The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 263

The maid didn't want to stick around any longer. Upon hearing Addison's words, she quickly nodded and headed back. "Yes, ma'am."

"You're all useless!" Addison glared at the maid's retreating figure, cursing under her breath. "Don't think I don't know. You're all snickering behind my back about Kendra being assaulted by men. You will become men’s plaything, too!"

Having voiced her frustrations, Addison let out a long sigh, as if venting her annoyance. She bent down, intending to pick up Kendra, who was lying on the floor. "Kendra, let's stop this, okay? Mommy will take you shopping for new clothes, and buy you toys, okay?"

Unfortunately, Kendra was now far from the well-dressed girl she used to be. Her eyes were dull, her hair was dry and yellow, and her body was streaked with hideous scars, the ones left by the disgusting men in the underground gambling den she was sold to.

In the underground world, Kendra lived a life worse than hell, enduring endless verbal abuse and horrifying torture every single day. She was treated like a plaything, and those men used every means imaginable to torment her. If it weren't for her hatred for Natalia driving her, Kendra might have broken down long ago.

It wasn't until her mother, Addison, and her father, Kyler, found her that Kendra was able to let down her guard. The moment, her parents saw her in her pitiful state, her spirit completely collapsed. Kendra became somewhat dazed and childlike.

But there was one thing she didn't forget – that was to keep repeating Natalia's name.

Whether she was eating or smashing things, she would only repeat that name, Natalia. This intense hatred occupied her mind, almost becoming her instinct. Just like now, even though Kendra was held in Addison's arms, she kept muttering, "Natalia, I hate you!"

Tears fell from Addison's eyes, and she sobbed, "Kendra, I know, mommy knows you hate her! Don't worry. Even if it takes my life, I'll make Natalia pay! She's just a worthless piece of trash, but you're different, Kendra. You're mommy's precious baby. Be good, alright?"

Kendra, pacified by Addison, suddenly became very excited. She broke free from Addison, trembling in terror. "No, I...I'm not baby, not...not..."

Addison's heart shattered. She realized that she had unintentionally triggered Kendra with the word that had become a taboo. That was because in the underground gambling den, Kendra was constantly humiliated and bullied, and those disgusting guys always shamelessly called her "baby."

"Ah, Kendra, I made a mistake. Come here, let me help you get dressed. Let’s not lie on the ground anymore. It’s cold, and it will make you get sick, my Kendra." Addison was softly calming down Kendra's emotions. Seeing her daughter's fearful eyes, her heart was breaking.

Kendra was still stuck on the word "baby." She curled up, mumbling to herself, "No, no, I'm not baby, I'm not..."

Addison couldn't control her tears anymore. She turned to Kyler, who was standing aside, and scolded him. "It's all your fault! My daughter has been bullied like this, and you can't do anything. Are you even a father? Worthless!"

Kyler was hit, but it was his heart that hurt the most. He was deep in self-blame. If he had known that adopting Natalia would lead to this situation, he would never have brought Natalia back from England.