The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)
Chapter 402

After absorbing Angela's words, Natalia was at a loss. Instinctively, her gaze drifted to Magnus, who had been silently brooding the whole time.

Magnus nodded. "Let her go, man. It's a debt of the heart that James owes, and he's gotta face it head on. If they really hit it off, I'd be more than happy to have a woman take him in hand and make him taste what it's like to be struck by Cupid's arrow."

With that, Magnus wrapped an arm around Natalia, clearing a path for Angela with gentlemanly ease. "Princess Angela, feel free to rough him up, just try not to break anything important."

Grateful, Angela nodded. "Don't worry, I'm too busy loving him to hurt him. And besides, do you really think I'd do something to harm you or James?"

Without another word, Angela hoisted the unconscious James over her shoulder and walked out of Natalia's apartment.

Watching Angela's retreating figure, Magnus muttered under his breath, "It's precisely because I know you and Cal are cut from the same cloth that I'm worried about."

Natalia didn't catch his words and looked up. "What was that?"

Magnus shook his head. "Nothing. It's good this way. Finally, there's a woman willing to tame that wild one."

But Natalia was still worried. "Doesn't Angela seem a bit too strong, though?"

"What's wrong with that? To each their own, right? James is always so picky, and thinks taking care of a woman is too much trouble. Ha, now he's got someone who can squash him flat, so maybe they'll really hit it off," Magnus said, embracing Natalia's shoulder with affection. "Darling, I'm ready to take care of you for the rest of our lives."

This time, Natalia didn't get lost in Magnus' loving gaze but gently pushed him away. "No need, I'm not that fragile girl anymore. I can take care of myself."

Magnus looked crestfallen, quickly adopting a pitiful expression. "But baby, I desperately need your care."

Natalia laughed without a word, heading for the living room. Magnus immediately followed, as though afraid Natalia might vanish from his sight.

In the living room, Lexi and Cal were wrapped up in sweet nothings; their misunderstandings were resolved, and they were deeply in love.

Natalia cleared her throat, teasing, "Wow, you two made up already?"

Lexi laughed heartily. "Of course, life's too short to waste. Gotta seize the moment!"

"Exactly, Buttercup," Cal added seriously. "I hope you can let go of your past hurts and replace true happiness. And despite the fact that I can't stand the sight of Magnus, I must admit, he's the right guy for you." Natalia, caught between their playful exchange, blushed slightly. "I was just teasing you two, and now you're ganging up on me. How frustrating."

Magnus quickly chimed in, "Who's ganging up on you? Didn't you hear Callum complimenting me? Since you're not speaking against your conscience, I've decided to treat you guys to some authentic Hawaiian cuisine, how about it?"

Callum snorted but said nothing. He and Magnus were like oil and water, barely tolerating each other; it was a wonder they didn't come to blows.

Lexi, on the other hand, was enthusiastic. "That sounds fantastic, but I'm dying to get back to the UK. I need to confront Rita face to face, see if she sleeps at night after all she's done!"

With that, she turned to Callum. "I'm going to interrogate your maid, and don't you dare feel sorry for her."

Callum raised his hands in surrender. "Lexi, she's already locked in the dungeon, ready for your questioning whenever you return!"

"That's more like it," Lexi said, finally satisfied. She turned to Natalia. "I'm sorry, Natalia, I can't stay longer. I'm too eager to deal with Rita. But I'll let you know how it goes."

After saying goodbye, Lexi and Cal left Hawaii with Mason in tow. The once-bustling apartment felt empty and quiet without Lexi and James. Jonas was the most disappointed, missing his playmate Mason and feeling a bit down.

Natalia comforted Jonas, explaining that life was about meeting new friends and bidding farewell to old ones as we grew. Magnus, however, had a different theory. He was convinced Jonas was hinting he wanted a little brother or sister and pestered Natalia daily, committed to his mission of expanding their family.

Unable to shake off the persistent Magnus, Natalia let him be, enduring his relentless pursuit with a mix of amusement and resignation.

Gradually, her heart began to open, and she recalled Cal's parting words. Indeed, life was too short, and seizing the moment was key. Let past sorrows drift away with the wind.

True to his word, Magnus moved with Natalia to Hawaii, shifting his business there too. As his own boss, he didn't need to keep regular office hours and just chair the occasional remote work meeting.

Natalia busied herself with the company she and Hector had started. Though Hector's whereabouts remained unknown, she firmly believed he was still alive and would one day return. She worked even harder to ensure the company thrived so that when Hector came back, he'd replace a well-oiled enterprise waiting for him.

Jonas attended a prestigious local school and would occasionally grumble, asking Natalia when he'd get a little brother or sister to play with.

But having children wasn't something you could schedule, even for someone as determined as Magnus. Despite his nightly efforts, Natalia's womb remained quiet. Luckily for Magnus, he wasn't too worried. He just wanted to create another token of love with Natalia, firmly believing that the right moment just hadn't arrived yet.

And so, life went on serenely for the happy family of three, drifting gently from spring's bloom to summer's heat, gliding from the golden hues of autumn to the frosty embrace of winter. Before they knew it, another year had slipped away.

The rainy season arrived, unleashing relentless torrents of rain that danced and splashed like a myriad of blossoming water lilies.

Natalia gazed out the window with a furrowed brow at the deluge, chiding herself for rushing out earlier and forgetting her umbrella. Her office was just a stone's throw from where she lived, which made walking a daily routine for Natalia. Not only did it keep her fit, but it also allowed her to breathe in the refreshing sea breeze that kissed the shores of Hawaii.

As dusk began to cloak the sky, Natalia pulled out her phone with the intention of calling Magnus to pick her up.