The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

Chapter 412

As the image flashed through Hector's mind, he instinctively reached out with a clumsy hand to wipe away a tear that had escaped the corner of Natalia's eye. "Hey, don't cry," he mumbled gruffly.

But his words only made Natalia cry harder. Her shoulders shook with sobs, and she buried her face in her hands, weeping inconsolably. It struck her that regardless of Hector's memory loss, she had always been the one he cared for most.

Hector was at a loss now, and his hands were hanging in the air. He was unsure whether to pull the weeping girl into his arms to comfort her.

Magnus had been driving smoothly until he caught a glimpse in the rearview mirror of Hector tenderly wiping away Natalia's tears, with the focus and intensity of a lover.

This sparked his irritation. He pulled the car over with purpose and twisted in his seat. He swatted Hector's hand away from Natalia. "Don't touch my wife," he declared sternly.

With that, Magnus stepped out of the car, scooped up the still-crying Natalia, and placed her gently in the passenger seat before driving off again.

Magnus moved so swiftly that Hector and Natalia barely had time to process what had happened before they were back on the road.

Watching Magnus' stern face, Hector was suddenly overwhelmed with the sensation of having his wife stolen from him and being cast out to fend for himself in a foreign land.

Anagging certainty crept into his mind. He was the last person Magnus wanted around.

Fleeting images flickered through Hector's consciousness. He saw Magnus glaring at him with rage and heard the shouts promising a thorough showdown. And there was Magnus, gripping his hand tightly, shouting, "Be a man, and survive! I'm giving you a fair shot."

Hector looked down at his hands, confused. Although unsure if the visions were real, one thing was clear. To Magnus, Natalia was off-limits, his possession, not to be coveted by anyone. It seemed he had married Natalia and never given Hector that fair chance after all.

Lost in thought, Hector sat silently, head bowed.

Meanwhile, Natalia's soft sobs continued, torn between joy at Hector's phoenix-like return and the pain of seeing the unfamiliarity in his eyes. He was the Hector she knew, the boy with the eternally sweet smile. But why did his gaze now carry such a chilling coldness?

Magnus drove on, his face a mask of tension, internally chaotic as he, too, sensed the shift in Hector's gaze. They reached Natalia's three-story house in silence. Magnus parked and, ever considerate, opened the car door for Natalia, reminding her, "Take it easy."

But Natalia, in her haste, helped Hector out instead, offering her hand. "Here, let me help you out. Take it slow. You're still healing."

Magnus, feeling slighted, moved Natalia aside roughly. "You can't support him. I've got this." With a firm grip, he helped Hector out of the car and guided him towards the house.

Natalia fumbled with the keys, ushering Hector inside. "Come on, sit on the couch and rest."

Once inside, Magnus seated Hector on the couch and turned to Natalia. "You've been running around too. Sit down and take a break."

"It's okay. I'll take care of Hector. | can't imagine what he's been through to get so thin," Natalia said, her voice wavering with repressed tears. "Are you in pain? Hungry? Thirsty? I'll get you something.”

Hector softened at Natalia's concern and Magnus' scowl. Like a vessel adrift for too long, finally finding harbor, he felt a sense of peace settling in his heart.

"My leg's fine, and I'm not hungry or thirsty right now, so there's no rush," Hector said earnestly, looking directly at Natalia. "Can you just sit here with me, let me take a good look at you, and tell me our story?"

Natalia's heart clenched. What had Hector endured? How had he survived the treacherous waters as wounded as he was? But those thoughts were secondary. He was alive and back; that was what mattered.

"Okay," she agreed, nodding. "The stories you've forgotten, I'll share them with you."

But before Natalia could recount their shared history, Magnus pointed at Hector and said flatly, "There's nothing to tell. You're my uncle's son, my cousin. And she," he gestured to Natalia, "is my woman, your cousin-in-law. We're family. Just remember that, and don't make a fool of yourself."

Magnus' message was clear. Hector had no chance and shouldn't harbor any hopes for Natalia.

Natalia understood the unspoken words perfectly. She shot Magnus a withering look, then softly told Hector, "Don't mind him; he always speaks out of turn. But yes, | am his wife, your cousin-in-law."

NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

Her confirmation delighted Magnus, who beamed triumphantly, yet shattered Hector’ 1SntcSa hen REVS 19) €\ Gath at Natalia's radiant face, Hector heard the sound of his heart tearing, and a bitter smile twisted his lips. Please read the original content at NovelDrama.Org.

So, she was his cousin-in-law! The irony wasn't lost on him. His feelings for her, how utterly ridiculous they must have seemed!

"Hector, you feeling alright, man? You're looking kinda pale," Natali eyed Hector wi gneett, roeerete Kantirg toYether in worry. "Is it that gunshot wound acting up? Should we take you to the hospital?" Please read the original content at NovelDrama.Org.

Hector shook his head, trying to muster a reassuring smile. "No, no, I'm good. Just a bit parched, that's all." Natalia was on her feet in an instant, decisive. "Alright, I'll get you some water."

Without waiting for a response, she made up her mind for him. "You're still recovering. Forget about soda or anything fancy. Plain old H20 will do the trick. I'll be right back with it."

As Natalia attended to Hector with meticulous care, Magnus piped in with a hint of jealousy in his voice. "Hey, | could use a drink too, you know."

Natalia shot Magnus a glance that could freeze coffee. "You've got hands and feet, help yourself!"

With that, she turned to fetch Hector his glass of water. Despite her s retort to Magnus-sheccbtlart he p buy fila esr glass for him as well. Her actions, as always, spoke louder than her playful scolding. Please read the original content at NovelDrama.Org.