Chapter 438
asionally, Gabby would swing by Magnus'' ce to drop off some urgent documents that needed his signature. Over time,
her frequent visits led to a budding friendship with Natalia.
Natalia took a shine to Gabby''s straightforward manner and found that their conversations clicked. Before long, they had grown
into close friends, almost like sisters.
As Natalia''s belly grew rounder with each passing day, Gabby started urging Magnus to spend more time at home with Natalia.
Gabby assured him that she could handle things at the office, and for anything she couldn''t manage, she''d give him a ring.
Magnus was only too happy toply with her suggestion, keen to stay by Natalia''s side as much as he could.
Gradually, Gabby took over handling thepany''s minor affairs, and organized everything with great efficiency. Yet, every
evening, as the sun dipped low, she would stand in the assistant''s office, gazing out the pristine ss window at the sunset. Her
eyes would brim with a deep mncholy and longing that no one could decipher. She always maintained a polite distance,
dealing with tasks and people with courtesy while keeping her own sorrows well hidden.
Time flew, and before they knew it, Natalia was nearly five months along.
Hector, upon hearing of Natalia''s pregnancy, offered his congrattions, though he couldn''t help feeling a twinge of jealousy in
his heart. The girl he once hoped to protect was now drifting further from his reach.
Meanwhile, Bianca, like a cheerful little bird, had been keeping Hector''s vi immactely tidy, which somewhat soothed his
lonely heart. Even though he might never hold Natalia''s hand again, he wasforted by Bianca''s presence at home. Whenever
he saw Bianca''s bright smile, it would invariably bring back memories of his carefree college days with Natalia, filled with light-
hearted joy and brilliance.
One day, feeling cooped up at home, Natalia decided to go out for a stroll.
Magnus, who would have dly spent every waking hour attending to her, was all for the idea and apanied her to the
largest shopping mall in Hawaii.
The mall was bustling with activity, and the air conditioning was on full st.
Natalia, now somewhat unwieldy, felt the need to take a break after walking for a while. Magnus was attentive, frequently
checking if she wanted to grab a bite to eat. Perhaps because she hadn''t been out in a while, Natalia had no intention of heading
home just yet. She pointed to the third floor, where baby gear was sold, hoping to check it out and potentially shop for some
clothes and supplies for the little one on the way.
As Magnus helped Natalia up the esctor, he chuckled at her waddling gait. "What''s so funny all of a sudden?" Natalia asked,
puzzled.
Magnus, trying to soothe the ache from his grin, leaned in and whispered, "Honey, the way you''re walking is hrious. You''re
wobbling like a proud little penguin."
Nataliaughed, too, yfully punching Magnus'' shoulder. "You''re more like a penguin, Mr. Proud and Preening!"
“Alright, alright, that is me," Magnus conceded, gently helping Natalia up to the third floor, where they began exploring the baby
goods.
Natalia was delighted by the tiny, delicate clothes and shoes, finding each item adorable and struggling to choose. Holding a pink
outfit in one hand and a crescent white one in the other, she sought Magnus’ opinion. "Which color do you like better?"
Without hesitation, Magnus replied, "Both are beautiful. Let''s get them both."
Just as Natalia was about to respond, amotion erupted from the first floor. Magnus peered down to see people on the first
floor rushing toward the exits, with asional shouts of "Fire! Run!"
rmed, Magnus grabbed Natalia''s hand, intending to lead her quickly out of the building.
"What''s going on? Why is it so noisy down there?" Natalia asked, sensing Magnus'' panic.
"Nothing to worry about, let''s just get out of here," Magnus said, as he didn’t want to scare her with the truth.
Still, the growing plumes of smoke billowing up from below soon revealed the grim reality. Before long, the rising smoke turned
the mall into chaos, filled with the screams of people fleeing for their lives and calls for friends and family. The smoke was
thickest on the first floor and quickly spread to the second.
Scooping Natalia up, Magnus instructed, "Darling, cover your nose with your clothes, I''ll get us out of here."
Startled and afraid, Natalia nestled into Magnus'' embrace, covering her nose and mouth with her clothing while using her free
hand to shield Magnus from the smoke as best as she could.
Magnus rushed toward the stairs to the second floor, but upon arrival, he found that the second floor was now aze. mes
licked hungrily at everything within reach, bearing down with relentless ferocity as if intent on consuming the entire building.
ncing at Natalia in his arms, Magnus hesitated. With her five-month pregnancy, he couldn’t risk rushing through the fire,
fearing she might get burned. He couldn''t take that chance.
With the fire closing in, Magnus, for
the first time, felt utterly helpless. If
Natalia weren''t evreel at he wast
fidseiTe. oo Very er to
safety. He would even jump from the
building if necessary, vowing to
cushion her fall with his own body,
ensuring she wouldn''t suffer a
scratch. Please read the original
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But with Natalia pregnant, he couldn''t risk it.
Looking down at Natalia cradled in his arms, Magnus said with a wry smile, "Darling, looks like we might be trapped here today."
Natalia remained silent, just leaning quietly against Magnus'' chest. As long as he was with her, what did it matter where they
were?
In that fleeting moment, their souls entwined, silently vowing to face whatever came their way, together unto death.
It was then that Magnus heard a familiar voice cutting through the chaos, amplified by a megaphone from the ground floor of the
shopping mall. "Mr. Andersen! Make a break for the back exit!"
Stunned for just a split second,
Magnus '' instincts kicked in as he
recognized the voice—i wasc O1N!
pistakatey exoby''& rusting his
gut and his uncanny ability to
recognize her voice, he swiftly
scooped Natalia into his arms and
bolted for the rear exit. Please read
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By the time a breathless Magnus reached the back door, he was greeted by a massive floor-to-ceiling window that looked out
onto the bustlingmercial street below.
Thankfully, the voracious mes
hadn''t yet reached this part of the
mall. Setting Natalia dove) gency! ''
Magnus pushéd tHe window open
with all his might, revealing Gabby
standing just below, clutching three
thick ropes in her hands. Please read
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