The Imposter Bride by Sallie Woods

Chapter 25

Before Natalia had a chance to utter a word, she heard him address her as wife, which made her body freeze in place, her eyes fixed on him. A smirk played at the corners of his mouth, as if he was aware of the terror coursing through her right now.

Magnus simply observed her, thinking. “Little one, let’s see how long you can keep up this charade. If you’d just admit you’re not Kendra, I might consider forgiving you. After all, I don’t want my grandfather to find out about this mix–up with the Clarkson family just yet.”

If he was not mistaken, his grandfather would be furious once he found out surely blaming Lucius for his sneaky switch. But he would also insist on sending Natalia back and marrying Kendra off to him instead. But now, he didn’t want Kendra anymore He wanted Natalia, regardless of her true identity. All he knew was that she was now his woman.

No one was allowed to tamish what was his, and he certainly didn’t want his grandfather to make her life difficult. He wanted to keep her for his

own amusement

He watched as she stood there, looking helpless, and let out a soft chuckle. “Why don’t you want to go home? Tell me why, and maybe we won’t have to

He looked up at her panicked expression and reached out his hand. Caught off guard, Natalia placed her hand in his, and he gently pulled her into his embrace She looked up at his handsome face, his eyes twinkling with amusement. At what point had this man become so gentle? He wasn’t as cold as he used to be.

More importantly, this man kept insisting that she sit on his lap, and each time she did, she could feel the strength of his muscular legs, even the pulse of his veins beneath her. Before long, she could feel heat radiating from his lap If it weren’t for the fact that he was often seen in a wheelchair, she might have suspected that he was faking his disability. But every time she helped him with his rehabilitation, his legs remained devoid of sensation. With his temper, would he really allow himself to be tortured like this if he wasn’t really disabled?

She stared at him blankly, wondering how she could convince him not to take her back to the Clarkson family. But it was like trying to avoid the

inevitable

you wanted to see?” Magnus stared deeply into the girl’s pensive face. Looking at her lively appearance, he suddenly recalled a few days

wanted to take her again.

can we not go back to the Clarkson family?” she

she was scared to go home.

As for going back to see them, we can wait until you can stand on your feet again.

Even when given a chance to tell the truth, she still chose to keep quiet. He reached up to touch her smooth face, his rough fingers tracing her skin. Natalia felt a jolt of electricity at his touch, his hand carrying the faint scent of tobacco and a distinctly masculine aroma.

leaned in. He wanted to kiss her

she pushed him away and

after her in a husky voice.

amusement in his eyes. He was laughing. Oh God, she had been here for so long, and this was the first time she had seen him laugh genuinely. His smile was enchanting. his lips curled slightly, and his eyes full of

you’re just going to leave me?” he asked, feigning a hurt expression. In just a few days, he couldn’t believe how interested he had become in this girl Was it true what Chase had said, that he had been single for

returned to him, pushing his wheelchair back towards the villa. The

they entered the living room, Natalia pushed him towards the couch and then headed upstairs. Magnus watched as

dinner, Magnus was taken

eerily quiet at night, but the villa was massive, spanning several miles. The staff lived on the first floor at the back, while Linden and May lived on the first floor at the front. The second floor was Magnus and Natalia’s

night like the one before, when a stranger had choked her unconscious and taken advantage of her. It was another stormy night, and all she could do was sit on her

of thunderstorms. She stared out the window at the beach, knowing that any car that returned would be Magnus. As long as

tired she could barely keep her eyes open. It was only then that