The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 587

She was quietly worried, but considering she was in the little boy's house, where his safety should be guaranteed, she closed the door and waited patiently for the return of her little muffin.

As Max descended the stairs, he caught sight of Brendan entering the living room with his crew. His eyes crinkled with a smile, "Hey there, Uncle Tiger!"

"Good boy!" Brendan scooped up the little muffin, gently running his hand through his soft, downy hair. "Max, there's been a break-in. It's not safe here now. I’m going to take you away."

Max crossed his arms, looking up at Brendan with serious eyes, "Uncle Tiger, was it a lady? She's already scaled the roof and escaped next door. I saw it with my own eyes."

"Is that so? Alright, I'll go after her now. You stay put, Max. Don't wander around, and if anything happens, yell for help, okay?"

Still somewhat anxious, Brendan gave a few more words of caution before he left with his men to chase Elisea. "Let's go!"

As Brendan and his team quickly vanished, Max covered his mouth, suppressing a giggle, then trotted up the stairs. He soon reached his room and, pushing the door open, saw Elisea still inside. With a grin, he said, "Pretty lady, all clear. I sent them packing for you."

"Really?" Elisea hadn't expected such a smooth turn of events. She quickly crouched down to eye level with the little muffin. "Thank you for saving me, kiddo. What's your name?"

Max's eyes shone. "I'm Max. Don't mention it. Anyone would want to save someone as beautiful and kind-hearted as you."

Elisea felt a wave of dizziness at Max's innocent smile. She stood up quickly, waving as if to say goodbye. "Max, thank you for earlier. But I must go now, so long."

Max promptly blocked her path. "Will you come back? When I'm grown up, I want to marry you."

Elisea couldn't help but laugh at his childish words, tilting her head. "Why?"

"Because you're so agile, just like a Spider-Woman. I saw you scaling that wall. Yep, it was quite impressive, just as good as my dad's moves. I really like that."

Listening to Max's earnest babble, Elisea chuckled. She crouched down again, her voice soft. "Max, you're too young. When you're older, you'll meet plenty of amazing women. I've got things to do, and I won't be coming back."

Hearing she wouldn't return, Max's face fell, his disappointment clear.

"Alright, I really have to go now. Bye, Max." Elisea waved and moved to open the door.

Max again stopped her, removing a golden key from around his neck, promising earnestly, "Please, take this as a token of my affection. Keep it safe. No matter how many years, I'll wait for you to come back, and I believe you will."

Moved by the little boy's sincerity, Elisea involuntarily accepted the key, warm from Max's touch, and placed it carefully in her pocket. She couldn't shake the feeling that she knew Max from somewhere, and felt a dull ache in her heart. She pulled out a delicate curved knife and handed it to him. "Max, keep this as a memento. Maybe, just maybe, our paths will cross again."