Chapter 27
The Imposter Bride
פ×× 11:48 1 The maid hurriedly lowered her head, âBut Mr. Magnus is not in a wheelchair, and there is no wheelchair when he gets up later.â
Linden knotted his brows, âGet back to your work.â
Once the maid had left, Linden immediately pushed Magnusâ wheelchair gently towards the room.
When he saw the two on the bed, he was taken aback. He quickly set the wheelchair in place and retreated.
After a while, Natalia opened her eyes to see a handsome face in front of her. She was momentarily stunned, recalling the manâs words from the night before, âWeâll have to get used to sharing a roomâ
She felt a rush of heat to her ears and looked up at the manâs sleeping face. Wasnât he always an early riser? Why was he still asleep? She studies his smooth skin, his handsome features and his eyes closed with long, thick lashes God, he was even more attractive than most women.
His lips were thin, and some said men with thin lips were heartless. Was he heartless?
Recalling the times he had forcefully kissed her without her consent, she blushed, gently removed his hand, and attempted to slip away. The large hand on her waist tightened abruptly. âMy dear, youâve been staring at me for quite a while now. What are your thoughts?â
Startled, Natalia pushed against his chest to back away. âI wasnât staring I just wanted to get up.â
With a swift movement, the man pulled her back into his embrace, flipping over to pin her beneath him Natalia let out a surprised yelp. âMagnus, what are you doing?â Why was he on top of her again?
Werenât his legs supposed to be numb?
âSneak a peek and then run away? What do you think I should do, darling? Maybe we should do something more intimate?â His deep, dark gazes bore into hers.
Natalia tensed up, feeling something hot pressing against her lower abdomen. Boom! It felt like her brain had exploded. What was he planning? âI⦠Iâm not your wife. Get off me Iâm not ready yet!â She blushed as red as an apple, pushing against the man atop her.
âNot my wife? Then who are you?â His eyes locked onto hers. Natalia froze, lifting her gaze to meet his.
His handsome face was stern.
âWhat else do you need to prepare for? You re my wife We havenât done what married couples do.â He intentionally pressed his lower body against hers.
Nataliaâs heart pounded against her chest. She was still uncertain about what happened that night.
Was this man really about to sleep with her? If the man from that night wasnât him, then how would she tell him she had been violated?
Summoning up her courage, she locked her eyes with his, âMagnus, even though I married you, sex between a man and a woman should be natural. If you force it when Iâm not ready, I⦠Iâll be traumatized!â
Magnus stared at the woman beneath him. Traumatized? Was she referring to the trauma from that night? He pushed off with his hands and sat up, hopping onto his wheelchair by the bed and sliding out of the bedroom.
Seeing the wheelchair disappear, Natalia quickly got up and ran into the bathroom. Her heart was racing. This man was constantly flirting with her When she didnât reciprocate, he got angry. Hmph!
After getting dressed, Natalia went downstairs to see the man sitting elegantly on the sofa. There was another man there, probably in his forties, wearing a warm smile. Upon seeing her descend the stairs, he immediately stood up, âGood day, maâam. Iâm Linden, the Andersen familyâs loyal butler Mr. Morgan has sent me to fetch you and Mr. Magnus back to the manor for his 80th birthday celebration.â
Natalia nodded, then turned to look at Magnus, who hadnât spared her a glance, his attention on his tablet. Regardless, since the elders had sent someone to fetch them, she couldnât refuse. That would be seen as a lack of manners on the Clarkson familyâs part.
âWhen are we leaving?â She asked Magnus.
He didnât look up from his tablet, âYou go ahead. Weâll join you for dinnerâ He was addressing Linden.
âVery well. Iâll take my leave now.â Linden nodded at Natalia and exited the living room.
Natalia turned her gaze to the man on the sofa, âAre we really going back?â
He set down his tablet and patted the seat next to him, âPack your things. Weâre going to the Andersen Family Estate tonight and will stay there for three days. Bring what you need. I have a change of clothes there, so just pack your own things.â
Natalia sat next to him, deep in thought, âGoing back to celebrate Grandpaâs 80th birthday? I have to go, right?â
âYeah, of course. What are you afraid of? Youâre my wife. Just stay by my sideâ He noticed her evasive gaze and a hint of a smile appeared on his lips âAlright, Iâll go pack Sooner or later, the truth would come out. She didnât expect it to happen so soon.
She knew that once she got to the Andersen familyâs place, theyâd find out she wasnât her sister.
Without having any food, she got up and went upstairs, the manâs piercing gaze on her. He was thinking, âNatalia, Iâm giving you a chance. If you tell me the truth, I can find a way to prevent Grandpa from punishing you.â
But the girl just went upstairs, leaving Magnus staring coldly at the slowly closing elevator doors.
Once upstairs, Natalia stood on the balcony. She gazed at the calm sea. What has to come will come.
There was no escaping it. So just face it headâon. She turned and packed a few clothes and daily necessities.
At five in the afternoon, Magnus wheeled himself into Nataliaâs room, âWhatâs wrong? Youâve been hiding away all day, scared to meet Grandpa.
11:49 1 How long do you plan on hiding? Itâs time to leave, my wife.â
She hadnât been hiding, had she? And was he addicted to calling her wife?
Outside the villa, on the beach, Linden had already prepared the car. Natalia pushed the wheelchair over to the car while the servants put the luggage in Linden helped Magnus into the car, which then slowly left the beach.
Natalia sat in the back seat. The moment the car left the beach, her heart started to race Magnus looked at the tense woman next to him and sighed, âDonât be scared Iâm here with you Just stand by my side, okay?â
Natalia turned around, gazing at him in surprise His gazes were soft yet deep, like a vortex She wasnât sure how much of his feelings towards her were genuine But given the circumstances, she had no choice but to rely on his protection. She looked into his eyes and nodded Magnus reached out and held her hand, sighing as he looked out the window His large hands were dry and warm as he gently rubbed her palm with his fingertips. Nataliaâs ears instantly flushed a deep shade of crimson Magnus toyed with her hand, keeping it in his grip all the way to the Andersen Family Estate Just like their previous visit a line of servants stood outside the grand estate Lindenâs car slowly glided to a halt on the expansive front lawn and a servant immediately approached with a wheelchair Magnus glanced at Nataliaâs tense expression, his grasp on her hand tightening âDonât be scared, my wife,â he comforted, âIâve got this For a fleeting moment. Natalia felt that he had already known that she wasnât Kendra. His gaze was sincere, devoid of any mockery or sarcasm At this moment, a servant opened the car door, eyes filled with respect as he looked at Natalia âMs.
Natalia, Mr. Magnus Please, come inside