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

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

Magnus wheeled towards the car, tossing Natalia inside

a gun from his waist

car door, “Sir get

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

Chapter 40

leaving chaos

him

insisted, knowing that they would be

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

okay. Linden can take care of it. It’s

staining her coat as Magnus‘ blood

minutes later, thet finally arrived at the villa.

tried to follow, but Linden stopped her, “Ms. Natalia, I need to remove the bullet. It would

She felt an intense pain in her chest, a feeling of

up outside. Carter and Dr. Frankie 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

a clean set of clothes and fetching

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

it

Hector, had ever cared about her like that.

an eternity, the study door finally opened. Natalia rushed over, “How

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

face pale but his eyes alert. He smiled weakly at

“You’re not fine You’ve lost so much

Andersen, Magnus is a

Frankie, relief washing over her. As she helped Magnus clean up, she realized that she truly cared for him