The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 453

Across the bar, a man lounged with an air of self-satisfaction, flanked by two women who clung to him like ivy. His name was Chuck, and like his buddy Lucius, he reveled in the company of the opposite sex. Birds of a feather indeed flocked together, indulging in all manner of vices - drinking, gambling, and enjoying the company of women were but a few of their shared pastimes. Tonight, they had convened in the neon glow of the bar, seeking the thrill of the night and the charm of the ladies.

The women who accompanied them were no strangers to this world of nightly escapades. Skilled in the art of flattery, they didn't waste much time before one full-figured siren had Lucius wrapped around her finger, and soon they disappeared into the privacy of a booth. Before long, the sounds of sex- a woman's moans and a man's restrained growls - spilled from the booth, painting the air with a vividness that flushed the cheeks of those outside.

Aroused by the unbridled indulgence, the other man led his companion into an adjacent booth to sate the desires coursing through him.

After half an hour, the woman who had entered with Lucius staggered out, giving her waiting friends a knowing smirk. One of her compatriots, with a sultry smile and a toss of her hair, sashayed into the booth to continue what could only be described as licentious exploits with Lucius.

The bar's music pulsed, mirroring the rhythmic escapades unfolding within each private booth. As dawn approached, the revelers dispersed, leaving behind a grim tableau of crumpled napkins, empty bottles, and the lingering stench of cigarette smoke - a nauseating blend that bore witness to the night's excesses.

Weary from his nocturnal pursuits, Lucius drove back to his villa. The lights were on, a sure sign that Gabby was awake, waiting for his return. Upon entering the living room, Lucius found Gabby asleep on the couch, clutching their daughter, Anna. His disdain for her was palpable; he couldn't understand why he couldn't shake her off, despite his genuine dislike for her.

Gabby awoke at the sound of his arrival. She looked up at Lucius with heavy eyes, her heart sinking. The man she loved with every fiber of her being did not return her affections with the same depth. There was a particular type of sorrow in loving someone who didn’t love you back. Gabby's silent endurance and her efforts seemed to be more of a nuisance to Lucius than anything else.

Gabby's heart ached with a profound sense of insignificance. She felt as small as a shrimp in the vast ocean, yearning for the soaring eagle above. Despite knowing the futility of her desire, she couldn't help but long to be closer to him. Her grief, heavy and unyielding, threatened to overwhelm her, and tears welled in her eyes despite her best efforts to stay strong.

"Dummy," she called out to Lucius, "Why didn't you come home last night? Anna and I waited up for you."

His patience was already threadbare, but Lucius turned to her with irritation. "I had a business engagement, drinks with a client. Can't you just let it be and not ask so many questions?"