The Imposter Bride

Chapter 199

Callum drove a distraught Natalia back to their castle. Once they arrived, Natalia climbed out of the car. A heavy burden was weighing on her heart. She gazed at Callum, and her voice was barely above a whisper. “Callum, did you always know that Lena was my birth mother?”

Callum nodded. “Yes, I had my men investigate and found out she was the one who left you at the orphanage. They also tracked down the midwife who delivered you and confirmed that Lena gave birth to a girl – and that girl was you.”

“So, the man who violated my mother and fathered me was Count Rowell? And Henry and Alice are my half–siblings?” Natalia’s eyes burned with anger as she stared at Callum, like a small, furious wolf.

Callum, seeing her anger, nodded reluctantly once more. “Yes, my men found out that Lena was violated by Rowell and became pregnant. And all these years, she was Rowell’s secret mistress. She was coerced into it, Buttercup!”

“No, it can’t be!” Natalia refused to believe it, covering her ears in denial. “She was violated, so how could she willingly become his mistress? This is impossible!”

“Natalia.” Callum took hold of Natalia’s hands, pulling her into his embrace. “Not everything in life happens as we want it to. More often than not, we’re helpless to change

it.”

Helpless? Natalia felt a bitter taste in her mouth. Indeed, she was conceived against her mother’s will, abandoned at the orphanage due to circumstances beyond control, and then her mother became the mistress of the man who violated her. All because she was helpless.

What a cruel joke the universe had played. Was there anything in this world worth cherishing and holding on to?

Natalia felt a bitter taste in her mouth, one that seemed to seep up from the depths of her heart. If the truth was this harsh, she would rather have remained ignorant, forever believing herself to be an abandoned child, rather than the illegitimate daughter of a shameless Count!

“Callum, I feel so tired all of a sudden. I really don’t know how to move forward from this.” Natalia’s gaze was empty as she stared at Callum, looking like a porcelain doll devoid of emotion.

Callum looked at Natalia with a heart full of pain. He had known the truth for a while now, but he hesitated to tell Natalia, fearing the brutal facts would break her. He gently patted Natalia’s frail back, and his voice was filled with affection. “Natalia, don’t be sad. You still have me, right? I’ll stand by you and be your rock.”

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Natalia remained silent, letting Callum comfort her. A wave of exhaustion washed over her, and soon, she fell asleep. Callum felt the sweet rhythm of Natalia’s breath against him and couldn’t resist kissing her softly. “Sleep tight, my love. No matter what hurts and what injustices you face, I’ll always be your safe harbor.”

The moonlight gently filtered through the towering windows, casting a soft silver glow on the floor Callum cradled Natalia, who was sleeping, in his arms, reluctant to let go. After a while, he gently laid Natalia on the bed, tenderly tucking her in. Looking at Natalia’s peaceful, sleeping face, Callum bent down to kiss her hair once more before quietly leaving the room. He knew Natalia was still resistant to him, but he wasn’t afraid. He could wait. Life was long, and he was willing to wait until Natalia willingly became his wife.

With the morning light playfully peeking through the windows, Natalia awoke. She stretched lazily, got up and looked out at the pleasant scenery, and her mood instantly lifted.

Why should she punish herself for the mistakes of others? She had grown up without

it better to consider herself an orphan? The world was vast, and there was no need to waste her good mood dwelling on the past.

parents, so why would we bother forming ties with them now?,

Natalia tried to convince herself to stop thinking about her biological parents, but it was often the case that the more you tried to forget something, the more it seemed to persist.

The maid, Rita, hurried in, “Miss, there’s a visitor insisting on seeing you.”

“Who is it?” Natalia was surprised. She had few acquaintances here, so who would want to see her?

Rita dutifully relayed the message, “She says her name is Lena and insists on seeing you today.”

Natalia’s mental defenses crumbled. It was Lena, the woman who gave birth to her only to abandon her.

“Should I go see her?” Rita asked quietly.

“No need, tell her to leave.”

“Understood.” Rita left the room.

It was probably for the best not to see her, to avoid any awkwardness. Natalia thought so, but her trembling hands were betraying her conflicted emotions.

Soon, Rita returned. “Miss Clarkson, Lena says she won’t leave until she sees you. If you don’t want to see her, I can ask her to leave.”

Natalia waved her hand dismissively. “Never mind. I’ll go see her.”

After all, this was the woman who gave birth to her. Regardless of the circumstances, she

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shouldn’t be so cold–hearted. With that, Natalia’s emotions were churning, and she made her way to the front door of the castle.

Rita led the way, escorting Natalia to the entrance. She pointed to Lena, who was anxiously pacing outside. “Miss, there she is.”

“Alright, you can leave now.” Natalia dismissed Rita, not wanting her to overhear her conversation with Lena.

When she noticed Natalia approach, Lena’s face lit up, “Natalia, you agreed to see me.”

“Uh–huh.” Natalia nodded curtly. “What do you want?”

As soon as the words left her lips, Natalia realized something was off. Last night when she saw Lena, she was still the epitome of elegance and intellect. How could it be possible that she looked so aged overnight? And, what was with the bruises on her face?

It seemed evident that someone had hit her. In a flash, the realization hit Natalia. Her blood ran cold! “Did he hit you? Did he?!” Natalia’s temper flared instantly, and her fingers gripped Lena’s forearm tightly.

Lena looked at her daughter, who claimed not to forgive her, yet her concern was clear. Lena was deeply moved. She gently patted Natalia’s hand, “No, Buttercup, it wasn’t him. I bumped into something, that’s all.” Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org