The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 377

Natalia's heart was heavy with the vicious oath she'd been coerced into by Belle. If she ever went back to Magnus, her son, Jonas, would be doomed to an untimely death.

The thought of such a curse was unbearable. She couldn't let that happen to Jonas. No amount of personal suffering could justify that outcome.

With this in mind, Natalia's turmoil began to settle, and the conflict in her eyes softened. "Magnus, please go. Take Jonas and leave. I can't be part of your lives anymore. The moment I made that damn promise in front of Belle, it sealed my fate—I can't return to you," Natalia managed to say, her voice choked with emotion. "Just go, and don't disrupt the life I need to lead now."

Magnus wasn't one to let her slip away so easily. He grasped her firmly, compelling her to look into his eyes, which were as deep and relentless as the ocean. "Darling, why do you insist on believing that nonsense? Besides, I'm not asking you to come back with us; Jonas and I are here to join you. We’ll follow your lead. That way, the curse won't hold, right?"

A spark ignited in Natalia's eyes, as if Magnus’ words had cleared the fog that had long clouded her mind. Yet as she gazed into his eyes, the image of Diana surfaced—Diana, who had spent a scandalous night with him, according to the tabloids. If Magnus could spend a whole night with Diana, why bother coming back for her?

Natalia recoiled. "Aren't you with Diana now? Isn't that working out for you?"

"No! That was all just an act," James burst out, a surge of elation running through him. Her concern meant she still cared! "Listen to me, I only got close to her to find out where you were. I swear, if I've ever done anything to betray you, be it with Diana or any other woman, may I be struck down by lightning and suffer a fate worse than death!"

Natalia's head snapped up. "Who asked you to swear?!"

Realizing she had revealed her lingering feelings for Magnus, she stubbornly shook her head. "It's too late, Magnus. Some things can't be undone. When I saw those articles about you and Diana, claiming you were lovers, my heart was shattered. Eventually, I was hit by a truck in the streets of Hawaii, and the doctors said there was an eighty percent chance I'd become a vegetable."

"What?!"

"Oh my God, Mommy…"

Both Magnus and Jonas exclaimed in shock. They had no idea Natalia had gone through such a perilous time.

"I'm so sorry, darling. It's all my fault," Magnus said, his hands trembling as he held her. He was furious at himself for not being there for her in her darkest hour.

Jonas rushed to embrace Natalia. "Mommy, I'm so glad you're okay. You can't leave me alone!"