The Imposter Bride by Sallie Woods

Chapter 23

On the third day, Magnus couldn’t restrain his curiosity any longer. He just had to find out what this young woman was up to. Since she had agreed to be his bride, she had to understand the consequences.

Especially if she was going to make such a fuss over a simple one night stand

The sharp knock at the door interrupted Natalia’s thoughts She rose from her chair and opened the door to find one of the housekeepers standing there

“Ma’am,” the housekeeper said, looking at her with a hint of surprise. “Mr. Magnus requests your presence in his study”

Natalie nodded, “Alright, I’m on my way”

After taking a quick shower and getting dressed, Natalia headed towards the study As she pushed the door open, she saw Magnus sitting in his wheelchair by the floor–to–ceiling windows, gazing out at the ocean, deep in thought.

Natalia walked in quietly. He turned his wheelchair around as soon as he felt her presence. As their eyes met, a wave of emotion passed over his face before quickly settling back into a stoic expression. She had got quite thinner

Without another word, Magnus directed his wheelchair towards her. His gazes were as deep as the ocean, but his body radiated an inexplicable exhaustion Natalia’s heart clenched as she remembered the night before. Was it him that night? Why did he do that to her?

physical therapy Before she could finish, Magnus

his chair out of the

are there any other people on this island besides Linden and you? Well, I mean, other men?” Natalia had so much resentment in her heart, and she had

was indeed ‘no, because on this island, apart from Magnus and Linden, there were only female

he said in a matter–of–fact tone with no warmth, like giving orders to

back her words.

a little. “I’ll get things ready, wait for me in the study.” she

retreating, somewhat downcast figure, a pang of sympathy hit Magnus. Leaving his

a wooden hammer, the door gently opened behind her. Startled, she pivoted to face him. “Didn’t

at her. “If you’re not

just get started,” she replied, pushing his wheelchair toward the study. All the while, a nagging thought persisted Even though she wasn’t truly his wife, she had, in all appearance, married him. If that stranger from the other night wasn’t Magnus,

with its grand balcony, Natalia began laying out the mat. As she went to fetch the massage equipment, Magnus beckoned her

puzzled Why the sudden

demeanor she’d grown accustomed to Reluctantly, she set down the massage tools and approached him. With a gentle tug, he pulled her into an embrace, her face buried against his firm chest. Frozen, she felt her heartbeat skyrocket, his familiar, pleasant scent filling her senses. In their previous sessions,

touched her forehead, memories of that fateful night flooding back.

“What are you. She began, thoughts of that recent evening rushing back, prompting her to push him away

wrong? Don’t you want to?” he asked, his dark

felt that night. She was worried that Magnus would only hurt her again. More