Chapter 4

Sabrina quickly handed the box to Natalia. “Here you go.” She then turned around and glared at Hector, feigning anger “Hey why the favoritism? Why does Natalia get cookies and we don’t?” Sabrina’s short, wavy hair bounced as she stared at Hector with her twinkling eyes.-

Hector watched as Natalia took the box and put it in her backpack, his heart filled with joy as she smiled up at him. He affectionately took Natalia’s hand, then turned back to Sabrina, “When you find your Mr. Right, he’ll be the one to give you cookies”

“Ugh, could you not flaunt your relationship so blatantly? Lexi pretended to grumble Ignoring the playful banter, Hector took Natalia by the hand and left the front gate of the school, “Come on, Natalia, I’ll walk you home”

“Hector, you don’t have to Don’t you have basketball practice? We have a game next week Natalia blushed as Hector pulled her along.

“Practice isn’t as important as walking you home. Natalia, I’ll be graduating in a year When you graduate, do you want to join me?”

The six–foot two Hector was the dream boy of every girl in their school, but he only had eyes for Natalia. Ever since she stepped foot into the school a year ago, he had been pursuing her relentlessly.

Six months later, Natalia finally reciprocated his feelings and agreed to be his girlfriend From then on, the two began a passionate romance in school. Due to jealousy, the other girls refused to talk to Natalia, only Lexi and Sabrina remained her close friends.

The three of them swore to be sisters for life, sharing both the good times and the bad.

Hector and Natalia laughed and chatted as they reached the front door of the Clarkson family home.

“Go on in, Natalia. See you tomorrow” Hector leaned down to give Natalia a quick peck on the forehead.

Natalia watched as Hector shouldered his backpack and walked away, his smile as bright as the sunshine. A sweetness filled her heart, a feeling she hadn’t felt before she met him. Take care, Hector.”

She waved at him, “See you tomorrow!”

Seeing Natalia enter the house, Hector finally turned and left.

As Natalia walked in, she saw her mother and sister sitting on the couch. She greeted them, “I’m home”

Just as she was about to head upstairs to do her homework, Addison called out, “Natalia, come here. I have something to discuss with you.”

Natalia put down her backpack and took a seat opposite Addison, who was looking at her with a calculating gaze. “Natalia, how long have you been living in this house? How do you feel about living here?” Addison asked, her eyes never leaving Natalia’s face. Natalia’s beauty only intensified Addison’s jealousy and hatred.

“I’ve been here for fifteen years. I feel good about living here, Mom.” Natalia replied, her big, blue eyes shining as bright as the stars in the sky.

Addison glared at her, “You’re lying! You’ve obviously been struggling in this house, yet you say you’re doing well. Natalia, there is a good opportunity waiting for you. You can leave this house and live a better life.”

Hearing that she might have had to leave her home, Natalia gripped the edge of the couch tightly.

“Mom, I only have two more years until graduation. After I graduate. I plan to find a job and leave”

She had plans to finish college, then Hector said he would take her to the States. But that was two years away, and she couldn’t leave now.

“Natalia, let me tell you, you don’t have to wait two years. Your father and I have decided to marry you off to the Andersen family. You will be the future Mrs. Andersen! This way, you will no longer have to live a difficult life”

Addison said, her face expressionless. Next to her, Kendra’s face was filled with disdain..

“The Andersen family? Isn’t Kendra supposed to marry into the Andersen family?” Natalia asked, taken aback.

“Yes, originally, Kendra was the one to be married off, but she has kindly given up this wonderful marriage to you. You will replace Kendra as the bride, and you will become Mrs Andersen Addison feigned a sorrowful expression.

“No, Mom, Kendra is the one the Andersen family wants to marry Natalia was confused and anxious.

What did they plan for her?

“Natalia, it’s final. You have to marry whether you like it or not,” Kendra finally spoke up. “Can you hear me? This wonderful marriage was given to you by me, so you should be grateful In one week, it will be the day the Andersen family is expecting their bride, so prepare yourself, Mrs. Andersen!”

Natalia sat there in shock, watching Kendra’s retreating figure ascend the stairs.

“Natalia, since Kendra doesn’t want to get married, you should take her place. For the sake of us raising you, don’t resist. And don’t tell your father about refusing this marriage.” Addison said, standing up “Mom, the Andersen family wants to marry Kendra, not me. I still need to go to school, and besides, Kendra and Mr. Lucius Andersen are in love.” Natalia had long known that Kendra and Lucius were a couple “You’re set to marry Mr. Magnus, remember that. No school for you tomorrow, take these few days to prepare yourself.” Having said that, Addison turned and left the living room.

Mr Magnus? Who was Mr. Magnus? Rumor had it there was a disabled man living on the Andersen family’s Sapphire Island, the elusive Mr Magnus of the Andersen family. She had never met this Mr.

Magnus hidden on Sapphire Island.

No, no, how could she possibly be marrying Mr. Magnus? What was going on? She had to wait for her father to return and clarify things.

Why? Why was she kept in the dark about all this? She hadn’t been in control of her life since she was five. She had Hector now. She had just started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Were they trying to push her into another life?

She grabbed a quick bite in the kitchen, then sat in the living room waiting for Kyler It was nine in the evening when Kyler finally walked through the front door, noticing Natalia on the couch. His brow furrowed. “Nat, why are you still awake?”

Natalia stood up, taking the bag from Kyler’s hand, and setting it on the couch. “Dad, I’ve been waiting for you to come home‘

“Uh–huh, what’s up?” Kyler sat next to his daughter, looking at the despondent girl He reached out to stroke her hair “Dad, Mom said I’m supposed to marry Magnus. Is that true? Her eyes sparkled even brighter under the dim light Kyler paused, lowering his gaze “Don’t listen to your mother. It’s your sister who’s meant to marry him, not you. You just focus on school”