The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)
Chapter 460

It was supposed to be a childish outburst, but it hit Gabby and Lucius like a lightning bolt. They looked down at little Anna, and for a long moment, neither of them could replace the words.

"Darling, what's wrong?" the sultry woman cooed, her fingers tracing patterns across Lucius' chest as she breathed into his ear. "Didn't you promise to love me hard? What are you waiting for? Come on!"

It was then that Lucius snapped out of his daze. He glanced at the sexy woman beside him, unable to bear the sight of Gabby's plain face any longer. He took the woman's hand and headed upstairs, no longer caring to acknowledge Gabby's presence.

With her heart heavy, Gabby clung to little Anna, watching in silence as Lucius led the glamorous woman up the stairs. The room they were heading to was the marital chamber. Gabby had tenderly arranged every detail of that room. Yet today, she had to watch as a stranger shared moments of passion with the man she loved in that very room.

Gabby's heart shattered into pieces. She bit her lip so hard it bled, and tears streamed down her face as she cried without a sound.

Anna snuggled close, wiping away Gabby's tears with a gentle touch. In a quiet voice, she said, "Mommy, don't cry. I'm not hurt, not even a little."

The young girl didn't understand why her mother was so distraught, thinking it was because Lucius had pushed her aside.

Holding the well-behaved child, Gabby sobbed uncontrollably. The angelic innocence in Anna's eyes only reminded her of the sin Gabby committed a year ago. Gabby felt she couldn't face Anna, ashamed of the day she had taken her away from Natalia.

"Sweet Anna, it's Mommy who should be sorry," Gabby said through her tears, regretting the decision she made all those years ago. How could she have been so naive to believe Lucius' lies, to help him commit such wrongs? Now, she was nothing more than a discarded wife, not even worthy of being glanced at, let alone to serve him.

From upstairs, raunchy laughter and lewd words filled the air, mingled with the sounds of Lucius and the woman's intimate escapades. Gabby quickly covered Anna's ears, shielding her from the vulgarities that could taint her innocent soul.

"Uhh...I can't anymore...I'm about to come..."

"I have plenty of energy. I will take good care of you."

"You're really amazing, darling. Did you also try so hard when you were with that ugly woman downstairs?"

"You also say she is an ugly woman. I lose my appetite when I see her. How would I have the mood to be with her? I need to save my energy, lest I get drained by you, my little demon."

Lucius' cold and heartless words floated down from above, each one laced with disdain and hatred for Gabby. She could hear everything clearly from downstairs, each word piercing her heart like a thousand

arrows.

With a bitter laugh, Gabby's heart filled with sorrow. Once upon a time, she believed herself to be a princess in distress, waiting for a handsome prince's kiss to save her and to live happily ever after. But fairy tales were lies. She was never a princess, nor did she replace a gallant prince to rescue her. Instead, she had saved a demon, who had turned on her the moment she ceased to be useful. The man who had vowed to stand by her forever on their wedding day had now chosen a woman of the night to disgrace their marital bed. It was blatant humiliation.

Gabby closed her eyes in despair. Her tears fell like a breached dam. Holding Anna, she wept violently, a picture of misery.

Listening to Gabby's sorrowful cries, Anna once again reached out to wipe away the tears, whispering, "Mommy, don't cry. We can call the police to catch Daddy, okay?"

Anna's innocent words shook Gabby to her core, and for a moment, she forgot even to cry. Yes, she was that weak, unwilling to see Lucius suffer the slightest harm or accusation, despite his cruelty. Gabby studied Anna's face, so similar to Magnus', with eyes the same shade of blue as Natalia's. Standing up, she gazed out at the slowly setting sun and made a decision. She picked up the card from the floor, scooped up the oblivious Anna, and left the villa without looking back.

As darkness fell, Gabby wandered the streets aimlessly with Anna in her arms. Dubai's streets were lavish and opulent, yet there was no place for her and little Anna. Numbly, she continued walking, not knowing where she was going, while Anna quietly patted her shoulder, not making a sound.

Gabby had always wished Anna was truly hers and Lucius' daughter. How wonderful would that have been? But it seemed fate was cruel, for she had been unable to conceive a child with Lucius since their marriage.

Their lovemaking was always rushed, and he never held her afterward. His gaze was cold, as if she were a stranger. There was never any love. Only now did Gabby understand that in Lucius' eyes, she was nothing but a plain Jane, someone he married out of necessity.

She realized she had only inconvenienced him by being with him for over a year. And now, she was discarded, while the man she had given her life to, who had promised to cherish her, now entertained another in their bed.

These were the cruel truths that flooded Gabby's mind as she walked, her tears soaking Anna's shoulder.

Little Anna nestled comfortably against Gabby's shoulder, feeling a dampness seeping through her shirt. She knew instantly that her mom was crying. Lifting her head, she gently wiped away Gabby's tears with her small hands, and whispered, "Mommy, I'm hungry."

Gabby's heart, heavy with sorrow, felt a soothing warmth from Anna's tender touch. She planted a kiss on Anna's adorable cheek and said softly, "You're hungry, sweetie? What would you like to eat? Mommy will take you out for a treat, okay?"

"Okay," Anna replied with a bright smile. "Mommy, can we go have shrimp poppers and fries?"