The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 57

Now, there was nothing she could offer him. She gently moved his hand from her shoulder and smiled. "Hector, yes, I'm back. I'm sorry." She was sorry for leaving unannounced, and for not being able to give him any hope.

"Never mind the apologies, you being back is enough," Hector said, gripping her small hand. "You know, Natalia, I was almost on my way to the States. I was here to wrap things up. But then you came back. God really does have a plan, and you're back in my life. Natalia..."

Pulling her into his embrace, he held her with every ounce of strength he had. "I missed you so much, it felt like my heart was breaking!"

Natalia stiffened, struggling to push Hector away. "Hector, listen to me... these past few months I..."

"It doesn't matter!" He interrupted her. "No matter where you've been, all that matters is that you're back. You're the one I want to protect for the rest of my life. I won't lose you again."

He held her tightly, not giving her a chance to fight back. Eventually, Natalia gave up struggling and shouted into his ear. "Hector, let go of me. Listen to me, I'm married!"

His arm, which was still holding her, jerked. A few seconds later, he slowly loosened his grip. Hector let her go, and his eyes were filled with unbearable pain. He had already suspected something, but he refused to believe it was true.

"What did you say? Natalia, don't lie to me. You're only twenty and still in college, how could you be married?" He laughed, almost on the verge of tears.

"It's true, Hector. I'm married. I took my sister's place and married Magnus. I'm sorry, Hector. Promise me you'll live well. You're young and wonderful, and there will be other girls for you. I don't deserve you." She watched his despairing eyes, and her heart began aching. She knew she was hurting him, but it was better to end it now than to drag it out.

Hector stared at her incredulously, his hands trembling. "What did you say? Natalia, you married Magnus? No, it can't be. How could it be?"

Turned out, Lillian was Hector’s aunt, which made Magnus his cousin. He knew Magnus and Lucius had been fighting over control of the Andersen Corporation. He knew the Andersens were planning to unite their family with the Clarksons through marriage, but that was supposed to be between Kendra and Lucius, not Natalia and Magnus!

"Natalia, this can't be true. How could you marry Magnus, the man who's been stuck on Sapphire Island for nine years? Natalia, are you joking?" He knew the truth, but he refused to believe it.

Natalia gripped his arm tightly. "Hector, calm down. It's true. I did it for my father. I replaced my sister and married into the Andersen family. I am now Magnus' wife. I'm sorry, Hector. Forget about me."

"How can I forget about you, Natalia? Why did you marry Magnus? Why didn't you tell me? You were my girlfriend, why didn't you come to me? If I had known, I would never have let you do this." Hector was in shock. His eyes were bloodshot. The pain was unbearable.

Natalia had never seen Hector like this before - desperate, in pain, and full of regret. She stared at him, her heart in agony. "Hector, I'm sorry. I just want to make things clear today. Don't wait for me anymore. Go to America and forget about all this."