The Imposter Bride by Sallie Woods

Natalia noticed Callum’s nonchalant behavior and felt even more guilty. She knew Callum didn’t want

her to worry. He always downplayed things. As for Magnus, there would never be any interaction

between them. There probably wouldn’t be a next time, would there?

“Buttercup, don’t let anything upset you. Let’s just consider today as having run into a mad dog and,

unfortunately, getting bit. Once we reach England, we’ll forget all the unpleasantness.” Callum gazed at

Natalia with deep affection. “We agreed before we left, that once we return, we will have a grand

wedding. When that time comes, you have to be my beautiful bride.”

Looking into Callum’s earnest eyes, Natalia, for a moment, couldn’t bear to meet his gaze. “Cal, I…”

Seeing the obvious panic in Natalia’s eyes, Callum felt a pang in his heart. He knew Magnus was the

rotten apple spoiling the barrel. Without Magnus, Natalia would definitely not be like this.

However, Callum didn’t show his feelings. His Buttercup was feeling down, but that was

okay, he could wait. Once they returned to England, Callum would patiently wait for his Buttercup to

say she wanted to marry him.

If one year wasn’t enough, then two years, if two years weren’t enough, then three years. Even if it took

five years, it was okay. He had time. As long as his Buttercup wanted to get married, he would always

be her one and only love!

As for Magnus, that jerk, if he dared to come to England, Callum certainly wouldn’t let him off easily.

Callum would definitely settle old and new scores with him.

“Buttercup, we still have a while before we arrive. You should rest for now,” Callum said, replacing the

eye mask on Natalia.

He had seen the hesitation in her eyes, so, he wouldn’t allow her any opportunity to reject him. She

was his Buttercup, and he wouldn’t allow anyone to covet her! He would spend a lifetime protecting her

and loving her!

“Okay, I understand.” Natalia knew Callum was trying to comfort her. But after running into Magnus at

the airport and remembering all those memories, Natalia really couldn’t calm herself down.

She had lost her beloved baby; the pain was too deep. It was something Magnus could never fully

understand.

How great would it be if she didn’t remember all this, didn’t return to Melfort, and didn’t run into

Magnus?

Though Natalia said she was fine, her furrowed brows and sorrowful eyes betrayed her true feelings,

which Callum could see right through.

Callum knew Magnus had hurt her again. He felt a heart–wrenching pain. He immediately reached out

to pull Natalia into his arms, gritting his teeth inwardly. “That bastard Magnus. I definitely wouldn’t let

him go!”

Once they returned to England and Callum had finally managed to soothe Natalia’s emotions, he would

definitely return and settle the score with that bastard!

Initially, Natalia was to return back home with Callum after having settled her mother’s affairs. Then,

she would have been able to let go.

And she could look forward to their wedding day, becoming Callum’s happy bride.

But after unexpectedly running into Magnus at the airport, even after returning to England, Natalia was

constantly in a daze, and dwelling on the painful past.

She hated Magnus, his heartlessness, and his indifference. She hated his unfaithfulness and hated him

for indirectly causing the death of their child! But the more she hated Magnus, the more she recalled

their times together, the more her heart ached. Sometimes, unknowingly, tears would start flowing like

rain.

Buttercup, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Callum asked, having entered the room

unnoticed. Natalia was by the window, reminiscing about the painful past.

It’s nothing, just thinking about my mom and feeling a bit sad.” Not expecting him to see her in such a

state, Natalia felt a bit guilty. Hastily, she wiped her tears away and tried to play down her emotions.

Soon, she would be Callum’s bride. Though a sliver of hesitation remained in her heart, the fact was

irreversible. So, no matter what had transpired between her and Magnus in the past, she couldn’t let

Cal know, that she was still thinking about Magnus!

Callum knew why she was crying, but he didn’t have the heart to expose her. He simply went along

with her, saying understandingly, “I understand how you feel, but the past is the past. Don’t be too hard

on yourself.”

Then, Callum reached out, holding Natalia’s shoulders, and saying with deep affection yet firm

determination, “Don’t worry, Buttercup. I will take good care of you in the future. I will ensure your mom

rests in peace and make you happy. No matter what has happened in the past, promise me you’ll

forget about it, okay? You need to let go of the past to embrace a better future, don’t you think?”

On the surface, Callum seemed as cool as a cucumber, brimming with confidence. But beneath that

calm exterior, his heart was in a state of turmoil.

Ever since they returned from Melfort, Natalia had been in a funk, all thanks to that scoundrel, Magnus.

Even though Callum was desperate to help, he felt completely powerless when it came to Natalia’s

situation.

His worst fear was that even though Natalia detested Magnus with every fiber of her being, she could

have still harbored feelings for him. What if Magnus relentlessly pursued her, reigniting the old flame?