The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)
Chapter 12

With a slight turn of his head, Magnus curtly spoke, "If you don't want to, then get out!"

"Alright... I'll go read now." Natalia was taken aback. Having been around this man for a few days, she'd begun to understand his volatile temperament.

It was just a massage, right? She would learn; she would do anything to prevent her father being targeted because of her. She knew that one day he would replace out that she wasn't her sister, but she hoped that day would come later, at least giving her time to do something for her father.

Moreover, would this man kill her if he discovered she wasn't her sister?

She picked up a book and started reading. She was engrossed in the content. She had always loved reading and was quickly deeply absorbed in the book.

Magnus sat there, looking at the documents in his hand. He glanced up and saw Natalia engrossed in her book.

Dressed in a sky-blue dress, her delicate hands were turning the pages, and her long eyelashes were trembling slightly. She looked like a high school student, appearing even smaller as she sat in the large chair.

His heart felt restless. Could a high-society lady like her really be so engrossed in such a book? Was she pretending, or was it genuine? He really couldn't tell.

Yet, each time he looked up to see her in the corner, his heart stirred with an indescribable emotion.

For nine years, he had never shown his true self to anyone. He'd been able to stand on his own two feet three years ago, yet he still sat in a wheelchair. In order to avoid suspicion from the Andersen Corporation and Lucius, he pretended to be disabled, all with the aim of reclaiming what was rightfully his and avenging the incident that had caused his injury!

Over the years, his life had been a constant struggle. As Chase had pointed out, he had never been with a woman, not even in his thoughts.

Once, a girl he liked had cried and begged him to let her take care of him. He had cruelly refused. In the second year, the same girl went to great lengths to replace him. During those lonely days, she was like a ray of sunlight, brightening his entire life. He finally agreed to her request. But in the second year, he drove her away. He went to France to replace Professor Frankie.

By the time he returned two years later, still in a wheelchair, the girl had never come to replace him again.

Over the years, he, and the Chase brothers, along with James and others, had quietly expanded their influence. Now, he was unstoppable! Only then did he start considering women.

And Lucius was about to marry Kendra.

Without even thinking, he requested his grandfather to let him take over the arranged marriage. He wanted to strike Lucius first.

After reading for a while, Natalia looked up and saw Magnus staring blankly at something. She stood up and put the book on the chair. She walked over. "Mr. Magnus, should I pour you a cup of tea? Are you tired?"

It was then that Magnus came back to his senses. Seeing Natalia standing in front of him with a smile, he felt a sense of déjà vu.

He stared at her face, pure and tender, devoid of any makeup. Her large blue eyes glistened with unshed tears. This face couldn't be compared to a high-society lady's. There wasn't a trace of arrogance or pampering, only caution and innocence. Why was it like this? He wanted to touch her face, but the thought of her being Lucius' woman stopped him.

He turned his face away. "Go ahead."

Natalia blanked out for a moment. When he wasn't angry, his eyes were gentle, and his gaze was as deep as the sea. His handsome face showed a hint of emotion.

She wanted to get along well with him so that when he discovered that she wasn't her sister, he wouldn't kill her, or even make life difficult for her father.

She immediately left the study, went downstairs, and made a cup of tea for Magnus.

When the steaming cup of tea was served, Magnus was still lost in thought. If she wasn't Lucius' woman, perhaps he would slowly cultivate her into his own woman. He was unconsciously harboring such thoughts.

"Mr. Magnus, your tea is ready. You've been sitting all morning. Let me check your leg."

With the little bit she'd just learned, perhaps she could be of some use. She placed the tea on the desk and knelt down to massage Magnus' leg.

The man didn't move, just looked down at her. The girl's hands gently kneaded his leg, slowly massaging along his leg. After a few minutes on one spot, her hands moved up to his thigh and pressed harder. The man didn't make a sound, and just quietly watched as Natalia's small hands massaged his thigh.

Her strength was too slight, and it felt more like tickling than massaging. Even through his trousers, she could feel his firm muscles.

Suddenly, Magnus felt a jolt of electricity shoot up from his thigh. His leg stiffened instantly. While Natalia was massaging him, she was taken aback. She felt his muscles twitching, and they were hot. She pressed harder, and Magnus felt a tingle all over his body. He almost gasped, and Natalia sensed his discomfort. She looked up and smiled. "I'm not very strong, but it'll get better over time. Besides, you can't feel it, can you?"

Magnus remained silent as Natalia was massaging him. She then looked up and smiled at him.

His heart missed a beat. For years, he'd never been touched by a woman, let alone received a massage from one. He suddenly remembered what Chase had said yesterday, and his ears turned red.

At that moment, Natalia looked up at him again, squeezing his leg a bit more forcefully. The man abruptly grabbed her small hand. Before Natalia could react, he gently pulled her, causing her to fall onto his lap.

Startled, Natalia tried to stand up, but Magnus was looking at her with fiery eyes, and his warm breath was brushing against her ear.

Natalia's face turned red. "Mr... Mr. Magnus, did I hurt you? I'm still learning, but I'll get better. I'm sorry!" She was afraid he would get angry.

She tried to stand up several times, but Magnus held her tightly in his arms, staring at her face as it turned from pale to red. The faint scent and the feminine scent on her body made Magnus momentarily dazed. His face was only an inch away from hers, close enough to touch if he moved.

After struggling for a while without being able to stand up, Natalia decided to stay still. She turned her blushing face to look at Magnus. His handsome face was so close to hers, and his cool breath was wafting into her nostrils.

"You learned so quickly? Hmm?" His voice was low and husky.

"No, I've only just scratched the surface." Her large eyes were fixed on his lips, and her heart pounded as if it would jump out of her chest.

"How was this little bit able to make me feel something?" His voice was as pleasant as a cello.

Natalia stared at him, and a sudden realization dawned in her eyes. She gasped, "Really? Did you really feel something? Then I'll keep practicing. It is good that you felt something. It means your legs might gradually recover."

Her eyes sparkled like the stars in the night sky. Their brilliance was captivating.

Magnus silently observed Natalia nestled in his arms. Her joy was genuine. Did she wish for him to stand up?

"That's impossible," he murmured somberly. "My legs have been paralyzed for nine years. How could they possibly start working all of a sudden."