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.”

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,

a wheelchair and had

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

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

opened the car door,

hitting the door as

Chapter 40

hospital, leaving chaos in

car, Magnus‘ shoulder was bleeding profusely. Linden looked at him

Magnus insisted, knowing that they would be walking

seeing the blood soaking through Magnus‘ shirt, began to cry. She took off her coat, pressing

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

as Magnus‘ blood

finally arrived at the

a study, locking the door behind them. Natalia tried to follow, but Linden stopped her, “Ms. Natalia,

pain in her chest, a feeling of helplessness she had never

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

changing into a clean set of clothes

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, and

it

Hector, had ever cared about her like that.

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

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

study Magnus laid on a small bed, his face pale but his eyes alert. He smiled weakly

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

is a tough one

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