Chapter 326

Magnus had journeyed far and wide, seeking Natalia’s whereabouts. He tirelessly searched city after city, gazing at the neon streetlights at night, hoping to spot a familiar silhouette. However, no matter how fervently he yearned, there was no trace of Natalia.

Returning to Melfort, he opened the door of the villa and was greeted by the wide–eyed gaze of little Jonas. The boy plunged into his arms, murmuring. “Daddy, if you can’t find Mommy, please can take a break. She must be watching us from a corner somewhere, quietly. Don’t be sad, Daddy You still have me.”

Tears welled up in Magnus‘ eyes. He could no longer hold back his sorrow, and the father and son embraced, consumed by their shared pain.

At night, Magnus would clutch Natalia’s nightgown as he slept. Her scent was no longer there, but it was the only way he could fall asleep.

Each time Magnus looked into Jonas deep blue eyes, he was reminded of his wife. He pleaded to the heavens, “God, please don’t be so cruel. Let me find her I can’t live without her!”

A year later, in the eternal city of Rome.

Rome, one of the cradles of world culture, was nestled in the heart of Italy. With its ancient city to the north and its modern metropolis to the south, Rome was a city that had risen from the ashes time and again, boasting breathtaking architecture and artistic masterpieces On the square in front of the Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, pigeons ambled leisurely. At the same time, a weary–looking street musician sat on a bench, lost in his music and indifferent to the world around him.

These artists made a living by painting and playing music for tourists. Some were unsung talents, some were drifters, and others simply enjoyed the lifestyle. For varying reasons, they led similar lives of wandering.

Among them, the most popular was a man. Unlike his fellow street artists, he was tall and slim, and always well–groomed. But his face bore a permanent look of melancholy. This man was none other than the long–lost Hector Cood.

Ever since Natalia had supposedly died in a car crash six years ago, Hector had been in a state of despair.

At that time, he was studying at Harvard University in the United States. His grief was so overwhelming that he made a mistake during an experiment, causing a violent explosion in the lab. Consequently, the university asked him to leave, hoping he would recover emotionally before resuming his studies.

However, after losing Natalia, Hector was a mere shell of his former self. His life felt meaningless. He packed his bags and embarked on a nomadic journey Hector aimlessly roamed in foreign lands. Every time he arrived at an unfamiliar sight, he would pull out the photo of Natalia he had hidden away. allowing her to see the scenery around him, then an endless regret would well up in his heart.

He deeply regretted his cowardice. If he had been braver back then, and taken Natalia away from Magnus in time, how could she have possibly drowned at sea?

Or, if he had made his strong attitude clear from the start, stop her from serving as a damn substitute bride and becoming Magnus wife, how could she have passed away so prematurely?!

And so, Hector vented his desperately needing to be saved soul in the boundless foreign forget his love for Natalia nds. But no matter where he went, he still couldn’t He couldn’t accept it, that the purest and kindest girl with the sweetest, most innocent smile, had permanently left him!

His wanderings led him to Rome, where the picturesque scenery compelled him to stay. Here, he picked up his long–forgotten paintbrush, channeling his thoughts and emotions into vibrant hues of pastel and purple.

His paintings stirred a commotion among the Romans, causing a scramble for his works. They were enamored with Hector’s art, especially the sweet smiling woman featured in every piece.

The woman was none other than Natalia, the object of Hector’s constant thoughts and longing What he didn’t know was that when God closed a door, he opened a window But the timing wasn’t right yet A year ago, Natalia had taken an oath on her beloved son Jonas because of Belle’s coercion and ended up in Italy She lived under a pseudonym, enjoying the scenery and historical sites. The rich history permeating the air helped Natalia momentarily forget her heartache She found a job as a fashion designer at Stitches Fashion The company was on the verge of bankruptcy due to outdated clothing designs. However, Natalia’s innovative designs completely transformed the company’s outdated philosophy Under her guidance, Stitches Fashion gradually made its way onto the international stage from being an unknown small business Natalia had a busy year. Her longing for Magnus and little Jonas was channeled into her design work.

Her full commitment was rewarded with steady progress in Stitches Fashion Every stride the company made bore the mark of Natalia’s tireless efforts The owner of Stitches Fashion was extremely grateful to Natalia for saving the company’s fate. He had offered her shares in the firm on several occasions, only to be gently turned down every time.