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.”

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

could run, but Magnus was in a wheelchair and

pleas, Magnus wheeled towards the car, tossing Natalia

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

the car door,

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

Chapter 40

leaving chaos in their wake.

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

insisted, knowing that they would be walking into

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

can take care of

her tears staining her coat as Magnus‘ blood seeped into

thet finally arrived

them. Natalia tried to follow, but Linden stopped her, “Ms. Natalia, I need to

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

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

a clean set of clothes and fetching a fresh

being shot earlier

it

had ever cared

felt like an eternity, the study door finally opened.

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

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

Natalia’s eyes again, “You’re not fine You’ve lost so much blood.”

a tough one He’ll be fine Don’t worry

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