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.”

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 trickling down his shoulder She panicked,

in a wheelchair and had

the car, tossing Natalia inside “Stay inside. darling

Magnus‘ wheelchair slide to the right. Then he pulled a gun from his waist “Boom

the car door,

door as it slammed shut. They sped away

Chapter 40

chaos in

looked at him anxiously, “Sir, we

hospitals,” Magnus insisted, knowing that they would be walking

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

reassured her, “It’s okay. Linden can take care of it. It’s too dangerous to go to a hospital.”

as Magnus‘

thet finally arrived at

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

clothes stained with Magnus‘ blood. She felt an intense pain in her chest, a feeling of helplessness

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

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

study; she’d never been so helpless as she was now. Magnus had shielded her from being shot earlier in the gunfire, and if it hadn’t been for her, he wouldn’t have been shot as the wheelchair slid slowly with an extra

it

one, except for Hector, had ever cared about her

what felt like an eternity, the study door finally opened. Natalia rushed over, “How is

a slight smile. He s okay, we got the bullet out. Nat,

Magnus laid on a small bed, his face pale but his

again, “You’re not fine You’ve

is a tough one He’ll

thanked Dr Frankie, relief washing over her. As she helped Magnus clean up, she realized that she truly cared for him Despite the danger and fear, she was glad to