The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

Chapter 480

Her life was a bleak canvas, stained with the grime of a cruel world. If it weren't for Anna, she might have already bid this sordid existence farewell. As slumber began to claim her, the jubilant sound of Anna's return pierced the silence. The aches that had claimed her body seemed to dissolve and were replaced by a sudden surge of vitality.

Scrambling upright in bed, Gabby quickly ran her fingers through her tangled locks, eager to greet her little beacon of hope. Anna's petite figure dashed toward her, her ponytail whipping behind like a carefree butterfly.

“Mommy, | went butterfly hunting with Johnny by the old hill today, and they were so pretty!" Anna exclaimed, diving into Gabby's open arms with wide eyes expectant of praise.

Gabby mustered the strength to wrap her arms around Anna, gazed into the blue eyes that mirrored those of Natalia, and nodded with a choked voice. "That's wonderful, my sweet Anna. You're the best, aren't you?"© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Despite her youth, Anna sensed the rasp in Gabby's voice wasn't right. She stepped back, peering up with concern. "Mommy, what's wrong with your voice today? Did something bad happen?"

Gabby couldn't bear to let Anna see the shame and torment she'd endured. She forced a stiff smile. "Oh, no, darling. Mommy's just so happy for you, catching butterflies is fun."

Relieved, Anna began to share her butterfly-hunting tale when she noticed a dark bruise on Gabby's arm. "Mommy, why is your arm all blue? Are you hurt?" Anna's voice trembled with alarm.

Unable to hold back any longer, Gabby pulled Anna into a tight embrace and sobbed, her words broken, "Anna... Mommy... I'm sorry... oh, I'm so sorry... I'm a bad person..."

In that moment, Gabby was consumed with regret for the choices that had led them to this abyss, for her past actions that now put both their lives in jeopardy.

Anna, naive to the world's fears, didn't understand her mother's tears but felt the urgency in her sobs. Her own tears followed, a silent echo of Gabby's despair.

Mother and daughter wept in their humble abode, one drowning in remorse, the other lost in confusion.

Amidst their sorrow, Grant entered unnoticed. His gaze softened as he watched the frail Gabby holding Anna, crying as if her heart would break. The night before, after venting his desires on her, he had sent Gabby away. Still, her image and her reluctant acquiescence haunted him. Grant had known the warmth of many women, but Gabby... she was different.

As his feelings shifted from fleeting lust to possessiveness, he resolved to have her. She had to be his.

So, Grant had followed Gabby home, only to find her in tears. A pang of pity, unacknowledged even to himself, flicked through him. "Agree to be with me," he offered from behind her, "and | promise happiness and safety for you and your daughter. No one will ever harm you again."

Gabby, amidst her tears, turned to face the source of her anguish. There stood the very demon who had defiled her. Her eyes blazed with hatred, yet she knew the bitter truth of his words. Without protection in this estate, she and Anna, both captives, would not survive.

Her heart sank. Dignity meant nothing when life and death hung in the balance. Her own life was already in ruins, tarnished the moment she conspired against Natalia at Lucius’ behest. Now, her sole purpose was atonement. She had to survive, to shield Anna, to offer her a semblance of safety.

With this vow, Gabby steeled herself to face Grant, her voice cold and steady. "Are your promises true? If | follow you, you'll keep us safe, provide a good life?"

Surprised, Grant watched her. Moments ago, she had glared at him with such loathing. Now, she was considering his offer? Then he understood — the child in her arms was the key.

Astly joy filled him as he nodded earnestly. "Absolutely true. My wife is gone, and | only have a son. If you marry me, | swear to care for you and your daughter Anna."

Gabby was stunned. She had braced herself for a life of servitude, nev expecting a pr opalcetsald this be apyaseabet fom the hell she had resigned herself to? Or was it merely a deeper descent into another kind of prison? Please read the original content at .

Gabby was caught in a daze when Anna, with her deep blue eyes, gazed up at the tall man standing before her. Her voice, innocent and resolute, rang out, "Mister, do you promise to be good to my mom?"

Grant nodded again, his voice steady. "Yes, | promise | will always be good to her."

Grant couldn't quite fathom why these words had rushed out so spontaneously—perhaps it Beis lonelines that hensétled in his Tones his wife passed away so many years ago, or perhaps he had genuinely fallen for this woman who appeared delicate but carried an undeniable strength within her. Please read the original content at .

Whether it was love at first sight or a connection sparked in an instant, Grant found his su en ynbiadeh" | thayghisamusihg he idea of making Gabby his wife began to spread through his mind like wildfire, growing more intense and urgent by the second. Please read the original content at .