Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Brocade Heights.

They returned from city hall in the late afternoon, a hush settling between them as they stepped inside. The moment Isadora crossed the threshold, a strange emptiness crept in. This place-her home for the past year-felt suddenly ill- suited for newlyweds.

And in just a few months, their baby would be born.

Any woman about to become a mother would want to give her child the best possible start; a warm, safe space that belonged just to their little family. Isadora was no exception.

"Do you have any other houses?" she asked, setting her purse on the entryway table.

Victor arched an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Where do you want to live?"

She thought for a moment. "Somewhere bigger, closer to a good school and a hospital, somewhere with easy access to the city. And enough space for two staff members."

As Isadora listed her requests, she caught Victor watching her, his gaze intent and unwavering.

She touched her face, suddenly self-conscious. "What is it?"

He didn't look away, his dark eyes glinting as his lips curled into a teasing smile. "You're... different. There's something about you."

She blinked at him, thrown. "Something about me?"

He leaned in, voice low. "You have the glow of a married woman."

Isadora felt her cheeks flush, warmth blooming up her neck.

Victor pressed a fond kiss to her now-pink cheek, and with a lightness in his step, he disappeared into the kitchen.

Isadora curled up on the sofa, legs tucked beneath her, scrolling absentmindedly through her phone. Every so often, she glanced up at the man moving confidently around the kitchen, sleeves rolled to his elbows as he got to work.

Truth be told, not much felt different now that they were officially married. They'd already been living together for a while; it was simply official now. But it felt good -righteously official, as if she could finally say, "He's my husband, and no one else can have him."

Her phone buzzed, and a notification caught her eye. Someone had posted a photo half an hour ago.

She tapped it open and found herself staring at a picture of their marriage certificate-today's date still fresh on the document.

Caption: "Mrs. Fitzgerald, the best is yet to come."

Isadora blinked in surprise. Victor almost never posted on social media. The last few times he'd shared anything, it was either a news article about finance or a photo of Pudding, their cat, leaping midair with a toy in her mouth.

Curious, Isadora scrolled through his feed. Sure enough, there was Pudding- fluffy, proud, and adorable as ever-caught in a perfect leap.

She remembered the first time she found Pudding as a child. The kitten had been filthy, barely weaned, with an injured leg. But she'd been so dependent on Isadora —every time she brought scraps of food, Pudding would look up at her with wide, hopeful eyes and wag her tiny tail in gratitude.

The memory made her chest ache. For a brief minute, Isadora allowed herself to mourn, tears stinging her eyes. But she wiped them away, reminding herself that the best way to honor Pudding's memory was to live happily with Victor.

She drew a deep breath, saved the marriage certificate photo to her phone, and exited Victor's profile.

Then, she posted her own update.

Caption: "Mr. Fitzgerald, looking forward to the future together."

She attached their wedding photo and hit publish.

Almost instantly, her phone exploded with notifications-congratulations pouring in like spring rain.

Smiling, Isadora silenced her phone, stood, and padded toward the kitchen.

Victor stood at the stove, tall and broad-shouldered, his white shirt sleeves rolled up to reveal strong, tanned arms as he expertly seared steaks.

Isadora slipped behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek to his solid back and inhaling the clean, soapy scent of him.

Victor paused, sensing her touch.

"Why aren't you resting?" he asked, voice gentle.

"Husband," she murmured, her voice soft and sweet, just a hint of playful affection.

He glanced over his shoulder, eyes gentle and warm, Adam's apple bobbing as her words washed over him.

Isadora's fingers traced lazy circles along his shirt. "You haven't said anything to me yet."

Victor's lips curved into a slow, mischievous smile, his gaze darkening. His voice dropped, rough and intoxicating, "Wife. I love you, too."

That night, after dinner and long, steamy showers, Isadora sprawled lazily across the bed, fielding calls

and messages from friends and t

distant relatives. Even friends she hadn't heard from in over a decade sent their best wishes.

Nanette, her oldest friend, insisted on a video call, but Isadora put her off-tonight was just for her and Victor.noveldrama

Suddenly, a message popped up from Terrell: "Congratulations."

Victor emerged from the bathroom, a white towel slung low on his hips, droplets of water tracing his chest. He crossed the room and scooped her up into his arms.

"What's got you so absorbed?" he teased.

Isadora set her phone aside, not wanting her jealous husband to see the slew of old friends popping up She nestled closer, inhaling the crisp scent of his skin, and with a

mischievous glint in her eye, pressed a kiss to the sharp angle of his jaw.

“Right now, I'm just looking at you."

Victor's gaze burned into her, his hand threading through her hair, voice like whiskey-deep and rich. "Is that so? Then I hope you're ready to see just how much I love you."

He eased her gently down, their laughter and whispers filling the night.

Everything unfolded naturally-the

joy of new beginnings, the thrill of being each other's person, fully and utterly. In the mirror's reflection, Isadora's cheeks glowed a vibrant rose, her skin radiant with passion and love.

Victor was gentler than she'd ever known, less the stormy sea and more like a quiet stream, where every touch was a promise.

This was happiness-this was what it meant to have your partner become the center of your world.

Words were useless in the face of such overwhelming emotion. So they spoke in the language of touch, exploring, embracing, learning each other anew.