The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 366

When Callum saw Lexi's cheeks puff up in frustration, he couldn't help but pull her into his embrace, whispering in her ear, "You getting jealous? That's adorable."

"Ugh! As if!" Lexi's face flushed as she retorted, "You jerk, let go of me. You can go flirting all you want, so why can't I? Let go, I need a drink, and I'm gonna snag me some hotties!"

But Callum was unmoved by Lexi's protests. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her right out of the bar. "Alright, go ahead and try to catch me. I'm all yours."

"You're shameless and despicable. Let me go!" Lexi's voice faded into the distance as Callum forcibly took her away from the bar scene.

Meanwhile, Magnus never once turned to look at the squabble between Lexi and Callum; he just kept his head down, continuing to drown his sorrows with shots of whiskey, numbing his soul that ached to its core.

*

Hawaii

After months of preparation, the NH International brand, spearheaded by Natalia and Hector, officially launched and took the market by storm. Thanks to its fresh, simple designs that steered clear of clichés, it quickly captivated the high-end market consumers.

With fashion influencers showcasing the brand, this sweet trend swept through the fashion circles like a whirlwind, sparking a buying frenzy that left the stock in short supply.

As NH International rose to prominence, the media shifted their focus to Natalia, the designer behind the brand. After numerous patient negotiations with the fashion magazine, Natalia agreed to an interview to better promote her products. She carved out time for a photo shoot and revealed plans for an upcoming summer fashion contest.

Natalia, dressed in her own designs, showcased her stunning figure so perfectly that it took one's breath away. She looked like a celestial being that had descended to Earth, not bound by worldly sustenance. Her regal aura and confident demeanor instantly attracted legions of fans in Hawaii.

No one could have imagined that such a heavenly and star-like beauty would be the mastermind designer behind NH International. For a time, even the fashion magazine featuring her photographs struggled to meet the demand.

On the magazine's pages, bold headlines declared. [New Fashion Mogul Natalia - Set to Host Summer Fashion Contest Mid-Month.]

With the help of her growing fanbase, Natalia's fame spread like wildfire across the globe even before the contest began.

Hector was over the moon with Natalia's remarkable achievements. He always knew that someone as kind-hearted as her had the talent to succeed. She had worked tirelessly on her designs, burning the midnight oil. But the fruits of her labor were sweet, and the accolades were the best acknowledgment of her dedicated efforts!

Magnus, mid-drink, was startled by the sudden appearance of the book. As he looked down, he saw his wife’s exquisite face on the magazine’s title page. Her beauty, the one he yearned for in his dreams, had tormented him for so long.

After a brief pause, Magnus grabbed the magazine and studied the image of Natalia, who looked confident and dazzling, like a rising star. His hands trembled as he traced the outline of her face in the photograph, whispering softly to himself, “My love…”

It had been over a year since he last saw her, the woman who had consumed his thoughts and driven him to madness. Day in and day out, he wondered about her current life and worried if she was well-fed, well-rested, or if she was being mistreated and was crying quietly.

But now, before him, she was a shining new star, captivating, brilliant, and irreplaceable. This was his wife and the woman he deeply loved. The most important woman in his life.

Magnus slowly pushed himself up to his feet, reminiscent of a fish out of water finally finding its way back to the stream. The feeling of being at death's door was flung far away, as he embraced the rejuvenation of a new beginning.

"Magnus, it's fantastic news. We've finally located Natalia!" James struggled to keep his emotions in check, but his voice still broke with emotion.

And how could it not? Throughout the year, he had been Magnus' shadow, witnessing every ounce of his friend's heart and soul poured into the search for Natalia, only to be met with disappointment after disappointment. He had watched as Magnus' hope turned to despair, and his spirit sunk so low that he teetered on the edge of giving up on himself.