The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

Chapter 435

No, he had to put some distance between himself and Bianca. It was clear to him now. His heart belonged to Natalia, yet this girl he had taken under his wing, Bianca, was stirring a possessive desire within him that he couldn't quite understand.

It was just a carnal itch, he surmised; he was yearning for a woman's touch to quell his physical urges, and for some reason, his sights were set on Bianca.

Despite his internal vows to keep his distance, Hector found himself racing his Mustang back home as soon as the workday ended.

Dusk was settling in, and the streetlights began flickering on, guiding the wayward back to their nests. Driving home, Hector tried to mentally prepare himself; he wasn't rushing back for Bianca, but rather to clear the air, to make sure she didn't think he despised her.

Soon enough, Hector arrived at his villa and strode into the living room, where the aroma of a hot meal wafted through the air. Taking a deep breath, he had to admit, Bianca had outdone herself with the dinner spread.

"Bianca? Come on out, let's eat!" He called toward the kitchen, settling into a chair at the dining table with a satisfied grin. But as the minutes ticked by, there was no sign of Bianca emerging. Where was she?

Curiosity piqued, Hector stood and walked toward the kitchen, only to find it spotless and empty. Odd, where could Bianca have gone?

Thinking she might've been busy with something else, Hector patiently returned to the table and waited. But when the food had gone cold, and there was still no sign of Bianca, Hector couldn't contain his worry any longer. He rose, searching the villa room by room. "Bianca? Where are you? Dinner's ready.”

His voice echoed through the grand space, but she was nowhere to be found. Frustration gnawing at him, Hector flopped down at the table, puzzled. It was getting dark; where could she have gone? He reached for a glass of water, only to discover a note tucked beneath it. Picking it up, he read the delicate handwriting:

[Dear Sir, thank you for your kindness and shelter these past weeks, for brightening the gloomy chapters of my life. Being a simple country girl, I've made mistakes and perhaps caused you discomfort, for which | am sorry. Sir, | will forever be grateful for your goodness. I've left now. Take care, Bianca.]

The words exploded in Hector's mind. Bianca had left? With no home to go to, where could she be at this hour? Panic-stricken, he grabbed his phone to call her back, only to realize she didn't have a cell phone.

Gazing out into the night, Hector didn't hesitate; he stepped out into the dark. The streets of Hawaii could be rough, and not long ago, Natalia had nearly fallen prey to a predator. If anything happened to Bianca because of him, he'd never forgive himself.

Where could you be, Bianca?Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

He drove through the streets, searching every corner for her, but she remained elusive. Hector punched the steering wheel in frustration. Where had Bianca gone? Hadn't she promised to repay his kindness? How could she just vanish?

The streetlights cast a feeble glow, and the sidewalks emptied except for the fringes of society, the ones who lived in the shadows. Seeing those people, Hector's heart clenched with fear. Bianca hadn't been caught and sold by those thugs, had she?

He remembered the day he found her, threatened by debt collectors, so small and vulnerable. He had paid off her father's debts and taken her in, offering her a permanent place in his home. And now, she was just gone without a trace.

His anxiety turned to anger. Hector searched until dawn broke, but Bianca was nowhere. Exhausted, he returned home. The cold food on the table was a stark reminder of the missing girl.

Skipping breakfast, Hector dressed and headed to the office, but he couldn't concentrate, his mind consumed with worry for Bianca.

By noon, it hit him—her father. The man who had been ready to trade his daughter's freedom for his debts. That scumbag didn't deserve to be called a father.

Convinced that Bianca's dad was behind this, Hector dashed out of the office, ignoring the startled gazes of his staff. He had to save Bianca before it was too late.

He sped to the seedy bar where he had found Bianca being dragged |

by her so-calle father Ks HScter pashaalthtotg the bar doors, he spotted a sleazy old man groveling to a group of tattooed skinheads. Please read the original content at .

The battle to save Bianca had just begun.

"Davy, my girl came back last night. | know you've had your eye on her awhile, and th tsquite\biéssing for HeWSaheres t e deal, if you can cough up a cool million, I'll have her dropped off at your place tonight!” Please read the original content at .

The bar was sparsely populated at that hour, so Hector overheard the old man’s words with crystal clarity.

He didn’t know the shameless geezer who was speaking, but he did recognize one of the bald guys seated there. It was the same thug who had been hounding Bianca for cash last time!

Hector had half a mind to stride over and demand to know where Bian was, but he w rjep| abst speaking tremens Vs found himself in a quiet corner and settled in to eavesdrop on the old coot's conversation. Please read the original content at .