The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 532

Johanson had never been one to swallow his pride, and deep down, he had no intention of locking Anna in the dreaded dungeon. As the others pleaded for Anna, he seized the opportunity to back down with grace, grumbling, "Hmph, even if I don't throw her in the dungeon, we can't just let this slide! Anna, starting today, you are grounded for a month. You are forbidden from stepping even one foot outside of Oakwood Manor. Got it?"

Anna nodded obediently. "Okay."

Earlier, when she had seen the fury in Johanson's eyes, she feared the worst—a harsh punishment. Being grounded was a mild consequence in comparison.

After venting his anger, Johanson stormed out of the foyer, his mind swirling with doubts. Could it be that the boy they had found was actually related to Anna by blood? Otherwise, how could she have had such a vivid dream about him?

It was probably just a coincidence, he thought. If Anna had met her true kin, they would have surely asked about each other's past.

"Ah, forget about it," he mused, dismissing the thought as quickly as it had come. The troublesome lad had already left and was sailing away on a fishing boat into the unpredictable sea. For all Johanson knew, the boy could have already sunk to the ocean floor.

With this thought, Johanson mentally filed the boy under "lost at sea," and moved on.

Meanwhile, Anna, though spared from the dungeon, was confined within the bounds of Oakwood Manor. She rarely left the estate, yet her dear mother Gabby's grave lay beyond its boundaries. Now unable to visit, she leaned against the outermost fence, gazing forlornly in the direction of the tombstone.

The gatekeeper, witnessing her sorrow, spoke softly, "Miss Anna, Mr. Johanson has ordered you to stay put for a month. Time will quickly pass, and there's no need for such sadness. Once the month is over, you'll be free to visit your mother's grave."

Anna seemed not to hear as her eyes were fixed on the direction of Gabby's resting place, her young face etched with longing.

In her heart, she whispered silent messages to Gabby.

"Mom, can you hear me? I miss you so much. Johanson has grounded me, and I can't bring flowers to your grave. I hope you don't miss me too much.

"Mom, I always thought of this place as my home, but after being punished today, I realized I'm just a passerby.

"Even though I'm treated better than the servants, I'm not truly a mistress of this manor.

"Mom, where is my real home? Where are my real mother and father?"

Anna sighed silently to herself. Her lonely silhouette was stretched long by the setting sun, tugging at the gatekeeper's heartstrings. However, the gatekeeper was just a servant and could not defy Johanson's commands.

That evening, Anna went without dinner, curling up alone in her bed, hugging her shoulders in the darkness.

Late at night, Johanson tiptoed into Anna's room and saw her lying there, a small mound under the blankets. His heart softened. Beneath the moonlight, he noticed the tear stains on her cheeks and immediately pulled her into his embrace. "Anna, I'm sorry. I won't ground you anymore. Don't be sad."

He held her tightly, feeling a pang of guilt. He had cared for little Anna since she was young, and he wasn't sure if it was he who had looked after her or if she had filled his lonely life with purpose. He couldn't bear to see her cry. It hurt him too.

Anna, feeling the tightness of Johanson's hug, opened her eyes and saw his remorseful face. She managed a weak smile. "Johanson, why are you still awake?"