The Imposter Bride by Sallie Woods

Chapter 42

A week later, Dr. Frankie arrived to check on his wound. With a soft chuckle, he remarked, “Magnus, you’ve been quite the baby these past few days. Your wound is healing quickly.”

Magnus glanced at the girl standing by his side, the corners of his mouth curving into an increasingly wide smile.

Once Dr. Frankie had left, Magnus felt no need to continue pretending. Seeing Natalia step out, he sat up, dressed, and began to stretch his legs. After a week in bed, he felt as though he was growing moldy.

Natalia walked in after a while and saw him sitting in the wheelchair. She immediately went over to him. “You’re up. Let me take you outside for some fresh air.”

She wheeled Magnus into the yard. The man’s gaze was deep, watching as she covered his knees with a blanket. He reached out and took her small hand as she crouched at his feet, looking up at him.

Over the months they had spent together, he had grown gentler, at least he had stopped lashing out at her. “Darling, you’ve taken such good care of me these past few days. I appreciate it. In a few days, once I’m home, I’ll grant you one request. As long as it’s within. my power, I’ll make it happen,” he said, looking deeply into her eyes.

She must have something she wanted to do. As long as she stayed by his side as his wife, he would do whatever it took to make her happy. She was truly beautiful when she smiled

She was silent for a moment, staring at his handsome face. “You’ll really grant any request |

make?”

“Of course, as long as it’s reasonable,” he replied.

Natalia’s heart pounded. If she asked to go back to school, would he agree? It seemed

unlikely.

“What is it, darling? What do you want to do?” Magnus asked with a soft smile.

“I want to go back to school.” Natalia blurted out.

Magnus was taken aback. He had not expected her to ask to go back to school. “You really want to go back to school?” he asked, furrowing his brows.

Seeing his change in expression, Natalia quickly laughed it off. “Just kidding, Magnus. I won’t go back to school. If one day your leg gets better and you can stand up, I’ll go back and finish my studies then. Not now.”

was dressed in a white dress, her skin was glowing, and there

student. She hadn’t graduated from college yet. From

she loved painting. She must have dreams that she had put

marry

Sapphire Island to repay

going to be his wife for the rest of

dreams?

can go back to school,” he said in

voice.

She couldn’t believe that he had agreed to her request, but he had. “You’re serious? You promise?” she asked, slowly crouching down and placing her hands on

But you have to behave. When I’m in a good mood one day, I’ll let you go back to

I’ll do whatever you ask.” Staring at her small, fair hand on his leg, the hand that had bathed him every day and sometimes touched him in places it shouldn’t, he swallowed hard. “Alright. In a couple of days, we’ll head to Melfort. We

Natalia bathed him as usual and then went to the study to read and paint. That night, Magnus wheeled himself into the bathroom. “I want to take a bath tonight. I’ve been wiped down for a week, and I want a proper bath.”

he removed his shirt.

can do. I’ve been uncomfortable for days

into the bathtub. He looked at the shorts and said, “How can you bathe with

embarrassed to scrub him every day with a body like this, let alone him getting

can I bathe with them on?” Magnus furrowed his brows, “You’ve seen it all before. There’s nothing

choice, Natalia watched as Magnus removed his shorts. She immediately moved behind him to wash his back. Magnus sat

that dirty? She had nearly

towel He watched as she

wash me

her eyes, only to be greeted by the sight of

Chapter 42

of the bathroom. Oh God, she

become

sighed and picked up a towel to wash himself. He stood up, letting

Magnus emerged from the bathroom, Natalia was nowhere to be found. He called

was downstairs, heard him and immediately went up. “You…are you

bathing?”