The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 496

Thank goodness Gabby was staying in Grant's cozy and opulent mansion. Despite the central heating cranked up high, she still felt a bone-chilling cold seeping through her.

Her hands and feet felt frozen stiff, and even the warmth that lingered in her chest seemed to be slowly slipping away.

Trembling, she caressed her swollen belly. Her heart was filled with unease because, for the past few days, she had distinctly stopped feeling the baby's movements.

Gabby weakly exhaled as a foreboding feeling washed over her. She thought she might not make it through the winter.

Struggling, she lifted her head to glance at the gloomy skies outside and pressed the call button on her bedside—a special installation by Grant so that he could rush to her side at a moment's notice.

And true to its purpose, as the bell's echo faded, Grant appeared in the doorway of the mansion, his eyes filled with urgency. "Honey, are you feeling alright?"

Gabby shook her head weakly and managed to say, "I... I want to see... see Anna. Please let me... see her."

Grant was puzzled; Anna had visited Gabby just that morning. But without questioning further, his current priority was to fulfill any request Gabby made.

He gestured to the housekeeper standing by the door to fetch Anna, who was outside playing with Johanson, and then turned back to Gabby with a tender look. "Alright, just give it a moment, and Anna will be brought here."

"Okay," Gabby murmured, her gaze falling faintly on Grant. "I think... I might be leaving... in a day or two."

Grant's face turned ashen. Although the doctors had warned that Gabby's health was critically failing and she could pass away at any time, facing the reality of the situation was still a gut-wrenching blow. He had never been a saint, and human life had often meant little to him, but this woman had taught him the true agony of parting with a loved one.

Gabby's feeble voice continued, "Grant, if... if I don't make it, please... cut open my belly and save... save the baby."

"No! No!" Grant shook his head vehemently, unable to comprehend how Gabby, barely clinging to life, could muster such a morbid request.

Gabby looked at him earnestly. "My body... it's been broken for so long, surviving on sheer will. Don't let... my last hope... be shattered."

Grant couldn't articulate the turmoil inside him, but he couldn't bear to hear any more of Gabby's interrupted speech. "Don't talk like that now. Let's wait until you're better, and then we can discuss the baby."

Gabby shook her head faintly. "No... there's no time... I can feel it... Call the doctor... for a shot of adrenaline."

The doctor, whom Grant had dragged to her side, checked Gabby's condition and whispered to Grant, "She really doesn't have much time left... she could go at any moment."

"Then what are you waiting for?! Go give her the medicine, now!" Grant bellowed, as if trying to vent his inner turmoil.

But she knew her time was running out, and the moment to say goodbye had come.

Holding Anna close, she kissed her forehead and whispered, "Anna, I have to go away for a little while soon. Be good at home, and listen to Uncle Grant and Johanson, okay?"

"Go away? Where are you going, Mommy?" Anna's smile vanished, replaced by a look of hurt. "Mommy, no matter where you go, can you take me with you, please? Don't leave me alone, okay?"

Seeing her daughter's dependence, Gabby's heart broke, and tears were already pooling in her eyes. She so desperately wanted more time with Anna, but it was too late.

Gabby motioned for Johanson to come closer and looked at him with a plea in her eyes. "Johanson, I know you're a kind and steady boy. I'm entrusting Anna to you. Could you look after her for me?"

Johanson was never much of a talker. He liked playing with little Annie but always kept his distance from Gabby. So when she reached out for him, desperate for his promise to take care of Annie, he stayed quiet, his stance unyielding.

Gabby's urgency flared; she stretched out her hand, trying to grasp Johanson's, pleading with him to look after her precious girl. But whether it was the force of her gesture or the last of her strength giving way, Gabby suddenly sat bolt upright. A torrent of blood poured from her lips, spewing a ghastly stream of crimson life.

The sight of blood, thick with the stench of iron, terrified Annie, who was still in Gabby's embrace, and stunned Grant, who stood by the bedside. But with a composure beyond his years, Johanson merely looked on coldly. His words sliced through the heavy air with chilling clarity. "You're not just leaving, Gabby. You're dying, aren't you?"