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.

the picture of Marina's white, terror-stricken face played in her mind. The way she had stared at Emma as if she was staring

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 tired lately, and she believed the growth of her baby bump was going a bit too fast. Her heart skipped a beat as the doctor walked

said, smiling at the

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

"That's right.

room spun just a little

Chapter 6

Twins!

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pain her ex-husband has caused

babies growing inside her, overwhelming love and responsibility suffocated her. She whispered out soft promise to them: "I'll give you the best I can. I'll love you both

routine, finding solace in the flowers and the rhythm of her

caught her attention. There was a tall man at the door, in one of those expensive suits. It was one of those presences

commanding

heartbeat stopped for a moment. Veronica wasn't her real name,

warily. "That's me. How can I

She asked me to deliver a message to you." Emma's eyes shot wide

Walker?" she echoed. "Is she all

"But she would like to speak with

stood there, staring at the envelope in her hand,

shop and opened the envelope carefully. Inside, there was no long

House, Floor 69, 9

blinked, reading the note

House? Her breath caught in