without thinking.


    It wasn''t untilter that he learned the real reason behind her reaction.


    Guilt gnawed at him ever since.


    As his lips brushed gently against her skin, his warm breath tickled her ear.


    Somehow, Isadora''s heart meltedpletely.


    They talked idly for a while, conversation flowing and fading, the room wrapped in a tender,nguid warmth.


    After a bit, Isadora''s eyelids grew heavier and heavier.


    The nights had been chillytely. The previous evening, she''d slept alone, and it had taken hours for the sheets to finally warm up.


    But now, nestled in his arms, Victor was like a living furnace-radiating heat, soothing andforting, coaxing her gently toward sleep.


    She shifted to find afortable spot and unconsciously drifted off.


    Victor looked down at the woman sleeping in his embrace. Hershes fanned across her cheeks, thick and dark, her breathing slow and peaceful. He whispered, "Goodnight, darling."


    The next morning, Isadora went to work as usual.


    The Vaughan Group''s department store was in the midst of a major transition. She was also preparing to hand over her position as general manager to a professional executive.


    These days, her schedule was packed.


    After back-to-back meetings, she finally had a moment to breathe.


    That''s when her phone rang-a number she hadn''t seen in a long time. Isadora hesitated, staring at the screen for a moment before answering. "Mr. Fawcett, is there something you need?"


    Terrell Fawcett winced inwardly at the calm, distant tone in her voice.


    "Isadora, I heard you''re nning to hand The Vaughan Group over to a professional manager. Do you have something in mind?"


    He was the one who had rmended the executive, so the news didn''t surprise him.


    Isadora didn''t hide the truth. "My pregnancy''s progressing, and soon I won''t be able to manage everything at thepany."


    Terrell paused, caught off guard.


    He''d thought... maybe she was nning to leave Capitolion for good. And if that was the case, perhaps he still had a chance.


    But his voice remained warm and polite. "Of course. If you need anything, you know where to find me."


    Isadora was about to hang up when she heard his voice again, softer this time. "Are you free tonight?"


    He quickly rified, "No pressure, really. There''s a business


    thought you might like to


    When Isadora didn''t answer right away, Terrell''s tone took on a hint of frustration. "Or is he controlling you so much that you can''t even attend a normal event anymore?"


    Isadora pressed her lips together. "Mr. Fawcett, thank you for the invitation, but I''ll


    have to decline tonight."


    Terrell frowned; his voice was


    rushed, almost pleading. "Is he forcing you? Has he taken away


    Oyour basic freedom? What kind


    of man does that make him?"


    "No, it''s not like that."


    She paused. "I just... don''t want to make him jealous, that''s all."


    On the other end of the line, Terrell was left speechless.


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


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!