The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)
Chapter 413

Hector's new room was just up the stairs, nestled in a quaint corner of the two-story Victorian house that Natalia and Magnus called home. As he lugged his suitcase up each step, Natalia's voice followed him, tinged with a hint of melancholy.

"There's your room, Hector. Make yourself at home. I'm sure the memories will come back before too long," she said, her voice echoing in the empty hallway. She knew better than to dwell on the painful past. The heart-wrenching stories were best left buried.

Brushing off the gloom, Natalia put on a cheerful face. "Don't worry about remembering everything. What's forgotten is probably not important. The main thing is you're back safe and sound. That's all that matters. Just get used to life around here and remember we're your family."

"Yeah, we're your family," Magnus chimed in, with a protective glare that left unsaid words hanging in the air. "And don't you dare think about making a move on my wife."

Of course, while he didn't voice this out loud, his actions spoke volumes, and he was certain Hector would pick up on the unspoken warning.

Hector sipped the glass of ice water Natalia had handed him, swallowing the bitter taste that lingered in his throat. "Thank you," he murmured.

"What are you thanking us for? We're family," Natalia replied, quickly shifting gears. "Now, why don't you change out of those clothes and toss 'em out? Get yourself a fresh haircut, and I bet you'll look and feel like a new man."

Hector nodded in agreement, and Natalia's eyes crinkled with happiness. It was just like the old days when Hector would agree to anything she suggested.

"Mama, I'm home!"

The silence was broken by the front door swinging open as little Jonas burst into the room, beaming with joy. "Mama, it's been a whole week! I've missed you so much! Did you miss me?"

"Of course, I missed you, sweetheart!" Natalia replied, realizing it was the weekend and time to cherish moments with her beloved son. "Hungry? Should I whip up something for you?"

Jonas shook his head and snuggled into Natalia's shoulder, then noticed Hector sitting across the room. "Who are you? Uncle Hector?"

Hector nodded gently. "Yes, but I'm afraid I don't remember you."

Jonas hopped off Natalia's lap, eyes wide with recognition. "You are Uncle Hector! Oh my gosh, you've lost so much weight! Uncle Hector, do you know how cool you were that day you saved me from falling of the deck? I was totally in awe!"

Hector forced an awkward smile, not recalling any of the heroics Jonas was praising.

"Uncle Hector, where have you been all this time? Mom was so worried about you; I've seen her crying in secret."

Hector's gaze clouded for a moment. "I'm not sure. I think a wave swept me to a deserted island, and I was rescued by the people there."

He pressed his lips together, remembering the inhumane conditions he had endured on the island. But he had survived and found his way back to the voices that brought him peace. Wrapping up his story quickly to avoid worrying Natalia, Hector concluded, "After I recovered, I started wandering on a yacht and finally made it here."

Although he didn't share the full extent of his trials, Natalia could sense his hardship through his eyes. To avoid dwelling on the past, she scolded Jonas lightly, "Alright, let Hector rest. I'll get started on lunch." Jonas stuck out his tongue at Natalia's retreating figure, then turned to Hector with a mischievous gleam in his eye. "Uncle Hector, can you teach me how to fight? So I can protect Mama when I grow up." Magnus, who had been quietly observing, suddenly felt threatened in his role as a father. "Hey, kiddo, your old man's got some moves, too, you know!"

Jonas glanced skeptically at his dad. "Dad, your skills are just for fun. But look at Uncle Hector's muscles!"

Jonas' innocent words struck a chord with Magnus. Yes, Hector seemed different now, his gaze colder, like a wolf who had survived many battles, carrying aloofness and disdain for life. Magnus decided it was time to investigate what had truly happened during Hector's disappearance.

Across the sea in England, Lexi had returned to the safety of Callum's castle, only to be confronted with the reality of Rita's betrayal. Rita had sold out to Angela's father, intent on eliminating Lexi. Callum's reaction was volcanic. The thought of such treachery under his roof was intolerable; he ordered Rita to be thrown to the wolves on the back hills.

However, Lexi stopped him in time. Ever since she had a child, her heart had become soft. She had a mentality of letting things go, and took it as building good karma for her young son. Therefore, she vetoed Callum's action and instead persuaded him to hand Rita over to the police.

Although Callum wanted nothing more than to tear Rita to pieces, he complied with Lexi's words in order to make her happy, and sent Rita to jail.

However, although he successfully resolved the misunderstanding with Lexi, he did not successfully resolve Lexi's complaints about him.

Because at night, Lexi always kept the door tightly closed and didn't allow him to enter. Moreover, Lexi retorted firmly through the door gap, saying that it was because his love for her was not careful enough, not deep enough, that the incident of her almost being killed by Rita happened.

Callum admitted that Lexi was right; all of this was completely caused by his oversight. But always keeping him outside the door was not okay!