Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus) novel Chapter 8

Scales scratched the back of his head, looking bemused.

“No way. Isadora’s still giving you the silent treatment? It’s been, what, three days now? That’s gotta be a new record! She’s never stayed mad for more than a day before.”

He leaned in, lowering his voice with a knowing grin. “But honestly, Magnus, women are all like that. Don’t spoil her too much. She’s just testing you, waiting for you to cave first. You know what they say—let a guy give in once, and he’ll be doing it a thousand times after. Don’t fall for it.”

“Come on, no matter how badly you screwed up before, she always came running back, apologized, begged you not to leave her.”

“And with her awkward position in the Vaughan family, if she ever really left you, they’d probably toss her out for good.”

At that, Magnus’s expression softened just a bit. He picked up his glass and took a slow sip, letting the rich flavor settle on his tongue.

Maybe this time Isadora had gone further than usual—she’d even come up with that wild kidnapping stunt. It left him with a faint, unfamiliar sense of unease.

Off to the side, Sammy—already halfway through his drink—couldn’t help but chime in.

“Anyone would be moved by how much Isadora loves you, Magnus.”

He counted off on his fingers. “When you had those awful migraines, she spent a whole day and night at a church in the northwest, begging a miracle-working priest to help ease your pain.”

“When you got picky about food, she learned to cook every cuisine under the sun just to tempt your appetite.”

“Your mother never liked her, insulted her more times than I can count. Isadora just took it, never talked back.”

“And it wasn’t until Elise kept interfering, stirring up trouble, that Isadora finally snapped. That’s the only reason she’s acting out now—but in the end, it’s always because she loves you. She just can’t help forgiving you.”

Sammy set his glass down, his tone turning serious. “Don’t listen to Scales. You really did go too far this time. Sure, the wedding was fake, but you made Isadora the laughingstock of the entire city.”

“And Elise—she’s been having her ‘episodes’ way too often this year. On your anniversary, your birthday, Isadora’s birthday, even during Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July, she’s always sick. And every single time, you’re by her side, playing nurse. Any woman would have a hard time with that.”

“Even if Isadora loves you, everyone has their limits. Don’t wait until she’s gone to realize what you lost.”

Magnus gave a cold, dismissive smile. “As if I’d ever regret losing a woman.”