Chapter 57

Now, there was nothing she could offer him. She gently moved his hand from her shoulder and smiled.

“Hector, yes, I’m back. I’m sorry” She was sorry for leaving unannounced, and for not being able to give him any hope.

“Never mind the apologies, you being back is enough, Hector said, gripping her small hand. “You know, Natalia, I was almost on my way to the States. I was here to wrap things up. But then you came back.

God really does have a plan, and you’re back in my life. Natalia…”

Pulling her into his embrace, he held her with every ounce of strength he had. 1 missed you so much, it felt like my heart was breaking!”

Natalia stiffened, struggling to push Hector away. “Hector, listen to me these past few months “It doesn’t matter” He interrupted her. “No matter where you’ve been, all that matters is that you’re back. You’re the one I want to protect for the rest of my life I won’t lose you again”

He held her tightly, not giving her a chance to fight back. Eventually, Natalia gave up struggling and shouted into his ear. “Hector, let go of me. Listen to me, I’m married!”

His arm, which was still holding her jerked. A few seconds later, he slowly loosened his grip. Hector let her go, and his eyes were filled with unbearable pain. He had already suspected something, but he refused to believe it was true “What did you say? Natalia, don’t lie to me. You’re only twenty and still in college, how could you be married?” He laughed, almost on the verge of tears. “It’s true. Hector I’m married. I took my sister’s place and married Magnus I’m sorry, Hector, Promise me you’ll live well. You’re young and wonderful, and there will be other girls for you I don’t deserve you.” She watched his despairing eyes, and her heart began aching. She knew she was hurting him, but it was better to end it now than to drag it out Hector stared at her incredulously, his hands trembling. “What did you say? Natalia, you married Magnus? No, it can’t be How could it be?”

Turned out. Lillian was Hector’s aunt, which made Magnus his cousin. He knew Magnus and Lucius had been fighting over control of the Andersen Corporation He knew the Andersens were planning to unite their family with the Clarksons through marriage, but that was supposed to be between Kendra and Lucius, not Natalia and Magnus!

Natalia, this can’t be true. How could you marry Magnus, the man who’s been stuck on Sapphire Island for nine years? Natalia, are you joking?” He knew the truth, but he refused to believe it.

Natalia gripped his arm tightly “Hector, calm down. It’s true. I did it for my father. I replaced my sister and married into the Andersen family. I am now Magnus wife. I’m sorry, Hector Forget about me.”

“How can I forget about you, Natalia? Why did you marry Magnus? Why didn’t you tell me? You were my girlfriend, why didn’t you come to me? If I had known, I would never have let you do this “Hector was in shock. His eyes were bloodshot. The pain was unbearable.

Natalia had never seen Hector like this before desperate, in pain, and full of regret She stared at him, her heart in agony. “Hector, I’m sorry. I just want to make things clear today Don’t wait for me anymore.

Go to America and forget about all this.”

With that, she opened the car door and ran. She didn’t dare to stay any longer. She was afraid to see the despair on his face. She ran to the roadside and hailed a taxi, leaving the seaside. By the time Hector caught up, the car was already gone.

Back at school Natalia didn’t attend her first class Sabrina saw her return and immediately walked over.

“Natalia, how did it go with Hector?” Natalia nodded and took a seat, and then the second class began.

For the entire morning, Natalia’s mind was in a fog, not taking in anything that was said in the afternoon, after class, Natalia spoke with Sabrina on the sports field. “I hope Hector leaves for America soon. It might be better for everyone! don’t want to see him like this.”

Sabrina sighed “Actually, Nat, my grandfather hasn’t been doing well. My father said he’s been to the hospital. His condition is from his time in the military, and its not getting better. He wants to see me married to his war buddy’s grandson before he passes. My father says I should finish this term and then go to France for school.” Sabrina stared at the clouds in the sky, lost in thought “No one in my family can defy my grandfathers words. They re as good as the law. I’ll be leaving for France in a month”

Natalia looked at her melancholy expression, “What is the surname of your grandfather’s comrade’s family? Why do you need to go to France? Don’t they live in Melfort?

They do live in Melfort, but the older grandson of my grandfather lives in France, and he has a little grandson in Melfort My grandfather wants me to marry his older grandson. So, I have to go to France As Sabrina spoke, she felt uneasy in her heart. She knew from birth that she could not make decisions about her own marriage Natalia held her hand “Sabrina, let’s cherish the time we have left together. Even if we’re apart, we’ll see each other again someday “Okay” The two girls hugged each other tightly After school, Natalia bid Sabrina and Lexi goodbye and headed back to Maplewood Manor Just as she reached the edge of the sidewalk, she spotted Hector striding towards her With a determined look on his face, he reached her and said, “Natalia, we need to talk Without waiting for her response, he grabbed her hand and started guiding her toward his car Natalia pulled her hand back with a firm tug “Hector, I ve made myself clear This isn’t right. I need to go home “You need to stop fooling yourself Kendra is Magnus‘ wife I’ve checked with the City Hall There’s no marriage record between you and Magnus” Hector blocked her path, his voice filled with frustration “Hector, regardless of what you’ve discovered, I’m already a part of the Andersen family For my father’s sake, I can’t leave them” She feared the storm that would ensue if Magnus found out about this Natalia turned around and started to walk away She had no choice Unless Magnus was willing to let her go, she was trapped in the mansion.

She had only taken a few steps when Hector grabbed her delicate wrist from behind “Natalia, you must have been forced into this. Don’t worry, I will talk to Magnus. I’ll convince him to let you go. Come on, let’s go confront him together!