Chapter 164

For the next week, Magnus and Natalia coexisted peacefully without any conflicts. Natalia went to school in the mornings, and Magnus would return only after she had finished her evening studies and gone to bed.

One afternoon, after waving goodbye to her friend Lexi, Natalia was preparing to head back home to study. Graduation was only a few months away. As she stepped out of the school gates, a sleek, black Bugatti was parked by the curb. She glanced at it and left directly from the side of the car. As she was getting close to Maplewood Manor, the car slowly stopped in front of her.

Callum opened the car door, staring at her with surprise. “Buttercup,” he exclaimed, “I’ve found your mom!”

Taken aback, Natalia squinted up at the tall figure blocking the sunlight. He said he had found her mom!

“Mr. Callum, you really found my mom? Where is she?” Despite her mother’s lack of affection towards her, the chance to see her face in this lifetime would be worth it.

“She’s in England, Buttercup Your mother misses you. She had her reasons for leaving, but she’ll explain everything to you. Come with me. She’s waiting for you Callum reached out to hold Natalia’s hand.

As he watched the girl in front of him, he noticed that she had lost weight over the past week. She didn’t look happy.

In that moment, he felt the overwhelming desire to hold her and protect her from the world. He remembered looking into her blue eyes, promising himself that he would marry her someday.

Natalia, visibly shaken by the news, didn’t even realize that her hands were tightly held by Callum.

Isabella, who happened to be passing by, saw this and quickly snapped a picture of the intimate scene on her phone. A smirk spread across her face. “Magnus,” she thought, “your wife is cheating on you.”

“My mom, is she doing well? Why didn’t she come to see me? Does she not like me?” Natalia had been longing for her mother’s love since she was a child The news that her mother had been found made her forget everything else.

“She misses you, Buttercup There’s a secret about her life in England, and the reason she couldn’t come to see you is because the timing wasn’t right. Come with me, and you can meet her, Callum said, his desperation evident.

Natalia was first taken aback, then she lowered her head Magnus wouldn’t let her leave. She knew she couldn’t escape his grasp.

“I’m about to graduate. After that, I’ll go to see my mom” By then, she could leave Melfort Magnus wouldn’t have a reason to stop her.

“Okay, I’ll wait for you, no matter how long it takes, Callum said, staring at her thoughtfully. He wanted to hold her, she was so thin it was heart–wrenching.

“Have you gotten married? Is he good to you?” Callum’s gaze was as intense as a flame.

“Yes, Natalia murmured before looking down “You don’t seem happy, Buttercup Come with me. You were my fiancée 15 years ago,” Callum said, then pulling out a pendant from his pocket. This pendant can prove it. You were my fiancée 15 years ago. All you have to do is agree to come with me, and I’ll take you away from here.” Callum grabbed her hand again.

Natalia was speechless. How could she be his fiancée? She had no memory of such a thing. She was a child 15 years ago.

“Mr. Callum, I’m sorry I’m already married, and my husband is good to me. Thank you for finding my mom. As for this pendant, it should be yours. I cant keep something that doesn’t belong to me.” She had only thought of Callum as a childhood companion, and she hadn’t realized he was using it to stake a claim on her “No, it’s yours. I gave it to you 15 years ago. Buttercup, you are the rightful owner of this pendant He said, pushing the pendant into her hand before turning to get back in the car Tll come back, Natalia Take good care of yourself”

The car disappeared from sight, leaving Natalia standing there, holding the pendant and staring off into the distance.

Back at Maplewood Manor, Natalia sat in the dimly lit study, with a book on her lap. Her mind was filled with thoughts about her mother. What was she doing in England? What was her secret?

She suddenly realized that Kyler must know something. Her mother had entrusted her to Kyler, and he must know what happened By the time Magnus returned, Natalia had fallen asleep in her chair Upon seeing the empty bedroom, Magnus felt a rush of panic. He quickly pushed open the door to the study and found Natalia asleep in a chair, curled up like a kitten He walked over and gently picked her up. Her body felt cold, and he felt a pang of displeasure. This girl was always causing him worry Natalia mumbled in her sleep as she was lifted into a warm embrace ‘Mom‘ she murmured, with a small smile on her face Magnus carried her into their bedroom and gently placed her on the bed. His heart ached for her “Sweetheart,” he promised, “I’ll help you find your mom‘

He fetched his pajamas and went to the bathroom to take a shower. When he came back, he slipped into bed next to her. He gulled her close, savoring the familiar scent of her skin. His body responded to her proximity, and he found himself craving for her. He hadn’t had sex with her in what felt like forever After their last encounter, he didn’t dare to upset her again But the past few nights, he had been tormented by the desire to be with her He kissed her gently careful not to wake her. His desire for her was overwhelming, and he found it increasingly difficult to control himself. He kissed her again, this time more passionately.

Natalia stirred in her sleep, pushing him away with a small moan Pleading with her, Magnus said, “Honey, please. I miss you” His voice was thick with desire, his boner pressed tightly against her abdomen.

With that, he quickly undressed her and began to shower her with kisses, all the while whispering words of love and desire into her ear.

Natalia felt as though a boulder was crushing her chest, stealing her breath away. She snapped her eyes open, only to find Magnus looming over her, his intentions clear. With a jolt of fear, she shoved him away. “Magnus…

“Baby,” he said, his voice thick with desire, “It’s been a while.” He moved to spread her legs apart.

Images of Magnus with Isabella, and the night he forced himself onto her, flashed in Natalia’s mind, and she pushed him away even harder. “Magnus, I don’t want…”

He looked at her, and his irritation flared into full–blown anger She didn’t want him. She didn’t miss him.

Just then, the phone on the bedside table lit up. It was Magnus He grabbed it and was instantly met with a picture of Callum and Natalia, their hands entwined, staring deeply into each other’s eyes.