The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 322

With a subconscious shake of her head, Lexi gave a reluctant nod at Natalia, her best friend, standing in front of her. "Yes, Natalia," she smiled wryly. "I know I can't hide from you. Do you think I'm a masochist? He hurt me, but why do I still have some affection for him?"

"Lexi, did Cal really hurt you? Apart from the time he took advantage of you when he was drunk, did he hurt you in any other way?"

Lexi thought for a moment and shook her head. "No, he's always been a gentleman, except for restricting my freedom and not letting me go out, he's always been quite respectful of me."

"There you go, Lexi. Everyone makes mistakes. I'm not involved, so I don't know what's going on between you and Cal. But I can see the love in both your eyes when you look at each other. Trust me, Lexi. When you can't see your own heart, don't run away, and don't be confused. Be brave and face it. Listen to your heart, and tell yourself what you really want," Natalia said, holding Lexi's hand. "Whatever decision you make, don't betray your own heart. As your best friend, I sincerely wish you happiness forever."

Lexi looked even more confused at Natalia's words. She hesitated for a while before saying, "Natalia, are you sure what you saw in Callum's eyes was affection for me, not the way one looks at a pet?"

Natalia couldn't help but laugh. "Lexi, do you think I, as your best friend for many years, would lie to you about this? You're a beautiful woman. How could you be a pet? And during the five years I lost my memory, I lived in Cal's castle and never saw him so humble in front of anyone."

"Really?" Lexi was still skeptical. She always felt she was just a stand-in for Callum to forget Natalia.

"It's true," Natalia assured. "Lexi, do you have any other doubts? Is it about me?"

Lexi didn't expect Natalia to see through her dilemma. She felt a bit embarrassed but thought there was no point in hiding it from Natalia, so she admitted, "Yes, Natalia, I'm afraid of being your substitute. I don't want to be anyone's substitute. I am me, not a replacement for anyone."

"Lexi, how could you possibly be a substitute?" Natalia looked at Lexi with a pleasant expression. "Cal has never been good at lying. He is always straightforward. He likes what he likes, and dislikes what he dislikes. His feelings for me are just a promise from childhood. For many years, I have been blaming myself for causing trouble for Cal and have been hoping that he can find his own happiness. And today, when I saw the look in Cal's eyes, Lexi, I knew, his happiness had arrived, and that person is you. Only you can make his eyes light up."

Lexi was flustered by Natalia's words. She sighed deeply, "Natalia, I need time to think about my relationship with Callum. Right now, I don't want to think about anything, I just want to go home and see my parents. They would be heartbroken if they knew what I've been through!"

Natalia looked at Lexi's slightly bulging belly, not sure whether to persuade her to give up this idea. Probably no parents would want their daughter to go abroad and come back pregnant, right?

"Lexi, I admit that I initially hurt you by treating you as Buttercup, but then I was completely attracted by you. Your every word and action, like a magnet, fatally attracted me. These past few days after you sneaked away, I couldn't eat or sleep well, fearing that something might happen to you. I think there's something I need to let you know. You're a thief, who has unknowingly stolen my heart!"

Callum's words made Lexi's face even redder. She wished there was a crack in the floor for her to hide in, but Callum was still bombarding her with his love words.

"Lexi, I've finally figured out my feelings for Buttercup. All along, I've considered her an irreplaceable part of my childhood, wanting to keep her by my side. But I've ignored the fact that this feeling is not love. I know I've made an unforgivable mistake towards you before. Now I sincerely ask you to give me a chance to make up for it. I'll let time prove that I really fell for you and not treat you as a substitute for anyone. Please, give me a chance, okay?" Callum suddenly knelt on one knee, waiting for Lexi's response.

"You... get up first," Lexi stuttered, her mind spinning in circles.

Callum stubbornly shook his head. "No, Lexi, I won't stand until you grant my request. Will you let me? I'd be more than happy to accompany you back home to meet your folks. They've got a wealth of experience, and they could give their opinion on whether my feelings for you are genuine, what do you say?"