The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

Chapter 362

Now, Natalia finally stirred from her slumber, and all her pent-up emotions came flooding out. She

couldn't help but sob uncontrollably, releasing the weight that had been bearing down on her.

For a moment, Natalia’s gaze was distant as memories, sharp and clear, flooded back into her mind.

She had been trapped in a dense fog of deep sleep. If it hadn't been for Hector's relentless calling, she

might have been lost in that fog forever.

Standing before her with tears streaming down his face like a child, Hector elicited a bitter smile from

Natalia. "Look at you, Hector. I guess I'm just bad luck incarnate. Even the Grim Reaper didn't want me

and kicked me right back from the brink. Guess I had no choice but to stick around."

"Still joking, I see," Hector sighed softly and pulled Natalia into a tight embrace. He was finally able to

let go of the anxiety he'd been holding onto for so long.

Once he'd composed himself, Hector looked deeply into Natalia's eyes. "Natalia, after everything that's

happened, I hope you can leave the past behind and start anew. Really, let go of everything that's

happened. Can you promise me that?"

Natalia's heart skipped a beat at the earnest look in Hector's eyes. This dependable and simple man

had been looking after her with every fiber of his being. What did she do to deserve such care?

"Hector, thank you for taking care of me all this time. Without you, I wouldn't have this second chance

at life," Natalia said, her gratitude genuine.

"Exactly, a second chance! I'm here to start over with you!" Hector's spirits lifted at the mention of a

new beginning. He was happy for the fresh start.

He knew Natalia better than anyone else in the world. Perhaps she would never fully let go of Magnus,

but he was willing to wait, even if it meant until his last breath.

As long as Natalia wanted Hector, he would always stand by her side.

Forever.

*

The morning sun bathed the room in a warm glow as Hector wheeled Natalia through the hospital's

rehab area for her physical therapy.

After a series of check-ups, the doctors couldn't believe their eyes. Natalia's previously injured head

had miraculously healed. However, having been bedridden for over three months, her physical strength

had waned, and she needed to gradually build it back up to regain her full health.

So, after breakfast, Hector took her outside.

The air was exceptionally fresh, and the leaves glistened with dewdrops. Birds chirped occasionally

before taking flight from the branches. To Natalia, the world seemed entirely different from the foggy

haze of her memory. It was as if she'd lived another life entirely.

"What are you thinking about?" Hector asked softly, noticing Natalia seemingly lost in thought.

She tilted her head and pointed at a row of potted plants. "Hey, why are there so many cacti over

there? And they're all flowering. They're beautiful!"

"Want to take a closer look?" Hector wheeled her over and chuckled. "Silly girl, I got these for you to

wake up to! How many pots are there?"

Natalia's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't realized the flowering cacti were for her. Touched, she

began to count. "One, two, three, four..."

"Are there a hundred and twenty-four? So, I've been unconscious for three months and four days?" Her

eyes moistened with emotion.

For a hundred and twenty-four days, Hector had cared for her relentlessly, even as doctors feared she

might never wake up. What kind of devotion was that?

Hector knelt in front of her, staring into her eyes. "No, you've been out for a hundred and thirty-six days.

At first, I was too scared to think of anything but your recovery. I didn't start getting the cacti until later. I

saw them being sold on the side of the road and thought of you. They were so delicate yet resilient. So,

I got one every day, waiting for you to come back to us."

Natalia was too moved to speak, covering her mouth to stifle her sobs. She had been unconscious for This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

so long, but this man had waited with a heart as vast as the ocean.

Noticing the tears in her eyes, Hector gently touched her nose. "Don't cry, okay? I spent good money

on these—fifteen bucks a pop. Once you're better, you're going to pay me back, right?"

Hector's words only made her tears flow faster. This sensitive man thought of everything to keep her

happy and even resorted to teasing. His attempts were clumsy but deeply moving.

"Ah, no, please don't cry," Hector said, flustered but comforting. "Okay, okay, you don't have to pay me

back. Come on, we've got rehab to do. We don't want to be late and get scolded by the doctor, do we?"

He pushed her towards the rehab room, trying to stop her tears.

The soft morning sun cast a gentle light on their backs, a perfect picture of companionship.

Natalia, ever fond of the sea, naturally chose the top floor with its perfect view of the nearby beach.

Opening the windows, she could welcome the warm sea breeze.

That evening, Hector had prepared a hearty dinner well ahead of time. As they sat down to eat, he took

a deep breath and finally broached the subject. "Natalia, why keep working for others when you could

be running your own show?"

"But why not? You've got the chops for it, I'm serious," Hector said earnestly, leaning forward. "Here's

the deal—I'll put up the capital, and we'll launch a boutique fashion line together. What do you say?"