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.”

to protest, but Magnus‘ 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 trickling down his shoulder

could run, but Magnus was in a wheelchair and had to

her pleas, Magnus wheeled towards the car, tossing Natalia inside “Stay inside. darling

wheelchair slide to the right. Then he pulled a gun from

opened the car door, “Sir

into the car, bullets hitting the door as it slammed shut.

Chapter 40

chaos in their

Linden looked at him

that they would be walking into

through Magnus‘ shirt, began to cry. She took off her coat, pressing it against his wound. “There’s a bullet inside. We need to get you to a hospital.”

can take care of

staining her coat as Magnus‘ blood seeped into the fabric.

minutes later, thet finally arrived at

but Linden stopped her, “Ms. Natalia,

stained with Magnus‘ blood. She felt an intense pain in her

condition. Dr. Frankie

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

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

it

for Hector, had ever cared

eternity, the study door finally opened.

and Linden stepped out and looked at the anxious girl with a slight smile. He s okay, we got the bullet out.

but his eyes alert. He smiled weakly at Natalia, “Don’t worry, darling,

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

“Mrs. Andersen, Magnus is a tough one

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