Chapter 224


    The photographs fluttered down like colorful snowkes, dancing in the air before cascading to the


    ground.


    Facing Natalia''s reproach, Magnus responded not with anger, but withughter. His eyes shone with


    profound affection. "My dear," he began. "You must know how much I love you. Howpletely I am


    devoted to you. I want to know and feel everything about you. I haven''t been spying on you, but I’ve


    been appreciating you openly. You just never realized it."


    He took her hand and looked into her angry eyes, now moist with unshed tears. "My dear..."


    However, Natalia remained unmoved by Magnus'' exnation. His repeated deceit and maniption


    infuriated her. Her fading anger red back to life. She red at Magnus, and now her voice was thick


    with ire. "Magnus, get out of my life! I''ve had enough of your games. I have nothing left for you to hurt,


    so please, for my sake and yours, leave me alone!"


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    Seeing Natalia''s pain-stricken face, Magnus felt his heart shatter. He approached her slowly,


    undeterred by her attempts to retreat. "My dear," he said softly, "how can you ask me to let you go?


    Don''t you understand that you''ve stolen my heart? Since you were lost at sea five years ago, I''ve spent


    every day, every minute, every second, in endless longing for you. I could only find sce in your


    photographs, using alcohol to numb the pain. Without you, everything feels so cold and lonely. How


    many more five years do I have to wait?"


    "No, it''s over. It ended the moment I was lost at sea. Can''t we just be strangers who once knew each


    other too well? Isn''t that enough?"


    Natalia knew there was no going back. Nothing could return to how it was five years ago unless their


    child could be brought back to life. However, Magnus never intended to inform her about the baby yet.


    It was hisst card to y, and he couldn''t reveal it yet.


    As Magnus closed in on her, Natalia was forced to retreat further until her back hit the cold wall.


    His gaze was soft and tender, as he backed Natalia into a corner. His voice was husky with emotion.


    "My dear, what are we to do? I can''t let you go, and I can''t be a stranger to you. You''re my wife,


    now and forever. Let''s put our past misunderstandings behind us and start anew, okay?"


    For a moment, Natalia found herself almost lost in Magnus'' intense, affectionate gaze, but she quickly


    snapped out of it. No, she couldn''t entertain any illusions about Magnus. Hadn''t the heart-wrenching


    past taught her anything? She couldn''t afford to make the same mistake again after a brush with death.


    Magnus noticed the hesitation in Natalia''s eyes. Leaning against the wall, he moved closer to Natalia,


    reaching out to caress her face. He whispered into her ear, his breath warm against her skin. "My dear,


    these past five years without you have been like an eternal darkness. Isn''t that punishment enough?


    Can you bear to watch me suffer and die?"


    His minty, fresh breath lingered in Natalia''s nostrils, causing her cheeks to flush with heat. Natalia


    pinched herself, mentally scolding her weakness. She couldn''t let Magnus bewitch her again. She


    couldn''t let herself experience that heart-wrenching pain again.


    Seeing Natalia''s flushed face, Magnus felt a sweetness spread through his heart. He knew her every


    sensitive spot; this shy woman was his sweet poison.


    His desire for Natalia was bing unbearable, so he leaned down without a second thought and


    urately captured her lips. The kiss was passionate and intense, leaving no room for rejection.


    Natalia pushed him away immediately.


    "No, let go, get away!" With all her strength, Natalia managed to push Magnus away slightly.


    Magnus blinked and came back like a sticky candy. "No..." He murmured.


    Natalia could feel her face burning up and her blood rushing to her head. She was furious with Magnus


    for making advances at her. She remembered that Callum was waiting for her downstairs, and yet she


    was up here, kissing this man.


    Without thinking, Natalia pped Magnus across the face, leaving a clear handprint on his cheek. She


    regretted it instantly. She knew Magnus'' arrogant nature and feared his retaliation.


    Natalia felt a pang of guilt, but she swallowed her apology and spat out harsh words instead. "Magnus,


    I''m getting engaged tomorrow. Goodbye." With that, she turned to leave the office.


    But Magnus was tall and imposing, and quickly blocked her way and closed the office door behind him.


    His face was dark and menacing, and his dark eyes appeared to be filled with murderous intent.


    He stared at Natalia like a demon emerging from the darkness. His gaze was fierce. "Say that again.


    What are you doing tomorrow?"


    Natalia felt an invisible pressure, but she refused to back down. She took two steps back, trying to


    escape from Magnus'' chilling aura. "I... I''m getting engaged to Callum tomorrow. From now on, please


    don''t interfere with my life!"


    "No!" Magnus snarled, his teeth grinding in frustration. It wasn''t the p Natalia had delivered him that


    bothered him, but the fact that she kept insisting on marrying someone else.


    How could she? How could she be so heartless as to tell him she was going to get engaged to another


    man?!


    "What wouldn''t I dare to do, Magnus? Since the moment I plunged into the ocean, we''ve been as good


    as strangers. I advise you to face reality sooner thanter and stop bothering me."


    "Bothering? You consider my sincere feelings for you...a bother?" Magnus was seething, his hand


    gripping Natalia''s shoulder, shaking her roughly. "Natalia, did you get water in your brain when you fell


    into the sea? How can you treat my sincerity as a joke? I won''t let you get engaged to that Englishman,


    not on my watch!"


    Magnus was livid!