The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 239

Natalia nodded. "Yes, the rift between Magnus and I is too deep to mend. Besides, Cal has done so much for me over the years..."

"But gratitude isn't love!" Lexi exclaimed abruptly. "Natalia, you mustn't mistake gratitude for love. True love is about sticking together through thick and thin, no matter what. How romantic that is!"

Natalia hesitated for a moment. "But I don't think what's between Magnus and I is love. All of this stems from his obsession. Things wouldn't have turned out this way if he had let go earlier."

After hearing Natalia's words, neither Lexi nor Sabrina had anything to say. After all, it was hard for outsiders to understand the feelings between them. The emotional entanglement between Natalia, Magnus, and Cal was something Lexi and Sabrina, who were not involved, couldn't comment on.

"Natalia, no matter who you choose, we sincerely wish you happiness," Sabrina stated earnestly.

Lexi nodded in agreement. "Right, Natalia, whoever ends up marrying you will be the luckiest man in the world. And I'm so curious about Cal, who is so devoted to you. If I get a chance, I would love to meet him and see if he's a thousand times better than Magnus."

"No problem. When I go back to England, I'll take you with me. I'll show you the medieval castles. Aren't you fascinated by those?" Natalia agreed cheerfully.

At the mention of medieval castles, Lexi's eyes lit up. "Natalia, you mean to tell me you've been living in a castle for the past five years? That's amazing! Give me a castle and lock me up in it, I won't complain!"

Natalia, aware of Lexi's fervor for ancient British castles, nodded knowingly. "Sure. Next time, I'll take you. And I'll ask Cal if their castle has a dungeon or something so you can experience what it's like being locked up."

"Stop it!" Lexi gave Natalia a playful glare, pretending to be offended. "I'm a princess, not a prisoner. I want to sleep in the princess' bedroom."

Sabrina chuckled, teasing, "Yes, yes, you're a princess, albeit a clumsy one."

"Hey, you! Do you need a spanking, is that it?" Lexi retorted, playfully reaching out to tickle Sabrina, who quickly raised her hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I admit, you're a princess destined to live in a castle. Is that better?"

"Hmm, that's more like it. As a princess, I won't argue with you any further. You may go now."

The three of them were in high spirits. Their playful banter temporarily eased Natalia's inner turmoil.

After a while, Lexi and Sabrina said their goodbyes, not even staying for lunch. Natalia saw them out, sternly telling them to check in every day before she let them go.

After watching Lexi and Sabrina's figures disappear, Natalia turned around, only to be engulfed in a big bear hug by Jonas. "Mommy, can you play with me for a bit?"

"Sure, sure, I will play with you. What do you want to do?" Perhaps it was because she had just met old friends, Natalia was in good spirits and was more than willing to fulfill Jonas' request.

"Mommy, let's play hide and seek. The one who gets found will be tickled. Daddy can play, too." Jonas said. He ran over to Magnus, who was reading the newspaper on the sofa, and pulled him over.

Magnus was worrying about how to improve his relationship with Natalia when their little mastermind, Jonas, came up with this brilliant idea. He secretly gave Jonas a thumbs-up, as if to say, “That's my boy!”

"Then what is it? Natalia, we are husband and wife. Don't you even want to give me a chance to make up?"

Natalia felt powerless. "Magnus, have you heard of the saying 'Water spilled on the ground can’t be gathered up again?’ Not everything can be fixed. Now, I need to go find Jonas. Please move aside." After saying this, Natalia walked around Magnus to look for Jonas.

Magnus watched as Natalia passed by him. His fists clenched tight, hidden from sight. This woman, the woman he loved with all his being, could always knock him down so effortlessly. It seemed that the road to winning her heart was still a long journey.

There he was, a man who could control anything in the world, yet he couldn't find a way into this woman's heart!

He refused to accept it!

And so, the day drifted by, full of such tender family interactions.

When evening fell, Natalia, in an attempt to avoid further interactions with Magnus, quickly led Jonas upstairs after dinner.

Jonas, already in his pajamas, obediently lay next to Natalia. His small, marshmallow-like hand was resting on her neck as he asked cautiously, "Mommy, do you not like Daddy?"

Natalia was taken aback, she hadn't expected her five-year-old son to be so perceptive. She gently stroked his hair, responding softly, "Why no, Jonas, why would you ask that?"