Chapter 56

He gently swept the strands of hair from her face, tucking them behind her ear, and affectionately leaned down to kiss her forehead.

Natalia was at a loss for words. She wasn’t his daughter, so why was he treating her like a child?

“Tell me, darling, can you keep up with the schoolwork? It’s been a few months since you’ve been at it.”

Magnus had intended to kiss her, but seeing her apparently wanting to say something, he casually asked instead.

“Of course, I can. I’m smart, remember? Natalia responded with a laugh. Her radiant face lit up with her sparkling blue eyes.

Magnus adored her like this. He lifted her into his lap. “Is that so? You’re that smart?” He chuckled before leaning in for a kiss.

He spent the whole day at the office thinking about her, wondering how she was managing in school.

He came home before five, not finding her in their quiet villa. He immediately had Linden, their driver, pick her up from school.

Now she was back, in his arms, and he couldn’t resist her, leaning in for another kiss. Her scent intoxicated him, making his blood rush. His desire was palpable every time he was near her, a feeling he had never experienced with his first love.

After they broke off the kiss, Natalia melted into his embrace, her blushing face as red as an apple. She gently pushed him away. “Magnus I need to talk to you Please not like this”

With his lips trailing down her neck, inhaling her unique scent, he closed his eyes. “Tell me, what is it?”

His voice was laced with desire “I can go to and from school by myself I don’t want to be picked up and dropped off anymore. If my classmates see..” She pushed him away and sat down on the sofa.

“See what?”

“They might think I’m your sugar baby!” As soon as Natalia said this, Magnus broke out in a low chuckle. “Then tell them you’re my wife. That should clear things up”

“No matter what, I don’t want to be chauffeured” Her pouting face was adorable, which made Magnus heart flutter.

“Alright, you can go to school by yourself,” he said, running his fingers through her hair “I’m going to France tomorrow. You’ll be fine here. Linden will take care of you at home, so you don’t have to come with me this time,” Magnus spoke casually “Let Linden go with you. I can take care of myself You need Linden more than I do.”

“I’ll be fine with just Paul. Remember, after school, come straight home Don’t wander around, okay?”

He had important business to handle. Having just taken over the company, there were many things he needed to deal with personally. He wanted to bring over a team of professionals from France Facing hostility from his peers, he needed to cultivate his own team. Lucius was hell–bent on dethroning him, so he couldn’t let his guard down “You’ll be gone for a week?” Natalia didn’t say more. She knew he would arrange everything for her. It was pointless to worry.

“Yeah, I’ll try to get back as soon as possible, a week at the most. Darling, are you going to miss me?”

He teased, leaning his handsome face close to hers No. just take care of yourself. You should let Linden go with you.” Natalia was always concerned, as Linden had become habitual in taking care of him. “No worries, darling, let’s have dinner. After that, help me pack. My flight is at seven tomorrow morning.”

“Alright”

That night, Magnus showered Natalia with all the affection he could muster. He wanted to take her with him, realizing he couldn’t do without her emotionally or physically Out of breath, he held her in his arms. Her body was damp with perspiration. “Darling, do you feel good?”

Natalia was tongue–tied and too embarrassed to respond “I’m leaving tomorrow, and it will be a while before I see you again. Behave yourself, darling Wait for me,” he whispered, kissing her hair “Mhm. “Natalia was too tired to keep her eyes open. She fell asleep, only to be awakened in the middle of the night by him thrusting into her agai Natalia was speechless Wasn’t this man supposed to be physically impaired? Why was he so virile, it was frightening Still half–asleep, she felt him carrying her into the bathroom. She blinked, thinking she was dreaming But sogn, she fell back into a deep slumber.

The next day. Natalia woke up to find that Magnus had already left for France He had left a message on her phone (Darling, I’ve left Jumping out of bed, she realized she was too sore to move She had wanted to see him off at the airport but hadn’t had the chance Well, Magnus was despicable, having exhausted her to the point of complete fatigue the previous night At eight, Natalia went to school, but as soon as she entered the school gates, she felt a pair of eyes on her She turned around to find Hector standing behind her, staring at her blankly Her mouth hung open as she took in his haggard appearance. His hair was a mess, and his clothes were disheveled, looking like a street thug He slowly walked up to her His eyes were bloodshot and lips were cracked “Natalia. is that you?”

“Yes, Hector, are you okay?” Natalia felt tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at him “Is it really you? Natalia.. I’m not okay.” He suddenly threw his arms around Natalia, holding her tightly.

Nat, where have you been? You have no idea how hard I’ve searched for you. You’re finally back”

Hector held Natalia as if she were a lost child who had Spally found her mother.

him away, but Hector immediately let go of her, taking her hand and leading her out of the school. “Nat, come with me i need to talk was flabbergasted. Shouldn’t she be in class? But this gave her a chance to clarify things, to let him know she couldn’t promise him anything anymore.

Hector led Natalia out of the school gates, where his car was still parked. He walked over, opened the car door, asked the driver to take a taxi home, and decided to drive himself.

“Mr. Cood, your father is waiting for you at home. You have a flight at two in the afternoon.” The driver reminded him.

“Go home and tell my father that I’m not going to America for the time being. I’ll wait until after graduation.”

After saying this, he pulled Natalia into the car, started it, and drove away, leaving the Cood family driver standing there, shaking his head, and chuckling Hector drove straight to the seaside with Natalia. On the sandy beach, he slammed on the brakes, unbuckled his seatbelt, and turned to look at Natalia with an intense gaze.

“Natalia, you’re really back, it’s really you. Let me take a good look at you. God, how I’ve missed you, Natalia His eyes, worn and haunted, glistened with unshed tears A sharp pang of pain struck Natalia’s heart. After all, Hector was the first boy she had ever fallen for Back then, he was like a ray of sunshine in her life, illuminating her otherwise dull world.