The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 4

Sabrina quickly handed the box to Natalia. "Here you go." She then turned around and glared at Hector, feigning anger.

"Hey why the favoritism? Why does Natalia get cookies and we don't?" Sabrina's short, wavy hair bounced as she stared at Hector with her twinkling eyes.-

Hector watched as Natalia took the box and put it in her backpack, his heart filled with joy as she smiled up at him. He affectionately took Natalia's hand, then turned back to Sabrina, "When you find your Mr. Right, he'll be the one to give you cookies."

"Ugh, could you not flaunt your relationship so blatantly?" Lexi pretended to grumble.

Ignoring the playful banter, Hector took Natalia by the hand and left the front gate of the school, "Come on, Natalia, I'll walk you home."

"Hector, you don't have to. Don't you have basketball practice? We have a game next week." Natalia blushed as Hector pulled her along.

"Practice isn't as important as walking you home. Natalia, I'll be graduating in a year. When you graduate, do you want to join me?"

The six-foot-two Hector was the dream boy of every girl in their school, but he only had eyes for Natalia. Ever since she stepped foot into the school a year ago, he had been pursuing her relentlessly. Six months later, Natalia finally reciprocated his feelings and agreed to be his girlfriend. From then on, the two began a passionate romance in school. Due to jealousy, the other girls refused to talk to Natalia; only Lexi and Sabrina remained her close friends.

The three of them swore to be sisters for life, sharing both the good times and the bad.

Hector and Natalia laughed and chatted as they reached the front door of the Clarkson family home. "Go on in, Natalia. See you tomorrow." Hector leaned down to give Natalia a quick peck on the forehead.

Natalia watched as Hector shouldered his backpack and walked away, his smile as bright as the sunshine. A sweetness filled her heart, a feeling she hadn’t felt before she met him. “Take care, Hector.” She waved at him, “See you tomorrow!”

Seeing Natalia enter the house, Hector finally turned and left.

As Natalia walked in, she saw her mother and sister sitting on the couch. She greeted them, “I’m home.”

Just as she was about to head upstairs to do her homework, Addison called out, “Natalia, come here. I have something to discuss with you.”

Natalia put down her backpack and took a seat opposite Addison, who was looking at her with a calculating gaze. “Natalia, how long have you been living in this house? How do you feel about living here?” Addison asked, her eyes never leaving Natalia’s face. Natalia’s beauty only intensified Addison’s jealousy and hatred.

“I’ve been here for fifteen years. I feel good about living here, Mom.” Natalia replied, her big, blue eyes shining as bright as the stars in the sky.

Addison glared at her, “You’re lying! You’ve obviously been struggling in this house, yet you say you’re doing well. Natalia, there is a good opportunity waiting for you. You can leave this house and live a better life.”

Hearing that she might have had to leave her home, Natalia gripped the edge of the couch tightly. "Mom, I only have two more years until graduation. After I graduate, I plan to find a job and leave."

She had plans to finish college, then Hector said he would take her to the States. But that was two years away, and she couldn't leave now.