Chapter 322
The Imposter Bride
With a subconscious shake of her head, Lexi gave a reluctant nod at Natalia, her best friend, standing in front of her. âYes, Natalia,â she smiled wryly. âI know I canât hide from you. Do you think Iâm a masochist? He hurt me, but why do I still have some affection for him?â
âLexi, did Cal really hurt you? Apart from the time he took advantage of you when he was drunk, did he hurt you in any other way?â
Lexi thought for a moment and shook her head âNo, heâs always been a gentleman, except for restricting my freedom and not letting me go out, heâs always been quite respectful of me.â
âThere you go, Lexi. Everyone makes mistakes Iâm not involved, so I donât know whatâs going on between you and Cal. But I can see the love in both your eyes when you look at each other Trust me, Lexi When you canât see your own heart, donât run away, and donât be confused. Be brave and face it.
Listen to your heart, and tell yourself what you really want. Natalia said, holding Lexiâs hand. âWhatever decision you make, donât betray your own heart. As your best friend, I sincerely wish you happiness foreverâ
Lexi looked even more confused at Nataliaâs words. She hesitated for a while before saying, âNatalia, are you sure what you saw in Callumâs eyes was affection for me, not the way one looks at a pet?â
Natalia couldnât help but laugh âLexi, do you think I, as your best friend for many years, would lie to you about this? Youâre a beautiful woman. How could you be a pet? And during the five years I lost my memory. I lived in Calâs castle and never saw him so humble in front of anyone â
âReally?â Lexi was still skeptical. She always felt she was just a standâin for Callum to forget Natalia.
âItâs true.â Natalia assured âLexi, do you have any other doubts? Is it about me?â
Lexi didnât expect Natalia to see through her dilemma. She felt a bit embarrassed but thought there was no point in hiding it from Natalia, so she admitted, âYes, Natalia, Iâm afraid of being your substitute I donât want to be anyoneâs substitute. I am me, not a replacement for anyone âLexi, how could you possibly be a substitute?â Natalia looked at Lexi with a pleasant expression. âCal has never been good at lying. He is always straightforward. He likes what he likes, and dislikes what he dislikes. His feelings for me are just a promise from childhood. For many years, I have been blaming myself for causing trouble for Cal and have been hoping that he can find his own happiness. And today, when I saw the look in Calâs eyes, Lexi, I knew, his happiness had arrived, and that person is you. Only you can make his eyes light up Lexi was flustered by Nataliaâs words. She sighed deeply, âNatalia, I need time to think about my relationship with Callum. Right now, I donât want to think about anything, I just want to go home and see my parents. They would be heartbroken if they knew what Iâve been through!â
Natalia looked at Lexis slightly bulging belly, not sure whether to persuade her to give up this idea.
Probably no parents would want their daughter to go abroad and come back pregnant, right?
Lexi followed Nataliaâs gaze, understood her hesitation, and also felt troubled. âBut, in my current state, how can I bravely go home to face my parents?â
âIâll go with you!â Callum opened the door a crack and poked his head in. Apparently, he had not left, but had been eavesdropping outside the door on Natalia and Lexiâs conversation.
âCal, how could you eavesdrop on our conversation?â Natalia also thought Callumâs eavesdropping was somewhat disgraceful and couldnât help but question him Callum simply walked in, with a clear and upright expression. âI didnât eavesdrop, you were talking too loud, and I passively heard it. Besides, I was afraid Lexi would sneak away with our baby again. Kill me for being the bad guy!â
Lexi felt her face burning, knowing that her reluctant words about Callum had all been overheard. She looked at Callum, both shy and embarrassed. âIâm talking to Natalia, please leave!â
Callum didnât back down, but took two steps towards Lexi, staring at her with a burning gaze. âNo, I wonât leave Life is so short, and when you fall in love, you fall in love. Why hesitate and be indecisive?â
Lexi blushed under his gaze, lowering her head and avoiding eye contact with Callum. She thought Callum would take the hint and leave, but she was wrong. The always rebellious Callum was not one to back down!
âLexi, I admit that I initially hurt you by treating you as Buttercup, but then I was completely attracted by you. Your every word and action, like a magnet, fatally attracted me. These past few days after you sneaked away. I couldnât eat or sleep well, fearing that something might happen to you I think thereâs something I need to let you know Youâre a thief, who has unknowingly stolen my heart!â
Callumâs words made Lexiâs face even redder. She wished there was a crack in the floor for her to hide in, but Callum was still bombarding her with his love words âLexi, Iâve finally figured out my feelings for Buttercup. All along. Iâve considered her an irreplaceable part of my childhood, wanting to keep her by my side. But Iâve ignored the fact that this feeling is not love I know Iâve made an unforgivable mistake towards you before Now I sincerely ask you to give me a chance to make up for it. I let time prove that I really fell for you and not treat you as a substitute for anyone. Please, give me a chance, okay?â Callum suddenly knelt on one knee, waiting for Lexis response âYou get up first,â Lexi stuttered, her mind spinning in circles.
Callum stubbornly shook his head. âNo, Lexi, I wonât stand until you grant my request. Will you let me?
Iâd be more than happy to accompany you back home to meet your folks Theyâve got a wealth of experience, and they could give their opinion on whether my feelings for you are genuine. what do you say?â