The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

Chapter 396

Callum's eyes were bloodshot, his face was etched with exhaustion, and his brow furrowed with the

weight of the world. He scrunched up his brow in confusion, clearly not grasping the meaning behind

Lexi's words. "Lexi, what are you talking about? What do you mean I buried you alive?"

A torrent of resentment surged from Lexi's heart as she glared at Callum, her finger jabbing accusingly

at his nose. "Callum, cut the act! I know you're just after getting your son back, so spare me that

nauseating facade! I'm telling you, even if you kill me, I will never hand our son over to you!"

Callum gaped, speechless for a moment as if he were trying to catch his own voice. "Lexi, are we

having some kind of misunderstanding? Why can't I understand what you're saying?"

"You don't understand? Ha! Callum, drop the dramatics! It's over between us! Do you want to marry

that so-called princess? Then go live happily ever after with her! Why do you keep haunting us? I can

take care of our child just fine on my own. If you have an ounce of decency, just leave us alone!"

Callum was even more bewildered. "Lexi, I really don't follow. I've been searching for you since you

disappeared. Why would you think I'm only after our son? I've been looking for both of you, for

goodness' sake! And this princess you're talking about, I have no clue who she is! Also, you just said I

tried to bury you alive? Good Lord, Lexi, slow down, please. Tell me everything you know, one thing at

a time, okay?" Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Lexi hadn't expected Callum's tone. She had thought perhaps there was a misunderstanding between

them, but how could she be mistaken about the hellish experiences she'd been through?

Still, determined to uncover the truth, Lexi bravely recounted her terrifying ordeal. She told Callum how

Rita had dragged her by the hair into the basement and subjected her to sunless captivity, complete

with vicious verbal abuse and humiliation.

She also spoke about Rita revealing Callum's supposed engagement to a princess and her sudden

release from the dungeon.

Then, there was her return to England, filled with bitterness and longing for Callum and Mason, her

successful knockout of a mysterious woman, and taking Mason back.

Every detail of her harrowing story was laid out. Tears were streaming down her face as she spoke,

turning into a figure of pure sorrow.

Sitting beside her, Callum couldn't find his words for a long while. His expression had gone vacant as if

his soul had left him. After an eternity, Callum seemed to gather his scattered senses. His face finally

contorted with a dark, thunderous rage. His shoulders shook with suppressed fury as he clenched his

fists. He wanted to smash something but restrained himself at the sight of Mason's sleeping face, and

helplessly dropped his hands onto the soft bed.

Even that gentle thud shook the bed slightly, causing Mason to twitch in his sleep.

Lexi quickly reached for Mason's hand, soothing him quietly. "Sleep, baby, it's okay, Mommy's here."

Comforted by the familiar voice, Mason smiled sweetly and drifted back to sleep.

"What are you doing? You'll wake Mason!" Lexi couldn't help but scold.

As soon as the words left her mouth, she retracted them, embarrassed. Indeed, how could she forget?

The Callum before her was no longer the man she knew. He didn't love her anymore. Without the

foundation of love, what right did she have to speak to him in such a manner?

But then Callum did something completely unexpected. He grabbed Lexi's hand and started slapping

his own face with it. "Lexi, hit me! It's all my fault. I was blind to believe Rita's lies. How could I let you

suffer so much? Hit me, please!"

Lexi tried to pull away but couldn't match Callum's strength. She looked at him in shock. "What are you

talking about? Rita's lies? Callum, you might not love me anymore, but you have to make things clear

today! Why did you treat me like that?"

Callum continued slapping himself with Lexi's hand until one side of his face was red. He then stopped

and looked at her tenderly. "Does your hand hurt, Lexi?"

"Callum, cut the crap. I've been through hell and back, and I see right through you. Make things clear

now; we can talk about the rest later. Just to set the record straight, if you think you're taking Mason

from me, I have three words for you – Not a chance!" Lexi's defiance returned.

Right, her heart could break in solitude, but over her dead body, would anyone take her child away!

"Stop!" Lexi cut him off impatiently. "Callum, I'm giving you a chance to explain, but I'm not here for

sweet nothings. The Lexi you knew is gone; I'm not easily swayed anymore."

"Mhm," Lexi grunted, giving a tacit approval to his statement.

"But when I returned, you had vanished. Rita told me you had mysteriously disappeared from your

room."