Chapter 30
The Imposter Bride
A sudden lump formed in her throat, threatening to spill over into tears. Finally, she stepped forward, facing Morgan honestly, âGrandpa, Iâm sorry Iâm not Kendra Iâm Natalia, Kylerâs youngest daughter. My sister didnât want to marry Magnus, so they sent me to Sapphire Island instead. I didnât mean to deceive you, Grandpa.â
Upon hearing her confession. Morgan slowly put down the documents he was holding and turned to look at Natalia, stunned. âIs all youâve said true?â He had intended to lure Natalia with shares of the family business. If she had willingly replaced Kendra for the sake of money, she would have no place in the Andersen family But she didnât want the shares. She had confessed her true identity, admitting she was an imposter Morgan finally nodded in acknowledgement Smart girl, he thought Having confessed the truth, Natalia finally let out a sigh of relief. She had been living with this lie for over a month, dreading the day it would be exposed. Seeing the mocking smiles on Lucius and Lillianâs faces earlier, she knew that day had arrived. She decided to tell Morgan the truth, believing him to be a reasonable man Even if she was a substitute, he wouldnât kill her. At worst, heâd send her home âGrandpa, every word Iâve said is true. I wouldnât dare to lie But Magnus doesnât know that Iâm Natalia Would he strangle her if he found out?
Morgan looked at the girl. He wanted to say that perhaps this girl was more suited for Magnus than Kendra ever could be But Kylerâs second daughter was illegitimate. Such a girl was not fit for his beloved grandson.
He slammed his hand down on the table. âNonsense! You think this is a game, marrying in your sisterâs place?â
The cup on the desk rattled and fell to the floor with a loud clatter Natalia clenched her hands tightly, closing her eyes. âIâm sorry.â She hadnât expected Morgan to be so angry. Just as it seemed like his anger was about to explode, there was a knock on the study door She quickly turned to open the door and saw Magnus in his wheelchair, looking anxious. Without sparing Natalia a glance, he wheeled himself directly into the study, âGrandpa, whatâs wrong? Did Kendra upset you? Sheâs young and naive Donât hold it against herâ
Morgan looked at his grandson, defending the girl His heart ached even more. Magnus still didnât know that this girl wasnât the Clarksonâs daughter. How much would it hurt him if he knew? He could tell Magnus was already fond of her But, no! He would not allow the Clarksons to deceive them like this. Looking at his grandson seated in the wheelchair, he waved his hand dismissively. Enough, both of you may leave â
Magnus looked at the fuming Morgan and smiled, âGrandpa, donât be angry. Youâre almost eighty, and you should be enjoying your life. What could possibly make you so angry?â
After saying this, he took Nataliaâs hand and led her out of the study, heading straight to their bedroom on the third floor. Once the door was closed, Magnus turned to look at the girl, who was obviously frightened. âWhat did Grandpa say to you?â
Natalia looked into his icy eyes and shook her head, âGrandpa wanted me to sign a share ownership agreement, but I didnât.â
âThatâs all?â The icy gaze bore into her as if trying to see through her, âYou have one minute to tell me the truth.â He wheeled himself over to her, lifting her chin up.
âWhat else are you hiding? Iâm waiting for you to come clean.â His voice was low and husky, like a suppressed growl.
â1. I told Grandpa that Iâm not Kendra.â As she finished, tears began to roll down her cheeks. She had been so careful to hide her feelings for so long, she no longer wanted to keep up the pretense. At this moment, a sense of relief washed over her Come what may, she was ready. She closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable, only to feel the man gently release her chin and pull her into his embrace.
Looking up into his eyes, she felt a moment of disorientation. He lifted her onto his lap, just as he had done before. He whispered in her ear in a low voice, âDonât be afraid. As long as youâre my wife, thatâs all that matters. It doesnât matter who you are, you can only be my wife.â
Stunned, Natalia looked at him, choking on her words, âDid you know all along that I wasnât Kendra?
Did you deliberately not expose me?â
âHm âHe responded nonchalantly, looking out the window.
He held her as he wheeled over to turn on the bedside lamp. Natalia felt like she was dreaming, seeing his tender side again. He hadnât exploded in anger, or strangled her.
He put her on the bed, his dark eyes watching her quietly, âNo matter what happens, just remember that you are my wife Can you do that?â
Can she? She was not his wife, his wife was Kendra. But in his inscrutable dark eyes, she found herself nodding.
âGo take a bath and sleep. Donât leave me from now on. Once Grandpaâs birthday is over, weâll return to the island.â He straightened up and moved away from the bed, heading towards the door.
As he opened the door and left, Natalia sat up. He knew. He had known all along and yet he hadnât strangled her But Morgan wouldnât let the Clarksons off easily.
Her Dad!
She wanted to go plead with Morgan not to blame her father, but then she remembered Magnusâ
words, âNo matter what happens, just remember youâre my wife.â She slumped back onto the bed.
In the room below, Morgan looked at the man in the wheelchair, his most cherished grandson, who had been deceived like this. How could he swallow this bitter pill? âGet that girl off Sapphire Island immediately. Iâll deal with the Clarksons. If they have nothing to say for themselves, Iâll wipe their entire family off the face of Melfort.â Morgan paced around the room angrily.
pter 30 âGrandpa, I canât chase her away. Sheâs already my wife. Where would you have me send her away? It doesnât matter who she is, sheâs Mrs. Magnus now. Iâm sorry, Grandpa Magnus looked up at the elderly man with gray hair âBut sheâs Kylerâs bastard child, with a mother whose identity remains a mystery. Itâs possible that Kyler had her with some lowborn woman. How can someone of such a status marry into the Andersen family?â He pointed towards the door, his voice laced with fury.
Magnus gripped the handles of his wheelchair tightly, pleadingly looking at Morgan âNo, grandpa, let me handle this Please, donât interfere.â
Morgan stared at his stubborn grandson, disappointment evident in his eyes. âItâs only been a few days, and youâre already attached to her Magnus, she seems like a good girl, but sheâs not for you. I have to deal with the Clarksonsâ
âWe do need to settle the score with the Clarksons, but Iâll handle this girl Whether sheâs suitable for me or not, Iâm the only one who knows Grandpa you donât want to see me lose even the right to choose my own woman in this life, do you?â Magnus suddenly stared at Morgan quietly âYouâ¦â For a moment, Morgan felt his grandson was no longer the obedient child he used to be He had changed Maybe, unbeknownst to him, Magnus had grown stronger.
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