The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

Chapter 365

He stopped going to the company, and had handed over the reins to his VPs and Paul, spending his

days lounging around O'Malley's, the local watering hole managed by his buddy James.

With his air of casual wealth, a man like Magnus naturally drew the gaze of the town's femme fatales.

They prided themselves on their complexions and legs for days, draped in little black dresses and killer

heels. Each was vying for the chance to share a wild night with the disheveled, yet undeniably

handsome, drinker beside them.

But before any of them had a chance to cozy up to Magnus, they'd be met with a growl, "Scram!"—

sending them scurrying away, their high hopes dashed. James witnessed this routine almost daily. All

he could do was shrug, at a loss, for how to handle his friend's self-destructive behavior.

Months had passed since their return from Rome, but Magnus' spirits remained as sunken as ever. He

spent his days soaked in booze as he shouted at anyone who dared to disturb his brooding.

O'Malley's had always been the hotspot for the well-heeled to unwind, but with Magnus' presence, the

bar had taken on a glacial vibe, repelling the countless hopeful young women who sought his attention.

James had expected business to tank, with Magnus' morose mood killing the vibe. But to his surprise,

the bar was packed to the rafters night after night. As he watched the dolled-up ladies hovering near

Magnus, batting their eyelashes or feigning modesty, James silently wished them luck—they'd need it.

When Magnus slumped over the bar, too drunk to stand, James sighed and approached him. "Magnus,

time to head home."

"Home?" Magnus mumbled, lifting his bloodshot eyes.

With a bitter smile, he squinted at James. "Home, huh? Where's that? I don't have a home."

Indeed, how could it be home without his wife?

"Magnus, you can't keep doing this to yourself. Your body can't take it. I know you want to find Natalia,

but she's disappeared without a trace..."

Before James could finish, Magnus swung a punch at him, fueled by rage and whiskey. "Never say she

vanished! She's just hiding, hiding from me. If I was dead, she'd come back... So let me drink myself to

death!"

The punch, though thrown with all the energy Magnus could muster in his drunk state, packed little

punch. Still, it was enough to stagger James, who spun on his heel and stormed off. "You're crazy, ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Magnus! Do whatever you want! Drop dead for all I care!"

Magnus ignored him, drowning his sorrows in the bitter sting of whiskey. Only when the alcohol

numbed his brain could he escape the pain in his heart.

"Ew, Magnus, you're a mess. But I knew I'd find you here." A melodic voice rang out beside him.

Without looking up, Magnus waved her off. "Beat it!"

Usually, his icy one-word dismissal was enough. But not this time. The woman edged closer. "Gosh,

you reek. Tell me, Magnus, have you found Natalia? We've all been so worried with no news for so

long."

The mention of Natalia jolted Magnus' foggy brain. He glanced at the woman trying to chat him up.

"Lexi?"

Indeed, it was Lexi, her face etched with concern. "Come on, spill it. Have you found her or not? You're

such a mess. You cannot find your own wife, yet here you are, getting plastered!"

Magnus shook his head in resignation, ignoring Lexi to return to his drink. Lexi grew frantic. "What's

with you? I ask you a question, and you shake your head? What's that supposed to mean?"

After a pause, Magnus' gaze remained fixed on his glass. "No, I haven't found her. I'm worthless!"

His heart ached. Not being able to find his wife was torment enough, let alone being reminded of his

failure. He feared nothing in this world except a world without Natalia.

"Oh my God, after all this time, and you still haven't found her? What if something happened to her?"

Lexi's worry spilled over.

A male voice interrupted from behind her. "Perhaps you should be more concerned about yourself."

Lexi turned to see Callum, her husband. His eyes were narrowing. "My dear wife, it would mean so

much if you'd invite me along when you visit your parents next time."

Lexi's laugh was strained as she touched the back of her neck. "Oh, you know, I thought you were busy

with the Queen's gala. I had some free time, so I thought I'd pop over to see Mom and Dad."

Callum's gaze didn't waver. "Hmm? But last time I checked, your parents' house wasn't a bar."

But no sooner had he left than Lexi heard about the royal summons from a maid and slipped away from

home. In a panic, Callum skipped the gala and raced after her, only to find she had left her parents'

house for a night out at O'Malley's.

Green with envy and barely catching his breath, Callum had followed the address to find her sitting far

too close to that damned Magnus.

Facing Callum's accusations, Lexi stuck out her tongue playfully. "Hehe, I was actually hoping to bump

into Natalia here. Haven't heard from her in ages, and I thought maybe, just maybe, she'd show up

around these parts."

"But Magnus said he hasn't seen the hide nor hair of Natalia," Lexi continued, only to catch on a beat

too late, "Ha! Callum, are you seriously interrogating me?"