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.”

wheelchair was already careening away. She huddled in Magnus arms, the gunfire and screams echoing around them. Suddenly, she heard Magnus grunt in pain. Lifting her head, she saw a fresh stream of blood

but Magnus was in a wheelchair and had to protect

Magnus wheeled towards the car, tossing Natalia inside “Stay

you?” She saw Magnus‘ wheelchair slide to the right. Then he pulled a gun from his waist “Boom boom!” A couple shots and

car door,

jumped into the car, bullets hitting the door as it

Chapter 40

the hospital, leaving chaos in

Magnus‘ shoulder was bleeding profusely. Linden looked at him

they would be walking into a trap.

her coat, pressing it

take care of it.

nodded, her tears staining her coat as

minutes later, thet finally

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

intense pain in her chest, a feeling of helplessness she had never experienced before.

and Dr. Frankie rushed inside, Natalia quickly informed them of Magnus‘ condition. Dr. Frankie reassured Natalia, “It’s okay, I’ll take care of him.”

shower, changing into a clean set of clothes and fetching a fresh shirt for

to the study; she’d never been so helpless as she was now. Magnus had shielded her from being shot earlier in

it

Hector, had ever cared about her

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

He s okay, we got the bullet out. Nat, can you help him

on a small bed, his face pale but his eyes alert. He smiled

up in Natalia’s eyes again, “You’re not fine You’ve lost so

Andersen, Magnus is a tough one He’ll be fine

washing over her. As she helped Magnus clean up, she realized that she truly cared for him Despite the danger and fear,