The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

Chapter 560

As the final bell rang, Anna emerged from the classroom amidst a flurry of chatter from her classmates. Through their gossip, she discovered the prodigious young speaker, Jonas, had left the school a couple of days ago.

In the quiet of her own thoughts, Anna pictured Jonas as the model older brother, no doubt showering his little sister with affection.

Taking a deep breath, she felt the ache in her chest subside. With that, she let the thought of Jonas drift to the back of her mind and headed off to her next class. Life, after all, is a journey filled with beautiful surprises, though some may be the regrets of chance encounters.

Jonas had departed Canada, soaring through the skies on a plane bound for Hawaii. It had been quite some time since he last saw his mom, Natalia, and he was eager for their reunion.

After a lengthy flight, the plane touched down at the Hawaiian airport. A weary Jonas stepped off the plane, grabbed his luggage, and hailed a cab to the beachfront villa that was their new home.

It was a sunny Hawaiian morning, and Natalia was idly painting by the seashore, oblivious to Jonas’ arrival.

Jonas approached silently, standing behind her, watching as she added final touches to her painting. The canvas depicted the deep blue of the ocean meeting the sky at the horizon. A soft sandy beach stretched into the distance, where a small figure with a cute pink sunhat scampered barefoot towards the water's edge.

Jonas knew that this painting was his mom's way of missing her long-lost daughter. And for some inexplicable reason, as he watched, the image of Grace, the girl he met in Canada, superimposed itself over the painting, as if she could leap off the canvas at any moment.

Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought as a jet-lagged illusion.

Natalia finally finished the painting, turned to stretch her neck, and spotted Jonas. "Jonas?" She gasped. Her mouth was agape for a moment before pulling him into a tight embrace. "My goodness, my boy, how did you just appear out of nowhere?"

"Just wanted to surprise you," Jonas replied, hugging her back. "I've missed you, Mom."

Their warm reunion was soon interrupted by Magnus, who had just finished work and was surprised not only to find Natalia painting but also their son home without warning. "Kid, why didn't you give us a heads-up?" Magnus chided affectionately as he wrapped an arm around Natalia, a playful reminder that even his son couldn't monopolize his wife's attention.

Jonas caught the gesture, feigning annoyance at the friendly rivalry. "| wanted to make sure someone was taking good care of Mom while | was away."

Magnus chuckled. "I take very good care of my wife, thank you very much." He turned to Natalia, saying softly, "Let's head back; it's too windy out here."Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Before Magnus could lead her away, Jonas grabbed Natalia's hand and led her towards the house. "Mom, let's hurry. | can't wait to taste your home-cooked meal.”

"Cheeky brat, we have a housekeeper for that! Don't trouble your mother," Magnus called out, his voice trailing off with laughter as he stayed behind to gather the abandoned easel.

As Magnus looked at the painting, his expression softened with sadness. It was clear Natalia had been thinking of their daughter. Watching Jonas and Natalia walking ahead, Magnus felt a hopeful longing that their daughter would return someday, completing their warm family.

Two days later, Jonas had to leave the comforts of home to continue his studies back in the States. He said his reluctant goodbyes to Natalia and Magnus and boarded a flight alone, his thoughts a mix of family love and academic duty.

In the airport lounge, while waiting to board, Jonas passed a gift shop and spotted a plush purple bear with a sparkling crown in the window. He asked the clerk to wrap it up and tucked it into his backpack. The bear was a gift for Madeline, the darling daughter of his mentor, Berlin. She was treated like a princess in her father's doting eyes.

Berlin, a reserved Frenchman, had been especially kind to Jonas during his studies in the States, treating him with a father-like affection. Berlin often invited Jonas to his home, where his little girl enjoyed Jonas' playful company.

Jonas remembered one specific visit when he was just nine and Madeline was five. She had taken to him instantly, refusing to leave his side even for dinner, until Berlin's wife promised that Jonas would play with her again after the meal.

However, little Madeline, spoiled and accustomed to getting her way, was not pleased in the least. She turned her big, watery eyes to Jonas, pleading with him to promise that he'd always be there to play with her.

Not taking her too seriously, Jonas nodded absentmindedly, failing to see the depth of her request. This casual response only managed to infuriate Madeline. She had been looking forward to his full attention, and sensing his lack of sincerity, she burst into tears. She demanded Jonas’ oath that he would stay by her side forever.

Caught off guard by her outburst, Jonas was just thinking about making his exit when Berlin strolled over. Observing his daughter's relentless tears, Berlin quipped, "Maddie, don't cry. How about this? When you grow up, I'll arrange for you to marry Jonas. Then he can be with you all the time."

The tears stopped as if by magic, and Madeline's eyes grew wide as she stared at Jonas. Jonas, however, jumped to his feet, declaring, "No way, she's like a sister to me. That's not happening!"

Berlin and his wife couldn't help but burst into laughter, amused by the children's antics. But Madeline took Jonas’ words as a personal affront. She wailed as if she had lost her most precious possession, threatening to forgo eating, washing her face, and even brushing her teeth if she couldn't marry her beloved Jonas.

Amidst her sobs, she implored Jonas, "When I'm grown up, I'm going to marry you. You’re mine, and you can't like any other girls! Promise me that when I'm big, you'll marry me, okay? Then we can play together always."

Jonas’ cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and he stammered, "You... you're like my little sister. Besides, you're still so young. You can't say stuff like that."

With her plea rejected once more, Madeline threw herself dramatically on the floor, bawling at the top of her lungs, "| have to marry Jonas! | won't eat, | won't wash, | won't brush my teeth! | must marry Jonas!"

Berlin and his wife couldn't stop laughing at their daughter's tantrum, leaving Jonas to solve the predicament. They both stared at him, eagerly awaiting his response.

With no other choice, Jonas relented with a reluctant nod. "Alright, alright, if you stop crying, | guess I'll ‘marry’ you."

He thought to himself, “She’s such a handful!”

"Yay! Jonas is going to marry me!" Madeline's tears instantly turned to joy, and she sprang up from the floor, her spirits lifted. Meanwhile, Jonas watched the little princess’ antics, wondering how he'd gotten himself into such a headache.

Berlin and his wife exchanged a knowing smile, not taking the children's joke too seriously Thai) was the fits timestotas and Ntadethe had met, and from that day on, Jonas became a regular at the Berlin household. Madeline, like a little shadow, followed him everywhere. She was impossible to shake off. Please read the original content at .

After all, Madeline was the cherished daughter of Jonas' esteemed mentor, Berlin. Jonas adyally Yeew©O push a ber following him around and occasionally brought her small gifts from his travels to keep her from pouting. Please read the original content at .

Like this time, he spotted a teddy bear in a shop window, and picked it up for Madeline, preempting any possible disappointment upon his return.

Berlin had taken Jonas under his wing, generously sharing his wis

and knowledge, Jqnas hévertd Ber in lik9€ eaddra father. So, for the sake of keeping the peace, Jonas didn't mind indulging the occasional whim. Please read the original content at .

As Jonas reminisced about these memories, he donned his sleep mask and drifted off on the plane.

When he awoke, the plane had safely touched down in the States, and his mentor, Berlin, was already at the airport waiting to take him home for a meal.

Jonas stepped off the plane, and embraced Berlin, who was waiting at the gate. "Thanks for coming out this late, Coach," he said gratefully.

Berlin clapped Jonas on the shoulder with a proud smile, thinking to himself, “What a fine student I've mentored!”