The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)
Chapter 555

Henry dragged his injured arm onto the speedboat, his heart heavy as he set off toward home.

In the afternoon, a sudden gale whipped up over the sea. A massive wave struck, capsizing Henry's yacht. He closed his eyes, thinking that if he couldn't replace Alice, he would never be able to face his mother. He might as well join Alice at the bottom of the ocean.

With his eyes shut, he silently apologized to his mother and Alice.

At a hospital in Hawaii, Magnus rushed in again, cradling Natalia in his arms as doctors quickly took over, attending to her gunshot wound. "Quick, she's been shot!" Magnus was drenched in sweat and heartbroken.

Doctors immediately wheeled Natalia into the operating room, with Magnus following close behind. Seeing the dried blood from the gunshot wound, his heart felt as if it were being sliced open. After half an hour, the doctors removed the bullet, stopped the bleeding, and dressed the wound.

Natalia lay there quietly. The doctor was taking her into surgery for the second time, and he felt a pang of sorrow seeing Magnus' zombie-like demeanor.

In a low voice, the doctor reassured Magnus, "Mr. Andersen, your wife is just in a coma from the bullet. There's no danger to her life. Once the anesthesia wears off, she'll wake up."

Magnus held Natalia's hand tightly, bringing it to his lips. "She was just getting better, and now this injury... How can she take all this?"

The doctor sighed, "Your wife is fundamentally strong. There's nothing to worry about. She'll be fine with some rest."

Magnus spent day and night by Natalia's side, holding her in his arms and kissing her cold forehead. "Darling, it's all over now. I swear never to let you get hurt again."

He thought of how she had taken a bullet for him, such a fool she was. His body was strong, so how could he let her take a hit for him? Even if he got shot, it wouldn't be a big deal. The next day, Natalia woke up and saw Magnus' anxious eyes. She smiled weakly. "Honey, I'm sorry for making you worry again," she said, reaching out to gently touch his face. Magnus fought back tears. "Darling, you can't ever scare me like that again. I've only got half a life left, and if you scare me again, I might just die."

He lifted her from the bed and held her tightly. He wished he could merge her into his body, to shield her from anything that could harm her.

In this life, he never wanted to see her hurt again. If there had to be suffering or pain, let it be his alone to bear.

A week later, Natalia was discharged. Magnus handed all his work over to Paul and stayed by Natalia's side. Once she was fully recovered, they flew to the States to see Jonas.

In a fishing village far from Hawaii, inside a dilapidated house, lay Henry, who had been tossed by the sea winds onto the beach and saved by the fishermen.

Henry was carried into the ramshackle house by the fishermen, where they treated him. Three days later, he awoke to replace himself still alive. His heart was filled with bitterness. Just then, the door was pushed open, and a girl walked in with a bowl of porridge. Henry looked up, stunned and unable to believe his eyes.

"Alice!" It was Alice, and Henry was overjoyed, grabbing her arm. "Alice, you're alive, that's wonderful. I've been searching for you forever." Alice looked at him with her head tilted, as if she didn't recognize him, "Who are you?"

"I'm your brother, Henry. Don't you remember me?"

"Brother? I don't know you..." After placing the porridge down, Alice turned and left.

Henry quickly followed her. "Alice, I'm your brother, Henry. Do you truly not recognize me?"

An old man walking along the beach smiled as he saw Henry. "You're awake, lad. That's good."

Henry bowed deeply to the old man. "Thank you for saving our lives."

"Is she your sister?" The old man glanced at Alice.

"Yes, she's my sister who went missing months ago. Thank you, sir, thank you so much," Henry kept repeating his gratitude.

The old man laughed heartily. "I had no idea you were siblings. What a coincidence, picking up this girl from the sea and then replaceing you on the beach a few days later. But your sister has lost her memory. She remembers nothing."

Hearing this, Henry gently caressed Alice's cheek. "It's better she forgets. As long as she's alive, that's all that matters."

The dark past was best forgotten. He would let her be the innocent sister she once was. Days later, Henry took Alice back to the UK, taking great care of her.

On the day Alice lost the will to live, she had thrown herself into the sea, only to be washed ashore in the fishing village, where she lost all her memories.

The amnesiac Alice was as pure as a blank slate. Seeing how well Henry treated her, she instinctively relied on him and obediently followed his every word. Henry gazed into the distance, lost in thought.

In the States, when Jonas heard that Natalia was coming to visit, he dashed out of school, eager with joy. When she saw Natalia standing outside the school gates, he sprinted towards her, shouting, "Mommy!' Magnus quickly wrapped Natalia in his arms, protecting her from Jonas' enthusiastic embrace.

"Mommy, I'm so glad you could come see me!" Jonas laughed happily, his smile radiant in the sunlight.

Natalia, touched by his smile, laughed along. "How's school been? Are you swamped with homework?"

"It's all a piece of cake," Jonas boasted. Ever the academic achiever, no amount of homework could stump him.

Magnus teased, "You little braggart, you're even more conceited than I was at your age!"

Jonas chuckled, "Can't help it, superior genes. I am the improved version!"

Their laughter filled the air, a warm current of family affection flowing in the midst of joy and merriment.

"Hungry, kiddo? Your old man's gonna treat you to a feast," Magnus said, carefully linking arms with Natalia, ready to lead his wife and son to a sumptuous meal.

Jonas watched as his father moved with such cautious precision. His brow furrowed in concern. "Dad, did mom hurt her arm?"

"Mhm."

"No!"

Magnus had responded with a truthful grunt, while Natalia, in her fear of worrying her son, quickly shook her head and denied it. Their contradictory reactions made Jonas halt in his tracks, displeasure etching across his young face. He looked earnestly at his father. "Dad, please don't tell me that you've failed to protect mom again."

Magnus was awash with embarrassment, his head dipped in shame. "You're right. It's my fault this time, son. Your mom got hurt while taking a bullet for me."

"What?!" Jonas gasped sharply, his concern instantly giving way to alarm as he turned to Natalia. "Mom, did you get shot in your arm?"