The Imposter Bride by Sallie Woods

Chapter 6

Natalia closed her eyes. Hadn’t Morgan claimed to adore Mr. Magnus? Yet here she was, being shipped off to Sapphire Island

No wedding and no ceremony. But then again, she was merely a stand–in, A ceremony would be meaningless anyway.

Was she going to take care of Mr. Magnus? As if he lacked caretakers.

She opened her eyes and glanced at the man in the sult next to her. “Where are we going?”

The suited man replied respectfully. “Ma’am, we’re headed to Sapphire Island. Mr. Magnus requested to skip the wedding and honeymoon, so you’ll be moving directly onto the island.*

Natalia merely nodded. It wasn’t her wedding to begin with Why would she be bothered about the ceremony?

After about an hour, the car finally came to a halt. Natalia opened her eyes to see an endless beach, an island, and a three story mansion surrounded by the sea on three sides, with a forest in the back. The only access was a single road leading to the mansion

The suited chauffeur opened the door for her, and Natalia stepped out, inhaling the fresh, salty air. She looked up to see a lush garden, plants bursting with vibrant colors. She stared blankly at the endless blue sea, the waves lapping at the sand

Her mind suddenly went blank. She was going to live here, in this strange place, for six months!

As she looked up, she saw a line of servants standing at the entrance of the mansion. Five men and five women, standing respectfully, all greeting in unison, “Welcome, Ma’am! We wish you and Mr. Magnus a happy marriage and a lifetime of happiness!”

This display startled Natalia. It felt like a welcoming fit for a king.

living room was luxuriously decorated with neat furniture On the wall

banner!

approached her, “Ma’am, dinner is ready”

to move when the elevator nearby opened. A middle–aged man pushing a

put on a smile, “Ma’am, you must be tired I

face with a hint of aloofness, his dark eyes as cold as ice. This was Mr. Magnus, the man she’d heard so much about.

him, thinking how unfair it was that such a

as pure and beautiful

his own pace, ignoring Natalia

ultimately followed him to the dining table. She watched as he

him quietly, not eating. She didn’t know what to

but didn’t look up

deep voice made Natalia flinch. Then she heard his tone of mild anger, “This is all I have. If you don’t want to eat, you’ll

his mouth with a napkin, he left the room,

had just happened. The servants began clearing the table. “Wait… I haven’t finished eating yet,” she murmured. She hadn’t said she didn’t want to eat.

protest She had been busy all day and hadn’t had

she was his guest, no, she was

She might as well make the best of it. She couldn’t starve to death, could she?

watchful eyes of the servants and Linden, who were struggling not to laugh, she

Magnus sat on the balcony, his face expressionless. “Did she eat?” His low voice echoed in the quiet

nice. She’s pretty and not picky about food. After you

the simple meal he had prepared. He had intentionally arranged for

a tantrum or gotten