Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

"I do."

With a radiant smile, Isadora's eyes shone with unshed tears. Her voice trembled ever so slightly as she uttered those three words.

How could she ever say no?

After all, she was being granted the most precious wish of her life.

Victor's heart thundered in his chest at her answer.

He rose slowly, emotion swirling deep in his gaze. For a fleeting moment, his eyes glistened with tears-the sheer force of his joy and excitement impossible to hide. Their eyes met and locked.

In that silent exchange, they both understood: from this moment on, they would walk through life hand in hand.

The guests erupted in a roar of applause and cheers as the bride accepted, the atmosphere almost boiling over with excitement.

Nanette threw herself into Finley's arms, burying her face in his chest.

God, this was just too damn moving!

Victor opened the velvet box and drew out a sapphire engagement ring. His

knuckles whitened as he held the dazzling jewel between his fingers.

He gently took Isadora's slender hand in his, ready to slide the sapphire ring onto her finger.

As if, in that instant, he was binding her to his side forever.

She was already carrying their child.

Now, she would truly become his wife.

For all the years ahead, she would be at his side-always.

Then, without warning-

A loud thud echoed through the room.

Pudding, who had been sitting nearby, suddenly collapsed, frothing at the mouth. His eyes rolled back wildly, his body limp as he fell to the floor, convulsing uncontrollably.

Low, desperate howls ripped from his throat.

Even the humans watching could feel the animal's agony in those wails.

In a matter of seconds, Pudding's writhing stilled; he lay motionless on the cold, hard floor.

"Pudding!"

Isadora's mind went blank, her wide eyes unblinking with shock. She dropped to her knees, gathering Pudding into her arms.

The sapphire ring was halfway onto her finger, poised between her knuckle and the base, but as she pulled her hand away-

With a metallic clatter, the ring slipped and fell, rolling across the icy floor.

Out in the hospital hallway, a suffocating tension weighed on everyone.

The harsh fluorescent lights and sharp scent of antiseptic filled the air.

Isadora paced back and forth, her expression vacant and lost.

Victor stood nearby, jaw tight, a shadow clouding his usually handsome features.

He stepped forward and gently took her hand. "Isadora, the doctors are examining him. Please, just sit down for a moment."

Isadora's face was drained of color. Her mind kept replaying the image of Pudding's body convulsing, foam spilling from his mouth.

She knew Pudding was old.

She'd always known that in a few years, he might have to leave them.

But not like this. Not so suddenly, not in such agony, right in front of her eyes.

Tears had swollen her eyes red. She murmured over and over, "What do we do? What do we do? Why did Pudding suddenly-?"

Victor pulled her into a tight embrace, his voice rough with emotion. "Isadora, calm down!"

She pushed him away, her voice rising uncontrollably.

"Did you see how much pain he was in just now? Did you see? He was just holding the ring for us! He was our witness, part of our story how could he just drop dead like he was poisoned?"

Isadora's words tumbled out, wild and desperate.

Victor's eyes were bloodshot, his own pain barely contained. "I saw it all."

Just then-

Finley returned from the exam room with a couple of vets in tow.

Nanette rushed to them, her nerves stretched thin. "How is he? Is Pudding going to be alright?"

Finley looked at Victor, his gaze heavy, and shook his head.

He was hurting too.

He'd watched this dog grow up since it was a puppy.

He'd been the one to treat Pudding the first time it ever got sick.noveldrama

Now, Pudding was lying there, and there was nothing he could do.

Finley's voice was hoarse. "He was poisoned. He's gone."

Isadora went rigid at the words.

She lunged forward, frantic. "No, I don't believe it-he's just sleeping you're all joking, I want to see him, he's waiting for me to wake up="

Jine

Victor saw her teetering on the edge of a breakdown.

He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, holding her close.

Isadora struggled in his arms, but she was weak, helpless. "Let me go, Victor! Please, just let me go!"

Victor masked his own agony, his voice raw. "Isadora, he's gone."

།

"No," she pleaded, "you're all lying. Pudding was just holding the ring for us, he can't be gone. Just let me see him just once, just one more

time-"

Nanette, watching Isadora's grief, could barely hold back her own tears. Her voice

broke. "Isadora, Pudding's gone."