The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)
Chapter 386

Magnus' fists clenched with a fury that had been brewing like a tempest. With a powerful swing, he struck Lucius' arm, toppling him off Hector. His voice was laced with worry as he helped Hector up, shouting, "Are you okay, man?"

Lucius lay sprawled on the ground, his energy sapped but his resolve for vengeance unwavering. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Lucius staggered to his feet, his gun aimed shakily at Magnus and Hector. "Why are you always acting against me. You are not gonna walk out of here live. Do you hear me?"

But Magnus' focus was entirely on Hector, who had taken a bullet. Ignoring Lucius' ranting, he half-supported Hector and looked down at the man who'd been vying for his wife's affection. He'd despised Hector yet seeing him covered in blood, Magnus' heart ached. "Hector, c'mon man, stay with me!"

He vividly remembered Hector's heroic act to save Jonas, and how he had tugged at Lucius to deflect the bullet's deadly path. In that instant, all of Magnus' prior resentment towards Hector evaporated, replaced only by an urgent desire to keep him alive.

Hector's eyes fluttered open weakly. His chest was soaked in his blood. He managed to smile faintly at the sight of Magnus' concern. With a strained cough, he joked, "Magnus, shouldn't you be glad I'm about to kick the bucket? That way, Natalia's all yours."

Tears fell from Magnus' eyes, dropping onto the crimson stain and spreading across Hector's chest. "Idiot, you dying won't help, 'cause then you can't beat me! If you pull through, I'll give you a fair shot at winning her, deal?"

"Deal. Remember, you said it," Hector nodded faintly, his voice growing weaker. "But, I'm worried I won't make it..."

"No way! You are a man! Fight me for her, fair and square! Hold on, Hector, don't make me lose respect for you!" Magnus roared, trying to help Hector to his feet.

But Magnus had forgotten about Lucius, standing there with a gun and madness consuming him. How could he let them walk away?

Magnus struggled to lift Hector when suddenly a vicious kick sent them both stumbling forward, nearly toppling into the churning sea below the deck.

Magnus reached out, grabbing Hector, who was half overboard. "Hold on! Don't let go!"

Hector's front and back were soaked in blood. His body was hanging limply over the edge. If not for Magnus' grip, he would have been lost to the ocean depths.

"Ha! What a pair of unfortunate men! You both fall for the same woman and still treat each other with respect. How rare!" Lucius laughed triumphantly. "Well then, I'll send you both on your way!"

As he spoke, Lucius stomped down on the hands that Magnus and Hector clung to, grinding his boot with all his might. "Fuck you!"

Agonizing pain shot up Magnus' arm. He gritted his teeth, holding on, and glared up defiantly at Lucius. "Lucius, you'll pay for this!"

"I won't die, but today, you're done for," Lucius sneered, bending down slowly, pointing his gun at Magnus' arm, and pulling the trigger with a sinister smile. "Let's see if you can still hold onto your dear cousin after this."

Bang!

The gunshot echoed, and a piercing pain ripped through Magnus' arm. His face turned white with pain, but he didn't cry out, and only encouraged Hector, "Hang in there!"

Upon hearing the gunshot, Natalia's emotions shattered. She set Jonas down and rushed to help but was stopped by James, who had arrived just in time. He grasped Natalia and pulled her away from the lower decks. "We need to get to safety now. There's a bomb!"

Natalia stumbled away, guided by James.

On the deck, blood flowed from Magnus' arm, forming a crimson line that snaked its way to Hector's face. Hector, growing weaker, looked sincerely at Magnus. "Magnus, promise me you'll take care of Natalia. She can't go through this again. Take care of her!"

With those final words, Hector released Magnus' hand and grabbed Lucius' legs with a sudden movement. Using the gravity of his half-ejected body, he pulled Lucius overboard with him. It happened in a flash. Lucius' cries of fury and Hector's last instructions were carried away by the sea breeze, followed by the sound of crashing waves, until all was silent again.

"No!"

"Don't!"

Magnus roared with all his might as he knelt on the deck, while Natalia, having witnessed it all, let out a heart-wrenching scream and collapsed into unconsciousness.

The sea gently rolled its waves, painting a picture of serenity as if none of the horrors had occurred. There was no sin, no scheming, no bloodshed...

Under the clear blue sky, Magnus insisted on a search and rescue, knowing the gravely injured Hector couldn't survive the sea's embrace. After a day and night of searching, there was no sign of either body. The sea remained calm as if nothing had ever happened.

When Natalia awoke, she found herself in a hospital bed. How many times had she woken up like this? She couldn't even remember.

Natalia tilted her head slightly, staring blankly through the transparent windowpane at the pleasant view outside. Only she knew the storm brewing within her heart. A drizzle of sorrow steadily fell in the dimness of her soul.

The mere thought of Hector brought uncontrollable tears to the corners of her eyes. The ghastly scene on the deck, and Hector's final cry before plunging into the ocean depths, gnawed at her already battered heart like a dull blade, scraping away bit by excruciating bit.

"Hector, you must come back safe," she whispered to the emptiness, a silent prayer for his return.

"You're awake?" The voice of Magnus broke through her reverie. Natalia turned to see him sitting by her bedside. His head was wrapped in a bandage, and his arm was swathed in a cast.

A pang of sorrow gripped her heart as she nodded, and her eyes brimmed with tears. "Yeah, I'm awake. Are you alright? Any news about Hector? What about Jonas?"

Magnus had clearly succumbed to exhaustion and dozed off while keeping vigil by her bed. A bullet had pierced his arm, but luckily, it hadn't hit the bone. After a hasty bandage job, he had insisted on staying by Natalia's side, determined to be there when she awoke.