The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 42

A week later, Dr. Frankie arrived to check on his wound. With a soft chuckle, he remarked, "Magnus, you've been quite the baby these past few days. Your wound is healing quickly."

Magnus glanced at the girl standing by his side, the corners of his mouth curving into an increasingly wide smile.

Once Dr. Frankie had left, Magnus felt no need to continue pretending. Seeing Natalia step out, he sat up, dressed, and began to stretch his legs. After a week in bed, he felt as though he was growing moldy.

Natalia walked in after a while and saw him sitting in the wheelchair. She immediately went over to him. "You're up. Let me take you outside for some fresh air."

She wheeled Magnus into the yard. The man's gaze was deep, watching as she covered his knees with a blanket. He reached out and took her small hand as she crouched at his feet, looking up at him.

Over the months they had spent together, he had grown gentler, at least he had stopped lashing out at her. "Darling, you've taken such good care of me these past few days. I appreciate it. In a few days, once I'm home, I'll grant you one request. As long as it's within my power, I'll make it happen," he said, looking deeply into her eyes.

She must have something she wanted to do. As long as she stayed by his side as his wife, he would do whatever it took to make her happy. She was truly beautiful when she smiled.

She was silent for a moment, staring at his handsome face. "You'll really grant any request I make?"

"Of course, as long as it's reasonable," he replied.

Natalia's heart pounded. If she asked to go back to school, would he agree? It seemed unlikely.

"What is it, darling? What do you want to do?" Magnus asked with a soft smile.

"I want to go back to school." Natalia blurted out.

Magnus was taken aback. He had not expected her to ask to go back to school. "You really want to go back to school?" he asked, furrowing his brows.

Seeing his change in expression, Natalia quickly laughed it off. "Just kidding, Magnus. I won't go back to school. If one day your leg gets better and you can stand up, I'll go back and finish my studies then. Not now."

Magnus looked at the girl standing by his side. She was dressed in a white dress, her skin was glowing, and there was intelligence in her eyes. She stood against the sun, which cast a halo around her head.

She was still a student. She hadn't graduated from college yet. From what he had seen these past few months, she loved painting. She must have dreams that she had put on hold to marry him and move to Sapphire Island to repay a favor owed to Kendra.

If she was going to be his wife for the rest of her life, how could he not help her achieve her dreams?

"Alright, I promise you. When the time comes, you can go back to school," he said in a deep voice.

Natalia looked at him in shock. She couldn't believe that he had agreed to her request, but he had. "You're serious? You promise?" she asked, slowly crouching down and placing her hands on his legs.

He replied, "Of course. But you have to behave. When I'm in a good mood one day, I'll let you go back to school."

"Okay, Magnus. Don't worry. As long as I can go back to school, I'll do whatever you ask." Staring at her small, fair hand on his leg, the hand that had bathed him every day and sometimes touched him in places it shouldn't, he swallowed hard. "Alright. In a couple of days, we'll head to Melfort. We should get some rest early tonight." In truth, his wound had almost completely healed. He just wanted the girl to take care of him a little longer.

After they had dinner, Natalia bathed him as usual and then went to the study to read and paint. That night, Magnus wheeled himself into the bathroom. "I want to take a bath tonight. I've been wiped down for a week, and I want a proper bath."

Natalia watched as he removed his shirt. "Your wound can't get wet."

"No can do. I've been uncomfortable for days without a proper bath."

With no other option, Natalia helped him into the bathtub. He looked at the shorts and said, "How can you bathe with your shorts still on?"