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.”

and screams echoing around them. Suddenly, she heard Magnus grunt in pain. Lifting her head, she saw a fresh stream of blood trickling down his shoulder She panicked,

Magnus was in a wheelchair and had to protect her

towards the car, tossing Natalia

Then he pulled a gun from his waist

car door,

the door as

Chapter 40

hospital, leaving chaos in their wake.

at him anxiously, “Sir, we

knowing that they would be walking

through Magnus‘ shirt, began to cry. She took off her coat, pressing it against

take care of it. It’s too

staining her coat as Magnus‘

minutes later, thet finally

locking the door behind them. Natalia tried to follow, but Linden stopped her, “Ms. Natalia, I need to

pain in her chest, a feeling of helplessness

Natalia quickly informed them of Magnus‘ condition. Dr. Frankie reassured

set of clothes and fetching a fresh shirt for

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

it

for Hector, had ever cared about her

an eternity, the study door finally opened. Natalia

okay, we got the bullet out. Nat, can

but his eyes alert. He

again, “You’re not fine You’ve

Frankie laughed, “Mrs. Andersen, Magnus is a

Dr Frankie, relief washing over her. As she helped Magnus clean up, she realized that she truly cared for him