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.”

to protest, 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 her head, she saw a fresh stream of blood trickling down his shoulder She panicked, “Magnus, you’re hurt! Let

Magnus was in a wheelchair and had to

her pleas, Magnus wheeled towards the car, tossing Natalia inside “Stay

slide to the right. Then he pulled a gun from his waist

the car

hitting the door as it slammed shut. They sped away

Chapter 40

leaving chaos in their

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

insisted, knowing that they would be walking

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

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

her coat as Magnus‘ blood seeped

thet finally arrived

a study, locking the door behind them. Natalia tried to follow, but Linden stopped her, “Ms. Natalia, I need to remove the bullet. It

stained with Magnus‘ blood. She felt an intense pain

Dr. Frankie reassured Natalia, “It’s okay, I’ll take care of him.” He and Carter disappeared into the study, leaving Natalia alone.

a clean set of clothes and fetching a

sat on the couch 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, and if

it

except for Hector, had ever

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

looked at the anxious girl with a slight smile. He s okay, we got the bullet

Magnus laid on a small bed, his face pale but his eyes alert. He smiled weakly at Natalia, “Don’t worry, darling, I’m fine

in Natalia’s eyes again, “You’re not

is a tough one

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 be then