The Imposter Bride by Sallie Woods

Chapter 6

Natalia closed her eyes. Hadn’t Morgan claimed to adore Mr. Magnus? Yet here she was, being shipped off to Sapphire Island

No wedding and no ceremony. But then again, she was merely a stand–in, A ceremony would be meaningless anyway.

Was she going to take care of Mr. Magnus? As if he lacked caretakers.

She opened her eyes and glanced at the man in the sult next to her. “Where are we going?”

The suited man replied respectfully. “Ma’am, we’re headed to Sapphire Island. Mr. Magnus requested to skip the wedding and honeymoon, so you’ll be moving directly onto the island.*

Natalia merely nodded. It wasn’t her wedding to begin with Why would she be bothered about the ceremony?

After about an hour, the car finally came to a halt. Natalia opened her eyes to see an endless beach, an island, and a three story mansion surrounded by the sea on three sides, with a forest in the back. The only access was a single road leading to the mansion

The suited chauffeur opened the door for her, and Natalia stepped out, inhaling the fresh, salty air. She looked up to see a lush garden, plants bursting with vibrant colors. She stared blankly at the endless blue sea, the waves lapping at the sand

Her mind suddenly went blank. She was going to live here, in this strange place, for six months!

As she looked up, she saw a line of servants standing at the entrance of the mansion. Five men and five women, standing respectfully, all greeting in unison, “Welcome, Ma’am! We wish you and Mr. Magnus a happy marriage and a lifetime of happiness!”

This display startled Natalia. It felt like a welcoming fit for a king.

furniture On the wall opposite the living

banner!

her, “Ma’am, dinner is ready”

elevator nearby opened. A middle–aged man pushing a wheelchair

put on a smile, “Ma’am, you must be tired I am Linden, the butler.”

the wheelchair. He had a stunning face with a hint of aloofness, his dark eyes as cold as ice. This was Mr. Magnus, the man she’d heard so much about. He

it was that such

and beautiful as

own pace, ignoring Natalia as if she

followed him to the dining table. She watched as he gracefully scooped soup into his bowl and began

eating. She

but didn’t look up

she heard his tone of mild anger, “This is all I have. If you don’t want

left the room, moving straight

just happened. The servants began clearing the table.

in protest She had been busy all day and hadn’t had a

his guest, no, she was his wife! He didn’t even talk to

as well make the best of

to laugh, she grabbed the food that hadn’t been

in his bedroom, Magnus sat on the balcony, his face expressionless. “Did she eat?”

and not picky

she even ate the simple meal he had prepared. He had intentionally arranged for a simple meal to see how she would react. But she didn’t complain and

have thrown a tantrum or gotten angry. She must be putting on