The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

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."

Natalia tried 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 me go!"

She could run, but Magnus was in a wheelchair and had to protect her. How was that possible?

Ignoring her pleas, Magnus wheeled towards the car, tossing Natalia inside. "Stay inside, darling."

"What about you?" She saw Magnus' wheelchair slide to the right. Then he pulled a gun from his waist. "Boom boom!" A couple shots and two black men over there went down. Linden immediately opened the car door, "Sir, get in."

Magnus jumped into the car, bullets hitting the door as it slammed shut. They sped away from the hospital, leaving chaos in their wake.

Inside the car, Magnus' shoulder was bleeding profusely. Linden looked at him anxiously, "Sir, we need to get you to a hospital."

"No hospitals," Magnus insisted, knowing that they would be walking into a trap.

Natalia, seeing the 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 a hospital." Magnus reassured her, "It's okay. Linden can take care of it. It's too dangerous to go to a hospital."

Natalia nodded, her tears staining her coat as Magnus' blood seeped into the fabric.

Ten minutes later, thet finally arrived at the villa.

Once there, Linden helped Magnus 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 wait outside." Natalia retreated, her clothes stained with Magnus' blood. She felt an intense pain in her chest, a feeling of helplessness she had never experienced before.

Suddenly, a car pulled 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 into the study, leaving Natalia alone.

She took a shower, changing into a clean set of clothes and fetching a fresh shirt for Magnus.

Natalia 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 hadn't been for her, he wouldn't have been shot as the wheelchair slid slowly with an extra person in it.

No one, except for Hector, had ever cared about her like that.

After what felt like an eternity, the study door finally opened. Natalia rushed over, "How is he?"

Carter 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 help him get cleaned up and change his clothes?"

Natalia nodded, entering the study. 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."

Tears welled up in Natalia's eyes again, "You're not fine. You've lost so much blood."

Dr. Frankie laughed, "Mrs. Andersen, Magnus is a tough one. He'll be fine. Don't worry."

Natalia thanked Dr. Frankie, 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 be there, by his side. After Dr. Frankie stepped out, Natalia gently tucked a blanket over Magnus, "Does it hurt much?"

Observing the girl's furrowed brows, her expression painted with worry, Magnus felt a softness in his heart, "I'm fine, darling."

Looking at his exhausted face, Natalia said, "If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have been hurt."

Magnus cracked a smile, "You're my wife, protecting you is my duty. You were scared, weren't you?"

For a moment, Natalia lost herself in the sight of his gentle yet handsome face. This man had been injured protecting her. She owed him so much more.

Before long, Carter and Dr. Frankie left. When Natalia stepped out, she saw several men in black suits outside their house. Without asking, she knew they were bodyguards sent by Magnus. She still couldn't figure out, who was trying to kill them.

Half an hour later, she went to the kitchen to cook some chicken soup for Magnus. As she pushed open the door to the study, she found him sleeping peacefully on the bed. He was probably still under the effect of the anesthesia.

Natalia gently placed the soup on the table, and sat by the bed, gazing at the man lying there. Even in his sleep, his handsome face revealed a certain authority.

Slowly, some color returned to his face. His breathing was even, and Natalia quietly watched the IV drip next to him. A dull ache throbbed in her heart.