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.”

arms, the gunfire and screams echoing around them. Suddenly, she heard Magnus grunt in

was in a wheelchair and had to protect her How was that possible?

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

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

car door, “Sir get in

the car, bullets hitting the door as

Chapter 40

hospital, leaving chaos in their wake.

the car, Magnus‘ shoulder was bleeding profusely. Linden looked at him anxiously, “Sir, we

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

She took off her coat, pressing it against his wound. “There’s a bullet inside. We need to get you

can take care of it. It’s too dangerous to go to

as Magnus‘ blood

finally arrived at the villa.

Natalia tried to follow, but Linden stopped her,

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

rushed inside, Natalia quickly informed them of Magnus‘ condition. Dr. Frankie reassured Natalia, “It’s okay, I’ll take care of him.” He and Carter disappeared into the study, leaving Natalia

into a clean set of clothes and

now. Magnus had shielded her from being shot earlier in the gunfire, and if it hadn’t been

it

had ever

felt like an eternity, the study door finally opened. Natalia

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

study Magnus laid on a small bed, his face pale but his eyes alert. He smiled weakly at Natalia, “Don’t worry,

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

a tough one

her. As she helped Magnus clean up, she realized that she truly cared for him Despite the