The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 498

Grant had lived a life of turmoil, leaving a trail of broken lives and cold bodies in his wake. But there was one soul, a gentle spirit that had ensnared his heart in a way that nothing else could. Her name was Gabby, and she was the one thread of humanity that Grant couldn't sever; through her, he experienced the brutal sting of loss for the first time.

It wasn't until the following morning that Anna awoke from her deep sleep. The little girl didn't cry or wail as she had before. Instead, she gazed silently at Johanson, who had watched over her throughout the night, and asked softly, "Uncle Johanson, has Mommy been laid to rest?"

Johanson nodded, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Yeah, kiddo. Dad buried her in the family's cemetery plot, with all the honors due to a beloved lady."

"Oh," was all Anna could muster, a small acknowledgment before a long pause. She then looked up cautiously at Johanson. "Uncle Johanson, can I go see her?"

"You sure you're up for the walk?" Johanson asked with concern etched across his face.

Anna nodded with a resolve that seemed beyond her years. "I can do it."

There was a newfound maturity in her as she followed Johanson out of the house. Together, they walked towards the Grant family's cemetery, and before long, they arrived at the solemn place.

As Anna stood before the newly erected tombstone, her tears began to flow freely.

The image of Gabby on the tombstone was radiant. Her smile was wide and beautiful. It was a smile that had only begun to blossom after she had become pregnant, a smile that Grant had captured in a photograph.

The young girl wept silently before the stone, her tears eventually running dry. Then, with a small voice, she turned to Johanson and said, "Uncle Johanson, I guess I'm like you now, with no mommy."

"No," Johanson replied gently, shaking his head. "Remember what she said? You've got real parents out there somewhere. But I hope you'll stay with me because nobody knows where they are."

"Okay," Anna whispered, her mind not really focused on her biological parents. The loss of Gabby weighed heavily on her young heart.

Johanson didn't speak, but he made a solemn vow in his mind. Even when Anna grew up, he would never let her leave his side. He had promised Gabby he would look after Anna, not just for a while, but forever.

With Gabby's passing, Grant's mood became increasingly unpredictable, and he had no intention of sending Anna to find her birth parents.

His kindness towards Anna had been out of love for Gabby. Now that Gabby was gone, and there were no blood ties between her and Anna, Grant couldn't care less about Anna.

After the funeral, he had Anna sent to the servant's quarters, forbidding her from living in the main house. Seeing Anna only reminded him of Gabby, and that brought an unbearable pain.

One day, Grant happened upon Anna sitting on the curb, clutching Gabby's photograph and weeping.

A surge of irrational anger rose within him as he strode over, snatching the picture from her hands. "Are you loafing around instead of doing your chores?"

Startled, Anna looked up at him with wide, frightened eyes. "Uncle Grant? Can I have my mommy's picture back, please?"

Grant glared down at her. "You're nothing but a lowly maid. What right do you have to call me uncle? This picture belonged to my wife, and I'm not giving it back to you!"