The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

Chapter 471

Natalia couldn't believe her ears and leaped from the couch with her phone in hand, pacing toward the door. “No way, are you pulling my leg?”

“Why would | joke about this? Open the door and see for yourself.”

Lexi’s voice rang clear from the porch, and as Natalia swung the front door open, she was greeted by Lexi’s radiant smile, blooming like a vibrant rose.

“My dear Natalia, I've missed you to bits. You heartless thing, you never once thought to come to see me,” Lexi chided, throwing herself into Natalia’s arms for a tight embrace.

Natalia was nearly breathless from Lexi's enthusiastic hug. She managed to hug her back, then craned her neck to peer around her, “Where's Cal? Why didn’t he come? How come it’s just you? And the kids?”

Lexi, arm in arm with Natalia, strolled back inside. “Isn't it better they didn’t come? | get to enjoy some single lady freedom.”

What Lexi left unsaid was that it was Magnus who had called her. Magnus had reached out to Lexi, explaining that Natalia had been taking the disappearance of her child hard and hoped Lexi could spare a couple of days to fly over and provide some comfort.

On receiving Magnus’ SOS, Lexi had not hesitated, promptly booking a flight to Hawaii. She had always been suspicious of Gabby, with her unsettling gaze and less-than-trustworthy vibe. Lexi had even warned Natalia to be cautious, but to no avail; Gabby had still managed to pull a fast one on them.

Over the past two years, Lexi had even enlisted the help of Callum to search for Natalia's missing daughter, but to no avail. It was only yesterday that Magnus shared the jaw-dropping news: Gabby was actually Lucius’ pawn all along.

As for Lucius, that conniving weasel, Lexi would have loved to give him a piece of her mind, but from what Magnus said, Lucius was likely to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Served him right! What goes around comes around! It’s not a question of if, but when. And when the time came, karma would strike!

Lexi’s visit was especially for Natalia’s sake. To avoid stirring up painful memories, she left her children back home under Callum’s care. Natalia had lost her daughter, so Lexi thought it best not to bring her kids along and risk upsetting her friend.

Now, sitting on the couch, Lexi squeezed Natalia’s hand gently, her voice full of concern. “Natalia, look at what’s become of you. You're practically skin and bones. If you can’t take care of yourself, how are you going to have the strength to find Anna?”

At Lexi’s words, Natalia’s eyes brimmed with tears. She glanced down at her frail, bony hands, her voice laden with yearning for Anna. “Lexi... |... | just miss my daughter so much. | didn’t even get to hold her before she disappeared. Whenever | close my eyes, | see her accusing me, asking why | haven't brought her home yet.”

The tears Natalia had been holding back began to flow as she wept silently, shaking with emotion.

As a mother herself, Lexi could deeply empathize with Natalia’s pain and sorrow at losing a child. She moved closer, wrapping an arm around Natalia and gently patting her back. “Let it out, Natalia. Cry if you need to. Don’t keep it bottled up inside. It’s too hard that way.”

Unable to restrain the longing in her heart for Anna, Natalia broke into heart-wrenching sobs. For over a year since her daughter's disappearance, she had been slowly recovering from her grief. But when Magnus showed her those photos of Anna, all the guilt and remorse she felt for her daughter came flooding back.

They had searched in vain, country after country, not knowing that her daughter was living with Gabby and Lucius in Dubai. Now, with Lucius locked up on murder charges, and Gabby having vanished with her daughter once again, Natalia was overwhelmed with heartache.

Sitting patiently by Natalia's side, Lexi listened to her friend's cries, her heart aching in sympathy. Natalia had always been so kind-hearted and gentle, yet fate seemed to cruelly shatter her happiness time and again.

Eventually, Natalia cried herself out, releasing the pent-up sorrow that had weighed on her heart.

Seeing Natalia with her swollen, red eyes, Lexi knew her friend had found some solace. In a soft voice, Lexi encouraged, “Now that we have Anna’s photo, I’m sure we'll find her soon. You need to stay strong. When Anna comes back, she should see a radiant mom, not someone who's down and out. Okay?”

Natalia nodded, understanding Lexi was right. When Anna returned, she wanted to show her the best version of herself, full of motherly love.

“Enough with the long face, I’ve managed to escape the chaos of my home and those two little rascals just to be here with you. Aren't you going to play host and show me around? Let’s have some fun!” Lexi’s words were light, trying to lift Natalia’s spirits.

Grateful for Lexi’s thoughtfulness, Natalia rose from the couch. “Alright, let’s take a walk by the ocean.”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Whenever she felt cooped up at home, Natalia would find solace by the sea, letting the ocean breeze clear her mind.

Together, Lexi and Natalia strolled along the beach. Their bare feet sank into the soft sand, as they shared intimate conversations that eased their spirits, reminiscent of their carefree college days.

After spending a few days with Natalia in Hawaii, Lexi was summoned back home by Callum’s incessant calls.

Finding herself alone again, Natalia felt the weight of solitude. She would stand on the balcony, gazing out at the sea, her heart heavy.

As the evening sky blazed with the glow of the setting sun, Magnus stepped into the room with a pla

of fresh fruit i qd. cutignus foticed Nawalia’S shttits were as deflated as a punctured balloon as she leaned against the balcony railing. He set down his plate of apple slices and cheese. Slipping up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist. Please read the original content at NovelDrama.Org.

"What's up? You seem down in the dumps," Magnus murmured, resting his chin on Natalia's shoulder, his voice a soft melody in her ear.

Natalia held her breath for a moment, soaking in the comforting scent of Magnus that surroun el

dyhren BarldS Over his where they rested at her side, her voice tinted with a wisp of sadness. "Magnus, | can't help it. | miss her, what should we do?" Please read the original content at NovelDrama.Org.

Magnus fell silent, his voice lost in the sea of his thoughts for a moment. Just days ago, he hag intention lyinyiteshtheir Friend Lexi oval, Fd ing she could spend some time with Natalia and lift her spirits. But as luck would have it, after only a couple of days, Lexi had to rush back home at the behest of her husband, Callum. Please read the original content at NovelDrama.Org.

Magnus nuzzled his face into the nape of Natalia's neck, taking a deep breath as if to draw strength from the closeness. Finally, he lifted his gaze, and his voice carried a tender proposal. "Darling, why don't we go and visit Jonas?"