Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 7

Emma asked for a day off at the flower shop, and Mrs. Sarah Hayes granted it without much questioning. Her kind eyes filled with understanding.

Dressed in her most expensive suit, Emma stood before the towering skyscraper, its glass facade glinting under the morning sun, and let out a heavy sigh. The weight of the day pressed down on her. She felt a knot tightening in her stomach.

With every step towards the reception, her heart drummed louder, echoing in her ears. Approaching the polished counter, the world around her grew dim as she held out to the receptionist the crisply letter that the man given to her yesterday. The seconds the receptionist's eyes landed on her, her expression shifted; the color drained from her face, and she struggled to breathe. Emma was caught in a moment that felt all too familiar because It was the exact reaction Marina had given her that day in the hospital, and her discomfort flared up once more, prickling her skin.

Why do they all look at me like that? She thought, the anger and curiosity combining in her stomach. She took a deep breath then, forcing herself to look away from the receptionist, trying to appear as casual as possible. Even if she did happe to look a lot like Mrs. Walker's dead daughter, there was no way anyone could actually confuse her with a person who was n longer alive.

"This way, ma'am." The receptionist finally managed, her voice quivering with politeness overdone, and motioned to the elevator.

Emma nodded, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, and stepped forward. But as she entered the elevator, she fe the stares of the bystanders follow her.

She stepped onto the 69th floor in less than a minute, confused, her heart pounding with uncertainty. The sleek, modern decor felt all too familiar to her, and she hesitated, not sure where to go next. But before she could gather her wits, her silence was sliced by a sharp and accusing voice. "What are you doing here?" Marina asked, her look miles away from cordia eyes slit under suspicion.

Emma stuttered, words tumbling in her throat. "Well, Mrs. Walker sent for me."

"She-"

frail voice. "I called for

stance falling into one of professionalism as she inclined her head slightly. "I wasn't informed." Emma took a deep breath and then walked past Marina. The thick silence between them as heavy as a rock. She followed Mrs. Walker into her multimillion-dollar

tried to steady her nervous system. Tea was served out of exquisitely delicate glass cups that made her own wardrobe seem almost comically inexpensive. The fragile cup

time to meet with me." She paused, studying

weight of the moment settled around them, her

realized I never really took the time to thank you for saving my life. I really wouldn't

replied, quiet, her

just shook her head, something deeper in her

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Dec 17

Chapter 7

hands in surprising tenderness. "No, I didn't thank you in a way that befits

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Mrs. Walker had reached into her sleek leather bag and extended an envelope toward her. One of those grand yet personal gestures that

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