The Imposter Bride by Sallie Woods

Chapter 40

Magnus‘ phone buzzed; it was a message from Dr. Frankie. He glanced at it, revealing a wry smile.

[Congrats, Magnus, Mrs. Andersen is quite a catch,] the text read.

Natalia, meanwhile, was still basking in the good news, pushing the wheelchair in a state of

bliss. Linden followed behind them as they walked out.

As they reached the hospital entrance, Linden prepared to start the car, while Natalia stood with Magnus at the hospital’s entrance. Suddenly Magnus felt a gun aimed at him from behind the hospital shade, “BAM BAM!” With the sound of the gunshot, the bullet was already flying towards Magnus‘ head.

Natalia was standing directly in their path. Magnus instinctively grabbed her, sending the

wheelchair careening away.

The shadowy figure fired again, and Magnus‘ wheelchair veered towards the flower beds by

the entrance.

“Are you okay, darling?” Magnus checked Natalia for injuries, his heart pounding in his chest.

“Who’s trying to kill us?” Natalia stuttered, her heart ready to leap out of her chest.

Magnus did his best to comfort her, “Stay calm. Don’t move.”

Another burst of gunfire echoed through the air, bullets shattering the concrete of the flower beds. One grazed Magnus‘ arm, drawing blood.

Natalia screamed, “Magnus, you’re hurt!”

The gunfight raged on, with Linden now exchanging fire with their assailants. Magnus held Natalia close, “Stay in my arms. Don’t look up.”

away. She huddled in Magnus arms, the gunfire and screams echoing around them. Suddenly, she heard Magnus grunt in pain. Lifting

but Magnus was in a wheelchair and had

her pleas, Magnus wheeled towards the car,

slide to the right. Then he pulled a gun from his waist “Boom boom!”

the car door,

into the car, bullets hitting the door

Chapter 40

the hospital, leaving chaos in their wake.

bleeding profusely. Linden looked at him anxiously, “Sir,

Magnus insisted, knowing that they would be walking

through Magnus‘ shirt, began to cry. She took off her coat, pressing it against his wound. “There’s

okay. Linden can take care of it. It’s

as Magnus‘ blood seeped

thet finally

the door behind them. Natalia tried to follow, but Linden stopped her, “Ms. Natalia, I need to remove the bullet. It would be best if you

retreated, her clothes stained with Magnus‘ blood. She felt an intense pain in her chest, a feeling of helplessness she had never experienced

condition. Dr. Frankie reassured Natalia, “It’s okay, I’ll take care of him.” He and Carter disappeared into the study,

a shower, changing into a clean set of clothes and fetching a

Magnus had shielded her from being shot earlier

it

except for Hector, had ever cared about her like

eternity, the study door finally opened. Natalia rushed over, “How

anxious girl with a slight smile. He s okay, we got the bullet out. Nat, can you help him get cleaned

but his eyes alert. He

in Natalia’s eyes again, “You’re not fine

Frankie laughed, “Mrs. Andersen, Magnus is a tough one He’ll be fine Don’t worry

she helped Magnus clean up, she realized that she truly cared for him Despite the danger and fear, she was glad to be