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.”

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

Magnus was in a wheelchair and had to protect her How was

car,

to the right. Then he pulled a gun from his waist “Boom boom!” A

car door,

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

Chapter 40

chaos in their wake.

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

that they would be walking

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

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

coat as Magnus‘ blood

minutes later, thet finally arrived at the

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

intense pain in her chest, a

of Magnus‘ condition. Dr. Frankie reassured Natalia, “It’s okay, I’ll

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

looking 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 the gunfire,

it

Hector, had ever cared about

the study door finally opened. Natalia rushed

okay, we got the bullet out. Nat, can you help him get cleaned

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

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

a tough

that she truly cared for him Despite the danger and fear, she was