Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter

6

"I was so scared I could hardly think straight on the way here to the hospital. I have told you numerous times Aunt that have got to quit going out on your own!" The lady's voice was trembling with fear and frustration as the words tumbled rapidly from her lips and her legs hurrying toward Mrs. Walker's bedside.

you

Still pale from her ordeal, but with her eyes twinkling with gratitude, Mrs. Walker cast a faint smile. "You should be thanking this young lady instead," she said softly, gesturing toward Emma She's the reason I'm still alive."

The woman's eyes followed Mrs. Walker's, and her face went pale as they fell on Emma. She caught her breath, her lips parting in disbelief. She swayed slightly upon her feet, as though the sight of Emma had knocked the wind out of her. "Wha... Who..." The woman's voice faltered, her hand going up to her mouth staring at Emma wide-eyed.

"I thought the same thing when I first saw her," Mrs. Walker said evenly enough, though there was a deep sorrow underlying her words. "For a moment, I thought that it was a ghost I was seeing."

The woman, who later introduced herself as Marina, seemed to fight for composure, her hands shaking as she extended one toward Emma for a handshake. Emma took it with caution, her heart racing with questions. Why had this woman looked at her as though she'd seen an ghost?

"Hello," Marina'said, her voice still trembling, but she forced a smile. "I'm Marina Banks, Mrs. Walker's niece. Thank you. for saving my aunt's life."

"You're welcome," Emma replied in a low voice, still clearly trying to put together what was happening. "I'm Veronica Moore."

Marina's hand wrapped a little tighter around Emma's before letting go, and with her free hand, she wiped away the few tears that has began rolling down the corner of her eyes. "You, you look exactly like my late cousin. Diana. May her soul rest in peace." Her voice cracked at this, and she immediately blinked back the moisture threatening to spill over from her eyes.

"I'm so sorry," Emma murmured, not knowing what else to say. A strange sense of unease filling her chest.

"It's alright," Marina whispered, though her voice shook. She sat down beside Mrs. Walker, hugging her arm protectively about her aunt's frail shoulders. "Aunt, don't cry. I'm here now." She stroked Mrs. Walker's hand softly, trying to comfort her, though she looked pretty shaken herself.

Emma felt like she was intruding on a deeply personal moment, an emotional undercurrent she didn't fully understand. She gave a small nod and quietly excused herself from the room, her mind still reeling from the encounter.

Her coworkers greeted her as a heroine back at the flower shop, their adoration a sharp contrast to the whirlwind of emotions Emma had just experienced. They offered her the rest of the day off, but Emma politely declined, needing the distraction of work to calm her mind.

terror-stricken face played in her mind. The way she had stared at Emma as if she was staring at a long-dead

few days later, Emma sat in the doctor's office, hands protective over her tummy as she awaited the update. She had been feeling a bit more

have a surprise for you today," the doctor said, smiling at the chart. "You're

surprise and shock as the doctor's words rang in her head and she

doctor nodded. "That's right. Two healthy

in Emma's throat and the room spun just a little

Chapter 6

Twins!

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not one but two children. A tide of emotions catapulted within her: fear, excitement, love, and above all, gratitude. For all the pain her ex-husband has caused her in the past, she found herself silently thanking him for at least giving her these precious lives,

two babies growing inside her, overwhelming love and responsibility

with the demands of work at the flower shop. Emma threw herself into her routine, finding solace in the flowers and the rhythm of her daily tasks. And gradually, Mrs. Walker's incident faded into the

bouquet beside the window, the doorbell above the shop entrance caught her attention. There was a tall man at the door, in one of those expensive suits. It was one of those presences commanding immediate attention, and the shop fell

with a deep, commanding voice. "I'm looking for Miss

Veronica wasn't her real name, and hardly anyone asked for her

moved forward warily. "That's me. How can I

Emma of Alexander. "I'm here on behalf of Mrs. Walker. She asked me to deliver a message to you." Emma's eyes shot wide with shock

Walker?" she echoed. "Is she all right?" She added

"But she would like to speak

and wordlessly walked out of the flower shop. Emma stood there, staring at the envelope in her hand, her heart pounding in curiosity. What

opened the envelope carefully. Inside, there was no long message, no

Floor 69, 9

note again, her mind

House? Her breath