Chapter 331

It had been nearly a year since she left Melfort, and aside from occasional news of Magnus in the local papers or TV, Natalia had no idea how he and their son, Jonas, were faring On nights like these, she wondered if he missed her as much as the missed him The evening had been a little awkward for Natalia with Hector proposing out of the blue. Thankfully, Hector was quick to lighten the mood with a joke, saving her from the embarrassment. She knew she needed to be more careful with her actions to avoid leading him on. After all. Hector was an important part of her life and she didn’t want to hurt him With these thoughts in her mind, the eventually drifted off to sleep Meanwhile, back in Melfort, Magnus was neck deep in work. He kept himself busy to distract him from the pain of Natalia’s sheanna A year had passed, and there was still no sign of Natalia. He and Jonas spent the seasons longing for her He rarely went home preferring the solitude of his office. Every corner of their house was filled with her memories, and the sight of them was too painful to bear “Magnus, take a break. With all these files, aren’t you tired?” James had come to Boston to visit Magnus and report on his search for Natalia de always, there was no news James was concerned seeing Magnus buried in paperwork all the time. He really wanted Magnus to relax a bit Magnus didn’t even look up from his files. “Doesn’t matter I’m used to it. Any news?”

James shook his head “Nothing We’ve searched all over France and England. There’s no sign of Natalia anywhere”

“Keep looking Expand the search area” Magnus voice was steady as if he’d grown numb to the reality of not finding Natalia James sighed quietly, worried about Magnus. A year had passed, and there was still no sign of Natalia How could she have disappeared entirely?

“Why are you still standing there?” Magnus glanced up from his files to see James still standing in the same spot. He urged him to continue search for Natalia James hesitated, then plucked up the courage to voice his fears, “Magnus, we’ve been looking for a year now. We’ve covered over a dozen countries, but there’s still no sign of Natalia. Do you think…?”

“Think what?” Magnus sharp gaze met James‘ eyes “What are you trying to say?”

James took a deep breath “Magnus, do you think something bad might’ve happened to Natalia?”

“No way!” Magnus eyes filled with pain. “She survived a fall from a bridge into the sea six years ago.

She can handle anything!”

Magnus looked out the window at the snowy sunset. He knew Natalia was somewhere out there, watching over him and Jonas. He put i over his chest, waiting for the familiar pain to pass Every time he thought of Natalia, his heart throbbed.

James noticed the paleness of Magnus‘ face “Magnus, are you okay? Should I get a doctor?”

Magnus took a deep breath as the pain in his chest eased, shaking his head. No need I know Natalia’s okay. We just haven’t found her James sighed. “Alright. I understand how desperate you are to find Natalia. But you need to take care of yourself too You’re overworking yourself your body won’t hold up under the strain You haven’t fully recovered from the poisoning ”

Tim fine. I’m used to it. This isn’t going to break me “Magnus turned back to his files.

After a while. Magnus suddenly stood up, staring at a design sketch in his files James was puzzled “Magnus, what’s wrong?”

Magnus waved him over “Come here, look at this design sketch”

James walked over peering at the fashion sketch. There was nothing unusual about it “Magnus it’s just a fashion design what’s about Magnus was excited, pointing to a magnolia flower on the collar of the dress Here James, do you see the magic owe?

James nodded. “Yeah I see it. What about it?”

“Itu Natalia! This sketch must be Natala’s work. I’ve se the designs from this company Theed to see if of the deargna designs she loves while magnolas and votades one i etost altes works, der al a magnoša un them “khagnum waved ho hand directing James to beach, the James felt a surge of hope and rushed put to gather all of the company a seagra.

A diligent secretary quickly pulled together at the fies and placed them on Magnus dem Magnategar (

hopefur as he searched for agns of Natalie a louch Magnus busty flipped through the documents. À cumpany at though the designs, suriway 1) Baby was koking to make a wash a the tabuan powie, and they had the sights set on Andersen Corporation the industry than They brought forth the treat drange proposes to myða har ptica, hapkg to secure an investment from the Andersen Corporation Magnus meticulously reviewed each of the design sketches, his heart pounding &ན་ངོའརི་དང་། �་ལིང �ོ་མའི་ཀོ། ཏ�ྟཾ ས་པར་ད�ོད་ཁང་མིག་�། ནང་པའི་

enthusiasm James take a bok here, here and here. Do you nee it? The magroda motif on at of these sketches, in her siphoture. Theora ne mistake These must be her work James followed Magnus pointing finger, and sure enough, there they were. Whether it was a trendy overcoat or a pair of sleek trousers, a flowing gown, or a crop top, every single design incorporated the white magnolia motif. “You’re right, Magnus. It seems your hunch is right on the money These designs might indeed be the handiwork of Natalia.”