The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 320

Lexi was gasping for breath through her tears as she followed Natalia away from the bustling harbor walkway, settling down in a crowded spot.

"Okay, Lexi, stop crying and tell me what's going on. Why do you look so distressed?" Natalia asked, her voice filled with worry.

"Natalia, can I get something to eat first?" Lexi asked hesitantly. She was pregnant and couldn't handle being hungry. But she didn't have a penny in her pocket; Callum held all her identification documents.

"Sure, what do you want to eat? I'll take you somewhere," Natalia responded, helping Lexi up and leading her to a café by the harbor.

They found a private booth and ordered some food. After Lexi had gobbled down her meal, Natalia softly asked, "Lexi, what's going on? I've been looking for you for a while but haven't heard from you. I even visited your parents, but they said you hadn't returned from overseas."

Lexi swallowed her last bite, finally feeling full. As Natalia asked about her situation, tears welled up in her eyes. "Natalia, I was held captive. It's true."

"What?!" Natalia could hardly believe her ears. "Where were you held captive? Who did this to you?"

Lexi shook her head. Despite the constraints Callum put on her, she didn't want to expose him. She sighed deeply, "Natalia, I was out in England, just wandering around, and suddenly someone took me captive. I don't know who it was. Then, after a lot of struggle, I managed to escape."

Natalia was heartbroken, unable to fathom the horrors Lexi had endured. "Lexi, this is horrifying! It's all my fault. If I hadn't been arguing with Magnus then, none of this would've happened."

Natalia glanced at Lexi's swelling belly, asking cautiously, "What will you do about the baby?"

Tears poured down Lexi's face as she shook her head. "I don't know, Natalia. I don't want this child. It's not a product of love. But, but I..."

Lexi couldn't finish her sentence, but Natalia understood her feelings. "You can't bear to give it up, can you? I get it. I'm a mother, too. Lexi, I'm so sorry. You wouldn't have had to go through this if it wasn't for me."

"It's not your fault, Natalia. I wasn't careful," Lexi consoled Natalia, urging her not to overthink.

Natalia was distraught and asked Lexi, "What are you planning to do now?"

Lexi shook her head, "I'm not sure, Natalia. That person has all of my IDs. And I don't have the courage to go home. How can I let my parents see me like this, in such a mess? Natalia, I don't know what I should do."

Natalia bowed her head, equally unsure of what to do. After a moment of silence, she looked up and suggested, "Maybe, we can lay low here? Wait until the baby is born and then decide what to do?"

Natalia pulled away from Lexi. "Alright, you're pregnant now, you need to take care of yourself. I've made a promise and won't change my mind easily. Ever since Magnus met me, he's had bad luck. I think it's because my luck is so bad, it's affected him too."

Lexi was genuinely vexed with Natalia. She couldn't for the life of her understand what was going through Natalia's head. Yet, after many years of being best friends, Lexi knew all too well how stubborn Natalia could be.

"Natalia, can you please listen to me? I think you're really..." Lexi's words were abruptly cut off as the door to their booth was pushed open.

Lexi and Natalia both turned towards the door, only to be shocked by the sight of Callum strolling in.

"Cal, how on earth did you end up here?" Natalia's jaw dropped in surprise. This was too much of a coincidence, wasn't it?

Meanwhile, Lexi was so stunned that she didn't know how to react. She wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole! This damn man, how did he know she had sought refuge here?

Callum glanced at Lexi before turning to Natalia, enveloping her in a warm hug. "Natalia, long time no see. I came specifically to pursue someone."

"Pursue?" Natalia paused, her gaze flicking over to Lexi, who was seated opposite her. "Oh my gosh, Cal, don't tell me you're here to find Lexi."