The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 364

As she looked into Hector's eyes, eyes that never harbored the slightest hint of reproach no matter what she did, Natalia felt a moistness threatening the corners of her own. She knew Hector had been silently there for her, just waiting... but...

“Alright, it's getting late, and you've had a long day on your feet,” Hector said, his voice determined to chase away the guilt in Natalia's gaze as he steered her away from the office.

They lived close to the office, so Hector didn’t bother with the car and instead walked beside Natalia down the tree-lined sidewalk. The evening lights were just coming to life, filling the air with the comforting scent of coconut, as rich and enveloping as the essence of love itself.

“Hector, I…” Natalia started, then hesitated.

Turning to her with a gentle expression, Hector asked, “What is it? What do you want to say?”

After a moment's hesitation and with a voice barely above a whisper, Natalia said, “Hector, can you maybe not be so good to me?”

Hector laughed heartily, ruffling her hair affectionately. “Being good to you is just part of the deal, isn’t it? After all, you are my girl.”

“But the better you treat me, the more I feel like I'm taking advantage of you, and it makes me feel guilty,” she admitted.

“You silly thing, I do everything willingly. Why would you ever feel guilty about that?” Hector looked at her, puzzled by the concern knitting her brows.

There was a prolonged silence before Natalia spoke softly, “Hector, let’s give it a shot, you and me?”

“What did you say?” Hector stopped in his tracks, hardly believing his ears.

“I said, let’s try dating.” Natalia fidgeted with her fingers. Her gaze almost burrowed a hole in the ground.

Joy exploded within Hector, as he stared at Natalia, the girl he loved more than life itself. He was so elated he was at a loss for words. After all these years, his patience was finally paying off; Natalia was coming back to him!

He spun around her in excitement, then suddenly calmed himself down. “Natalia, you don’t have to do this, really. I never wanted anything in return for being kind to you. And I know your heart’s still tangled up with Magnus. Even if he’s been spotted in Rome with that Diana, I believe that with Magnus’ taste, he surely won’t settle for her.”

Hector was over the moon with Natalia’s proposal, but he didn’t want her to feel indebted to him. He was prepared to wait, to wait for her wholehearted acceptance. Her love had to be given freely.

He hadn’t followed news of Magnus since they'd left Rome, but he knew Magnus well enough to be sure the man wouldn't be interested in someone like Diana. He loved Natalia and wanted a lifetime with her, but he wanted it to be honest and true, not something born from vulnerability or despair.

Hearing Hector’s heartfelt words, Natalia felt deeply moved. She said hesitantly, “Hector, I’ve thought it over these past few days. Whatever ties Diana might have with Magnus are no longer my concern. I can’t go back to him. And I’ve seen how hard you've worked, how much you've given. I've been wondering if I was too selfish before and took all the kindness you showed me for granted. Hector, I think I should try to give us a chance."