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.”

Magnus arms, the gunfire and screams echoing around them. Suddenly, she heard Magnus grunt in pain.

a wheelchair and had to protect her How was that

wheeled towards the car, tossing Natalia inside “Stay

you?” She saw Magnus‘ wheelchair slide to the right. Then he pulled a gun from his waist “Boom boom!” A

car door, “Sir get in

into the car, bullets hitting the door as it slammed

Chapter 40

the hospital, leaving chaos in their

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

that they would be walking into a trap.

cry. She took off her coat, pressing it against his wound. “There’s a bullet inside. We need to

her, “It’s okay. Linden can take care of it. It’s too dangerous

as Magnus‘ blood seeped into

finally arrived at the

into a 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 you

clothes stained with Magnus‘ blood. She felt an intense pain in her chest,

quickly 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

of clothes and fetching a fresh shirt for

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 cared about her like

study door finally opened. Natalia rushed over, “How

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

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

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

a

realized that she