The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 374

Natalia's face was as pale as a ghost, but to get rid of Magnus, she steeled herself and, playing along with Hector, said, "Yes, Mr. Anderson, it's getting quite late. You should head home. I've long since ended things with you. Now, I'm engaged to Hector, and soon, we'll have our wedding bells ringing."

"No! That can't be!" Magnus staggered back, nearly falling if not for the steadying hand of James.

James was known for his hot temper. Supporting a swaying Magnus, he pointed an accusing finger at Natalia, his voice raised in anger. "Natalia, how could you do this? Do you have any idea how much Magnus has been through this past year trying to find you? How can you just replace him like that?"

Natalia hung her head silently, quickly hiding the tears welling up in her eyes.

Magnus shook his head at James. His breath was unsteady from the pain in his heart. "Don't, don't speak to my wife like that, I won't allow it."

"But Magnus, they…" James tried to protest, but Magnus cut him off, "James, this is a private matter between the three of us. Stay out of it."

Since Magnus had put it that way, James backed off. After all, it was their tangled mess to sort out.

Magnus stopped James' interrogation, and his gaze was now burning into Natalia. His voice was filled with deep emotion. "Nat, whether you admit it or not, you're my wife for life. We parted over a misunderstanding, but now that I've found you, I won't let you slip away again."

Natalia's eyes brimmed with tears at Magnus' fervent words, but she couldn't just go back with him. Not just because of the harsh vow she had once been forced to make, but also for Hector's selfless devotion over the years. She couldn't just abandon Hector after accepting his proposal. She couldn't be that selfish.

So, Natalia coldly rebuffed him, "There's been no misunderstanding. The past is in the past. Mr. Anderson, we're adults capable of owning our actions. Since we've parted ways, please stop pursuing this any further."

Magnus reeled as if he'd been struck, unable to believe that Natalia saw his relentless search as mere pestering.

"Nat, do you really see me as a nuisance now?" Magnus' voice was a raspy whisper, heavy with loss and heartache. "But my wife, I can't let you go, not in this lifetime. Don't even think about marrying someone else."

Magnus' impassioned plea sent Natalia into an endless ache, which spread through her heart. With misty eyes, she looked at Magnus and shook her head gently. "Mr. Anderson, there's no going back. It's late, I'm tired, and I need to rest. Goodbye."

With that, Natalia gathered all her strength to steady her emotions and walked toward her room.

Magnus moved to follow her but was blocked by Hector. "Magnus, it's late, and we're all turning in. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for you to come any further?" Hector deliberately left his words ambiguous, hoping to mislead Magnus into giving up.

Magnus took the bait. Agitated, he grabbed Hector's bathrobe and said icily, "Hector, I warn you, if you dare lay a finger on her, I'll make you regret ever being born!"

James nodded, understanding Magnus was planning to play the family card. It made sense. A mother's bond with her child was unbreakable, and James couldn't imagine Natalia resisting coming back to Magnus once Jonas was mentioned.

"Alright, I'm on it," James said as he started to walk away, then paused, turning back to ask Magnus, "And what about you?"

"I'll hold down the fort here. It was tough enough to track her down; I don't want her slipping away the moment we turn our backs," Magnus said with a wave of his hand toward James. "Go on, I'm sure Jonas is dying to be reunited with his mom."

James hustled away, his figure soon swallowed by the street corner, leaving Magnus alone with a bittersweet chuckle. His heart felt heavy with a sense of desolation. He didn't know when it happened, but he had become an afterthought in his wife's mind. The last time he had persuaded her to come back, he had used his son as a bargaining chip. And now, he was preparing to play that card again. It was so sad.

But right now, the means weren't his concern. He was willing to employ any tactic necessary if it would bring his wife back home.

That night was marked by sorrow for everyone involved, whether it was Natalia and Hector upstairs or Magnus standing alone under the street lamp's glow. Sleep was elusive and marred by pain.

The stars twinkled chaotically in the sky, mirroring their tangled, troubled emotions—a maze of confusion and despair.

Torn by her own conflict, Natalia barely slept a wink until the first light of dawn brought a drowsy awareness back to her.