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 pain. Lifting her head, she saw a fresh stream of blood trickling down his shoulder She panicked, “Magnus, you’re

and had to protect her How

Magnus wheeled towards the car, tossing Natalia

Then he pulled a gun from his waist “Boom boom!” A

immediately opened the car door, “Sir

the door as

Chapter 40

leaving chaos in their

profusely. Linden looked at him anxiously, “Sir, we need to get you to a

that they would be walking into a

shirt, began to cry. She took off her coat, pressing it against his wound. “There’s a bullet

take care of

her coat as Magnus‘ blood seeped into

later, thet finally arrived at

helped Magnus into a study, 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 if you wait outside.”

blood. She felt an intense pain in

informed them of Magnus‘ condition. Dr. Frankie reassured

shower, changing into a clean set of clothes and fetching

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

it

one, except for 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 get cleaned up

bed, his face pale but his eyes alert. He smiled weakly at

eyes again, “You’re not fine You’ve lost so

Frankie laughed, “Mrs. Andersen, Magnus is a tough one

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