The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 224

The photographs fluttered down like colorful snowflakes, dancing in the air before cascading to the ground.

Facing Natalia's reproach, Magnus responded not with anger, but with laughter. His eyes shone with profound affection. "My dear," he began. "You must know how much I love you. How completely I am devoted to you. I want to know and feel everything about you. I haven't been spying on you, but I’ve been appreciating you openly. You just never realized it."

He took her hand and looked into her angry eyes, now moist with unshed tears. "My dear..."

However, Natalia remained unmoved by Magnus' explanation. His repeated deceit and manipulation infuriated her. Her fading anger flared back to life. She glared at Magnus, and now her voice was thick with ire. "Magnus, get out of my life! I've had enough of your games. I have nothing left for you to hurt, so please, for my sake and yours, leave me alone!"

Seeing Natalia's pain-stricken face, Magnus felt his heart shatter. He approached her slowly, undeterred by her attempts to retreat. "My dear," he said softly, "how can you ask me to let you go? Don't you understand that you've stolen my heart? Since you were lost at sea five years ago, I've spent every day, every minute, every second, in endless longing for you. I could only find solace in your photographs, using alcohol to numb the pain. Without you, everything feels so cold and lonely. How many more five years do I have to wait?"

"No, it's over. It ended the moment I was lost at sea. Can't we just be strangers who once knew each other too well? Isn't that enough?"

Natalia knew there was no going back. Nothing could return to how it was five years ago unless their child could be brought back to life. However, Magnus never intended to inform her about the baby yet. It was his last card to play, and he couldn't reveal it yet.

As Magnus closed in on her, Natalia was forced to retreat further until her back hit the cold wall.

His gaze was soft and tender, as he backed Natalia into a corner. His voice was husky with emotion. "My dear, what are we to do? I can't let you go, and I can't become a stranger to you. You're my wife, now and forever. Let's put our past misunderstandings behind us and start anew, okay?"

For a moment, Natalia found herself almost lost in Magnus' intense, affectionate gaze, but she quickly snapped out of it. No, she couldn't entertain any illusions about Magnus. Hadn't the heart-wrenching past taught her anything? She couldn't afford to make the same mistake again after a brush with death.

Magnus noticed the hesitation in Natalia's eyes. Leaning against the wall, he moved closer to Natalia, reaching out to caress her face. He whispered into her ear, his breath warm against her skin. "My dear, these past five years without you have been like an eternal darkness. Isn't that punishment enough? Can you bear to watch me suffer and die?"

His minty, fresh breath lingered in Natalia's nostrils, causing her cheeks to flush with heat. Natalia pinched herself, mentally scolding her weakness. She couldn't let Magnus bewitch her again. She couldn't let herself experience that heart-wrenching pain again.

Seeing Natalia's flushed face, Magnus felt a sweetness spread through his heart. He knew her every sensitive spot; this shy woman was his sweet poison.

His desire for Natalia was becoming unbearable, so he leaned down without a second thought and accurately captured her lips. The kiss was passionate and intense, leaving no room for rejection.