Chapter 36

She sat by Emily's bedside, sinking in a storm of thoughts about the hospital, then felt a little squeeze on her hand. She looked down; a small, fragile smile appeared as sleepy eyes opened.

"Mom, where am I?" The voice was soft, confused, from Emily.

Emma gave a reassuring smile and brushed a hand over Emily's hair. "You're at the hospital, sweetheart. How do you feel?"

"Mais. I was at school," Emily murmured, her face scrunched up in confusion. Emma's heart ached with her innocence. She swallowed hard, fighting back the tears threatening to spill. "Yes, you were, baby: But you needed just a little check-up, so I brought you here while you were sleeping" Emily pouted, looking around the sterile hospital room. "But I hate hospitals."

Emma let out a soft laugh; she wanted to lighten the mood. "I know, I hate hospitals too. We both do-that's something we

have in common."

"Where's Ethan?" Emily asked, her voice barely above a whisper

"He's at home, safe and sound," Emma replied, squeezing her daughter's hand to give her comfort.

mother's face. "Mom. am

firm at once. "No, baby, no one is dying. We're just here for a

I was in class. I remember Mrs. Parker was teaching us," Emily murmured, confused

be fine, Emma whispered back, her

Emily contorted her face, and her eyes welled up with tears. I don't wanna die, Mommy, she whispered in that high-pitched voice as the crack shook her firm

a surge of fierce determination coursed through her. She

happen. No one is yet gently, held Emily's gaze fast with hers-her eyes welling up with tears. "You will not die, Emily," she said, the full force of her emotion now making her tone firm, her words almost a vow You

words from her daughter finally broke down the fragments of hesitation that she struggled to hold on to. She had sworn never to return to Blackthorn, but her daughter's

determination solidified in Emma's mind. She needed to act now, no matter what that required. Her

next morning, she would go back to her homeland; the only thing that mattered now was her daughter's life. The very thought of touching her foot again in Blackthorn soil sent a shiver down her

over on a silver platter. After some thinking,

the documents: passports, medical files-everything to make her new identity absolutely watertight. She signed the referral document for Emily's treatment at Blackthorn Hospital and so set the wheels in motion. By morning, her

Dec 17 toti.

her sorrow unspoken. She would miss Emma and her grandchildren so much, yet Mrs. Walker knew what lay in the balance. She hugged

promised, feeling the heaviness of her mother's worry yet strengthened by her support.

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