The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)
Chapter 464

Gabby's heart sank like a stone when Scarface described the kidnapping with such casual indifference. Her mind had been solely fixated on Anna's safety, and it was only now, a beat too late, that she realized Lucius had provided her with a mere two million dollars - a far cry from the ten million needed.

The thought of what might happen if she angered the kidnappers was too terrifying even to contemplate. She was acutely aware that she was up against desperados, and as a woman on her own with Anna by her side, how could she possibly stand a chance against these ruthless crooks?

Gabby tried to maintain a facade of calm as she surveyed the room for a possible escape route, her eyes darting from corner to corner. But after a thorough glance, she knew their prospects were grim. The room had only one door, and every window was tightly shut.

Scarface noticed Gabby's vigilant eyes and sneered, "What's the matter, sweetheart, thinking of running? If it turns out you've really given us that kind of dough, nobody's gonna lay a finger on you. But if you're playing smart..." He let out a menacing chuckle.

"Boss!"

The door burst open as one of the henchmen rushed back in from checking the account. "Boss, the card's got money, but it's not ten million - it's only two million!"

Scarface's initial delight at the presence of money quickly turned to fury. He glared at Gabby and struck her across the face with a backhand slap, hissing through clenched teeth, "You conniving little tramp! Think you can outsmart me, huh?"

As dawn was breaking, he bellowed, "Take 'em both!"

Gabby's plea was cut short by the taste of blood in her mouth. "Everything I have is here, honestly, it's just the two million that Lucius gave me - please, just let me and my child go."

"Ha!" Scarface snorted. "I saw you leaving that fancy villa with the kid. Do you expect me to believe you couldn't scrape together ten million when you live in a place like that? You take me for a fool?" Gabby was at her wit's end. With no money to her name except for the two million on Lucius' card, she was at the mercy of these merciless thugs who refused to believe her. She desperately wanted to fight back, but what chance did she stand, especially holding Anna, against these towering men?

Before Gabby could make a break for it, she and Anna were herded onto a dilapidated fishing vessel, which slipped away into the predawn stillness, leaving Dubai behind without a trace...

Hawaii.

Magnus was sleeping soundly with his arms wrapped around Natalia. Her improved mood lately had allowed him to relax a bit as well. He drifted into a deep sleep and dreamt he was at the edge of a vast, endless sea.

He paced back and forth along the shore in his dream, trying to replace a way to leave the unsettling waters, but there was no escape. Then, he saw a little girl in a soft pink dress by the sea, the occasional breeze lifting the hem of her dress, rustling softly.

Unable to leave the shore, Magnus approached the girl, hoping to ask where he was. He reached her side and hesitantly asked, "Sweetheart, who are you?"

Suddenly, the girl in pink twirled around and chirped, "Daddy!"

Magnus staggered back, shocked. The girl had his face and Natalia's eyes.

"My God, this is my daughter!"

Even in the dream, Magnus couldn't shake the memory of his daughter being taken. Now, seeing this girl, who looked so much like him, he was overwhelmed with joy. He called out to her and reached out, desperate to hold her. But as he approached, she began to drift into the sea, getting farther and farther away.

"Sweetie, you're my little girl, Daddy's finally found you. Where are you going?" he called out.

The girl reached toward Magnus with a look of longing on her increasingly blurry face. Her voice echoed in his ears. "Daddy, why won't you save me? The bad people took me. Please come for me!" Hearing the heartbreaking plea, Magnus was frantic. He attempted to jump into the sea, but no matter how fast he ran toward the water, it always moved away. Exhausted, he could no longer run, and the sea remained out of reach.

Out of breath and on the verge of collapse, Magnus lay on the ground, looking up at the sky in despair, "Why?! Why take my daughter away from me? Why?!"

Natalia, who had been sleeping peacefully in his arms, was jolted awake by his shouts. Confused, she opened her eyes to replace Magnus thrashing and crying out in the throes of a nightmare. She gently shook him, trying to wake him. "Honey? Honey? Wake up, please wake up."

Magnus awoke with a start. His face and pillow were drenched in sweat and tears. He looked at Natalia, panic in his eyes, and pulled her tightly to his chest.

Natalia, sensing his distress, asked in concern, "Did you have a nightmare? It's okay, don't worry, I'm right here with you."

Magnus shook his head, his arms tightening around Natalia as a mournful expression crossed his face. "Honey, I had a dream about our little girl," he confessed, his voice thick with sorrow. "She had my face, my features, and her eyes were the same deep blue as yours. Just moments ago, she was there in her soft pink dress, looking up at me with those big eyes, asking why I didn't come to save her. Honey, do you know what happened? When she drifted further and further away, I felt like I was being abandoned by the whole world."