The Imposter Bride by Sallie Woods

Chapter 55

A sudden shout rang out from behind her, two figures converging at once to wrap her in a bone–crushing hug. “You little hellion, do you have any idea how worried we’ve been?” The first voice was choked with emotion. “We’ve been sick with worry, barely eating or sleeping. Look at us, we’re nothing but skin

and bones now!”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, cut out the dramatics, will ya?” Natalia grumbled, struggling to breathe under their enthusiastic grasp.

Their reunion was a riot of laughter and tears, drawing curious glances from their classmates. When they noticed Natalia’s return, they all came over to greet her.

“Spill it, where have you been hiding these last few months? I’ve been to your house a couple of times, but your mom wouldn’t say a word about where you were. And your sister? She avoids us like the plaque Sabrina complained, gripping Natalia’s hand tightly

The school bell interrupted them, signaling the start of class Natalia glanced at her friends, sighing deeply “It’s a long story Let’s get to class, and I’ll fill you in later”

“Deal!” They agreed, entering the classroom just as the teacher made her way to the podium.

Despite her long absence Natalia was a quick learner With a little help from Sabrina and Lexi, she was able to catch up on the lessons she had missed

Once class was over, the tro made their way to a quiet corner of the school Lexi shot Natalia a worried look, her patience wearing thin

“Do you have any idea how heartbroken Hector was after you left? He barely comes to school, and when he does, he’s hardly present

“We once saw him drowning his sorrows at the local bar He’s been a wreck without you, Natalia. We all know how deeply he cares about you”

Natalia felt a pang of guilt at their words “How is he doing now?”

“Well, he’s barely holding it together. His dad is planning on sending him to the States earlier than planned” Lexi finished, studying Natalia’s expression

closely

wave of despair wash over her. Even if she wanted to, there was no way she could continue where she and Hector left off. Her current situation was complicated, to say the least. She didn’t feel worthy of

been these past few months? You nearly scared us to

longer

worried expressions, deciding to confide in them. After all, they were her

teeth and blurting out, “I got married. I married Mr. Magnus

shock. “You’re married to Magnus, the new CEO of Andersen Corporation-

choked on her laughter, finding her friends‘ reaction amusing.

You’re married to the wheelchair heartthrob. The guy who’s been making all the girls swoon

how did you end up marrying him? You’ve broken so many hearts! We heard he’s been hiding on a secluded island for nine years before he came back to take the helm

disbelief. Were they actually envious of her

he’s not into women. Now that you’re

it work? Are you always

is he passionate with you? Their barrage of

of her relationship than the fact that she

the evening, Natalia walked out of the school gates planning to catch dinner with Sabrina and Lex. There was so

out of the vehicle. Madam, Mr. Magnus has sent the ho you up

you lucky girl! The wheelchair heartthrob sent someone to pick

felt her cheeks heating up in embarrassment Why did Magnus have

agreed not to make their marriage public to avoid

knew about

and Lex knew the truth. The rest of her classmates assumed she had been absent for a few months due to some family

the car pulled away Sabrina and Lere were still routed to the

Lex

is the married

gave her a playful smack on