The Imposter Bride by Sallie Woods

Chapter 199

Callum drove a distraught Natalia back to their castle. Once they arrived, Natalia climbed out of the car. A heavy burden was weighing on her heart. She gazed at Callum, and her voice was barely above a whisper. “Callum, did you always know that Lena was my birth mother?”

Callum nodded. “Yes, I had my men investigate and found out she was the one who left you at the orphanage. They also tracked down the midwife who delivered you and confirmed that Lena gave birth to a girl – and that girl was you.”

“So, the man who violated my mother and fathered me was Count Rowell? And Henry and Alice are my half–siblings?” Natalia’s eyes burned with anger as she stared at Callum, like a small, furious wolf.

Callum, seeing her anger, nodded reluctantly once more. “Yes, my men found out that Lena was violated by Rowell and became pregnant. And all these years, she was Rowell’s secret mistress. She was coerced into it, Buttercup!”

“No, it can’t be!” Natalia refused to believe it, covering her ears in denial. “She was violated, so how could she willingly become his mistress? This is impossible!”

“Natalia.” Callum took hold of Natalia’s hands, pulling her into his embrace. “Not everything in life happens as we want it to. More often than not, we’re helpless to change

it.”

Helpless? Natalia felt a bitter taste in her mouth. Indeed, she was conceived against her mother’s will, abandoned at the orphanage due to circumstances beyond control, and then her mother became the mistress of the man who violated her. All because she was helpless.

What a cruel joke the universe had played. Was there anything in this world worth cherishing and holding on to?

Natalia felt a bitter taste in her mouth, one that seemed to seep up from the depths of her heart. If the truth was this harsh, she would rather have remained ignorant, forever believing herself to be an abandoned child, rather than the illegitimate daughter of a shameless Count!

“Callum, I feel so tired all of a sudden. I really don’t know how to move forward from this.” Natalia’s gaze was empty as she stared at Callum, looking like a porcelain doll devoid of emotion.

would break her. He gently patted Natalia’s frail back, and his voice was filled with affection. “Natalia, don’t be sad. You still have me, right?

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silent, letting Callum comfort her. A wave of exhaustion washed over her, and soon, she fell asleep. Callum felt the sweet rhythm of Natalia’s breath against him and couldn’t resist kissing her softly. “Sleep tight, my love. No matter what hurts and

arms, reluctant to let go. After a while, he gently laid Natalia on the bed, tenderly tucking her in. Looking at Natalia’s peaceful, sleeping face, Callum bent down to kiss her hair

peeking through the windows, Natalia awoke. She stretched lazily, got up and looked out

punish herself for the mistakes of others? She had grown up

orphan? The world was vast, and there

so why would we bother

parents, but it was often the case that the more you tried to

Rita, hurried in, “Miss, there’s a

few

says her name is Lena and insists on seeing you

Lena, the woman who gave birth to her only to

go see her?” Rita

need, tell

Rita left the

not to see her, to avoid any awkwardness. Natalia thought so, but her trembling hands were betraying

Lena says she won’t leave until she sees you.

dismissively. “Never mind. I’ll

this was the woman who gave birth to her. Regardless of