The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)
Chapter 441

Natalia bit her lip with a sheepish grin. "Cal, it totally slipped my mind that you two would swing by together."

Callum handed the stuff he brought to the housekeeper before wrapping Natalia in a warm bear hug. "She insisted on crashing here for a few days, and since I was keen on checking up on you, I figured why not make it a trip."

Lexi rolled her eyes playfully as she tugged Natalia down onto the couch. "Whatever, it was all this guy's idea, saying a little getaway is good for a mom-to-be's health and soul." Natalia chuckled and settled in, her mood brightening with her friends' arrival. "Ha, look who's talking. I didn't expect to hear you were expecting again so soon!"

At that, Lexi shot Callum a mock-glare before cradling her belly. "If it were up to this guy, we'd have a whole soccer team by now. He thinks the more, the merrier for our golden years." "Come on, you know Cal's always been crazy about kids. If he's happy, just pop out a couple more, no big deal," Natalia said, playing peacemaker with a dismissive wave.

Lexi's eyes widened in disbelief. "Natalia, are you actually siding with him? Do you have any idea how many he wants? He's practically planning a football squad. I'm not a breeding sow!" "Who said anything about sows?" Callum quickly defended himself. "I just love kids, but I'd need a truckload of courage before I'd dare compare you to one."

The living room buzzed with their lively conversation, and time flew unnoticed into the evening.

As headlights approached from a distance, Natalia knew Magnus was home. She signaled the housekeeper to start dinner, then turned back to her chatty catch-up with Lexi.

Magnus walked in to find Lexi, with her burgeoning belly, deep in conversation with Natalia on his couch. Callum was animatedly contributing to the chatter.

"Honey, I've been starving waiting for you to get home," Natalia complained with hushed excitement as she spotted Magnus. "Lexi flew all the way from the UK to see me. Isn't that sweet?"

"If you're hungry, you should eat. Don't wait on me next time," Magnus said, nodding politely to Lexi and Callum. "Welcome to our place."

Magnus said the right things, but he couldn't help feeling a bit sour about Callum's presence, especially knowing Lexi would hog Natalia all night. He imagined the two pregnant chatterboxes keeping up their gabfest all night. The thought alone was enough to drive him up the wall.

Why couldn't Callum keep a tighter leash on Lexi? Why did he let her roam around with such a belly?

Though his thoughts were grumbling, Magnus kept a charming front as he engaged in pleasantries with Callum, then settled on the sofa to listen to the women's chirpy trip down memory lane.

Before long, the housekeeper announced dinner was ready. As the host, Magnus stood up first, inviting Lexi and Callum to join them at the table.

After a congenial meal and some more chat, the topic of sleeping arrangements came up.

Magnus had plenty of guest rooms, any one of which could easily accommodate Lexi and Callum. But before he could even offer, Lexi was shaking her head, insisting on bunking with Natalia to share some heart-to-hearts.

Magnus' face darkened with disapproval, poised to defend his turf from this invasion, but a sharp stomp on his foot and a disapproving glance from Natalia silenced him. He'd have to let it go for now. "Where will I crash, then?" Callum asked, his tone cautious.

Magnus' eyes swept the room as he thought, 'Nowhere in here, buddy. The presidential suite at the fancy hotel down the road should do it.'

Before Magnus could suggest the hotel, Natalia interjected. "Cal, we've got plenty of guest rooms. Pick any you like, whatever floats your boat."

Magnus fumed silently, not liking how chummy Natalia was with Callum. But with the offer made, he couldn't send Callum packing without upsetting his wife.

He gritted his teeth and nodded, begrudgingly giving up his private den.

That night, Natalia and Lexi were like kids at a slumber party, whispering and giggling under the covers. In the next room, Callum was already lulled to sleep by their incessant chatter, occasionally snoring lightly.

Magnus was fuming, the storm clouds practically visible above his head as he glared up at his bedroom, now occupied by the unwelcome guest. The very thought of Lexi sprawling out on his bed made his blood boil. Still, despite his seething resentment, he knew better than to let it show - especially with his wife being pregnant. Even if she weren't, he wouldn't dream of doing anything to upset her.

The next morning, Magnus woke up at the crack of dawn, sharing a quick breakfast with Natalia before dashing off to the office. He couldn't bear the thought of playing the gracious host to Callum, that insufferable fellow.

With Magnus out of the house, Lexi felt a sense of liberation wash over her. She spent the morning lounging and chatting with Natalia. Their conversation was as light and aimless as a cloud on a summer day. By the time noon rolled around, it felt like no time had passed at all.