The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

From the moment Jonas stepped through the school gates, Berlin could tell he wasn't just any kid. Berlin knew Jonas was destined for greatness; having a student like him was a source of pride! So, naturally, Berlin gave Jonas extra attention and care.

Years had flown by, and Jonas had racked up a string of impressive achievements at a remarkable pace. As his mentor, Berlin was both stunned and overjoyed.

"Madeline's been blowing up my phone, asking why you haven't shown up yet," said Berlin with a sigh, leading Jonas outside and chatting casually. "So, did you gain anything from your speaking engagement?"

Jonas nodded. "Yes, sir, I feel "

Before he could finish, Berlin's phone rang. With a helpless shrug, Berlin handed over the phone. "Ah, it's Madeline again, a veritable call attack! You talk to her!"

Taking the phone, Jonas said, "Madeline?"

"Jonas, is that you?!" came Madeline's excited voice. "Oh, thank goodness you're back. I was so worried. I thought Dad got the time wrong. Hurry back, Mom's made a feast!" "We'll be there shortly."

After hanging up, Jonas got into Berlin's car, and they headed to his house. As soon as the car pulled up in front of Berlin's place, a figure dashed out of the house before it could even come to a complete halt. Madeline was cheering ecstatically, "Oh, Jonas is back. Fantastic!"

It was Madeline, now eleven, her long legs and slender waist hinting at future beauty. Catching sight of Madeline sprinting towards him, Jonas quickly got out of the car and reached out to catch her. "Easy there, watch out."

Over the years, Jonas had come to treat Madeline as a little sister, watching over her with care.

Indifferent to his warning, Madeline jumped into his arms, tilting her head with an outstretched hand. "Jonas, I've missed you! Did you bring me a present?"

"Of course." Jonas pulled a teddy bear from his backpack, a souvenir from the airport. "Do you like it?"

Madeline gleamed brighter than the sun as she clutched the bear. "Anything from you, Jonas, even a needle, I'd adore!"

Jonas ruffled her hair affectionately. "You're exaggerating, but I'm glad you like it."

"All right, Madeline, stop clinging to Jonas. He must be starving after his flight. Let's go inside for dinner, and you two can catch up," Berlin intervened, ushering them into the house.

After a cozy dinner with Berlin's family and some time spent chatting, Jonas wanted to head back to the academy.

Having not seen Jonas for days, Madeline pouted, unwilling to let him leave. With no other choice, Jonas patiently comforted her until she fell asleep and then took his leave.

Berlin and his wife cherished the bond between Jonas and their daughter, having watched him grow up and treating him as part of their family.

Time flew, and before you knew it, three years had passed. In those three years, Jonas aced his studies with ease, graduating from Harvard with top honors, leading by a wide margin, and landing a position as a Brigadier General in the States Army.

At eighteen, Jonas stood tall and handsome. His 6'3" stature and rugged features set him apart. His rarely smiling face held a gravity and authority that seemed beyond his years, his gaze intense and formidable.

With his new appointment on the horizon, Jonas brought a basket of fruit to say farewell to the Berlin family, having come to regard them as family.

As soon as he mentioned his departure, Madeline burst into tears, unable to accept his leave. Seeing her precious daughter in tears, Berlin's wife was beside herself with concern, crouching down to gently persuade Madeline not to be too heartbroken.

Jonas, however, didn't coddle Madeline as he used to. Instead, he waited on the sofa for her to finish crying, then asked, "Are you done crying?"

With tears still streaming, Madeline was shocked to hear such stern words from Jonas. Angrily wiping her tears, she said, "Jonas, what am I going to do without you? I can't bear to let you go!"

Jonas' sharp gaze met hers as he spoke with seriousness, "Madeline, you're growing up. You're not a little girl anymore. Stop the waterworks; it's unbecoming. Focus on your studies, follow in my footsteps, and become an exceptional woman!"

Madeline knew he disliked her tears and nodded. Her voice sounded small but determined. "Jonas, I promise, no more tears. I'll work hard to be outstanding and stand beside you one day!" Satisfied, Jonas nodded. "That's more like it. Keep it up, Madeline!"

He got up to leave. "I should head back now. Remember what you promised, Madeline."

As Berlin's wife saw him off, Madeline watched Jonas' retreating figure, her determination solidifying as she whispered to herself, "Jonas, I'll stand by your side. I'll become outstanding and strong!"

From that day on, Madeline's demeanor changed; she was no longer fragile or tearful. Not only did she throw herself into her studies, but she also enrolled in evening classes and came home late. She had visibly lost weight from her dedication.

Krista, her mother, was filled with both pride and sorrow. She was happy that Madeline had matured but pained to see her work so hard. Madeline wasn't fazed by the hardship. She had a goal: to stand beside Jonas, excellent and peerless.

Meanwhile, in Canada, Anna, who now went by the name of Grace, was blazing through her academic courses at an astonishing pace. At the tender age of thirteen, she possessed a photographic memory for numbers. Through her relentless efforts, she had managed to skip two grades, leaving behind the classroom clashes with Cindy, who always seemed to be on her case.

Cindy, in fact, was two years Anna's senior. She had harbored a grudge ever since Anna had inadvertently stolen her thunder. Cindy's envy simmered every time she saw Anna, and she constantly looked for ways to make trouble for her.

Now that Anna, or Grace as she was known, had moved up two grades ahead, Cindy felt a profound sense of injustice and resentment. Anna's excellence only fueled Cindy's jealousy, making her wish that Anna had never existed in their world.