The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)
Chapter 580

Jonas let out a wistful sigh, deciding to endure a little longer-for the sake of winning back his elusive fox, he could endure this torment.

But oh, the torture! In front of him lay a feast for the senses, a vision of such tantalizing delicacies, and yet he was forced to play the role of the abstinent saint. Sleep eluded him, as he tossed and turned, tormented by the proximity of such temptation.

When the first rays of dawn kissed the horizon, Elisea finally stirred from her slumber. Instinctively reaching to stretch, she realized her arms were pinned tightly to her side. It dawned on her that she'd spent the entire night wrapped in the infuriating embrace of this jerk called Jonas.

Turning her head, she caught sight of his peaceful expression, bathed in the soft morning light. His perfect profile in the dawn's early glow brought an inexplicable sense of tranquility. She had slept dreamlessly more soundly than she had in years. Was it because of this man by her side?

As she gazed at Jonas, who lay so close, a wave of dizziness hit her, and her heart skipped a beat. Why did this scene feel so familiar, as if it had been etched in her memory long ago? Had she really only met this man for the first time?

Elisea attempted to extricate her hand, but in doing so, she brushed against a certain rigid part of Jonas. The contact brought back flashes of the previous night, and her cheeks were aflame with embarrassment.

Without another thought, Elisea shoved Jonas aside and leaped out of bed, dashing into the bathroom and slamming the door behind her. Staring at her flushed reflection, she seethed with fury at Jonas. She vowed to herself that she would make him pay for his shamelessness.

Jonas was roused by Elisea's shove, and caught only a glimpse of her hastening into the bathroom. "Ellie, what...?" he called out hoarsely from outside the door.

"Shut up!" Elisea's mind exploded with anger, anticipating nothing good from his lips. "You shameless jerk, not a single word about last night, or I swear I won't let you off easy!"

Jonas blinked mischievously. "But Ellie, I just need to use the restroom. Can you hurry up?"

This infuriating man had an entire villa at his disposal, not a cramped tenement. Why on earth was he battling her for the bathroom?

She finished quickly, dressed in silence, and strode out, ignoring his presence.

"Aren't you going to have some breakfast before you go?" Jonas followed her in his pajamas.

"No," Elisea continued forward without pausing. She'd been so riled up by Jonas first thing in the morning, the last thing on her mind was food. Leaving a curt response behind, she hurried out of the living room, heading straight for the front door.

Jonas was afraid of losing sight of Elisea and rushed to the balcony, his laughter booming as she stepped out. "Ellie, don't forget to come back for dinner!"

Elisea nearly tripped over the threshold at his words. Whirling around, she shot a venomous glare back at Jonas, hoping he could see just how repulsed she was.

Jonas watched her retreating figure with a heart brimming with joy. Waving goodbye, he knew she would return.

Once Elisea had gone, Jonas changed and drove back to his own home. Upon entering, he found Max slumped on the couch. His little face was etched with discontent. "What happened?" Jonas smiled as he entered the living room.

Max perked up at Jonas' arrival and locked eyes with him, betraying an unusual glee. Jonas typically had a stern expression, but now he was grinning from ear to ear-clearly, something was up. Max hopped off the couch and approached, his small voice laden with accusation, "Daddy, where have you been these past two days? I've been looking everywhere for you."

Jonas thought about how Elisea would react if she ever regained the memories he'd kept from her for a year, how she would hate him for taking Max away and missing three years of his life. He shook his head, accepting whatever resentment she might hold. It was a burden he had brought upon himself. If it meant she would return to him, he'd gladly endure her wrath.

The thought of Elisea softened his expression once more, and an involuntary smile crept onto his lips-a sight that made Max squint in curiosity.

Jonas sat on the couch and pulled Max close, apologizing, "I've been a bit busy lately. Can you be a good boy for Bentley and go to the daycare to play with the other kids?"

"The other kids are always such crybabies and clinging to their moms. They're no fun."

Max pouted briefly, his bright eyes searching Jonas' face. "Daddy, are you not marrying Madeline anymore? Are you going to marry another woman?"

Despite his young age, Max was sharp. He'd noticed the uncontainable joy in his father's demeanor, a joy that never surfaced when Jonas was with Madeline. Perhaps, just maybe, it seemed Jonas had been fellen for someone.

"Hmm?" Jonas' smile turned to a teasing expression. "What makes you say that, buddy?"

Max puffed out his chest with certainty. "Because you haven't been home for two nights. I bet you've forgotten you have a son. If you were with Madeline, she would've moved in by now. Since it's not her, you must have found someone else."

Listening to Max's well-rehearsed speech, Jonas' handsome face darkened. "Who taught you that? Do you even understand what it means to stay out all night, to be with women?" He rubbed his forehead, feeling that the kid's maturity was a bit too much for his liking.

But then he saw Max's face lose its brightness, he raised an eyebrow, and playfully ruffled the boy's hair, "What on earth are you filling your head with all day?"

Max huffed with a hint of pride, arching his eyebrows. "Dad, it doesn't matter who you hang out with, just so long as you don't marry Madeline. Marry anyone else, and I won't object."

Jonas' eyebrows knitted together in an instant. "Why is that?"