Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter

38

She was up early the next morning, determined that this day would start off differently. She made her twins' favorite breakfast, hoping the warm start would give them comfort in this strange, all-too-familiar city. Getting them dressed and ready, she dropped them off at daycare, tugging slightly at her heart as she waved goodbye. They were her world, and every move she made here was for them.

Dressed in a light layer of makeup, a scarf, and her sunglasses firmly on, Emma entered Blackthorn Hospital. It was years since she had tried hiding herself, and the memories only served to pull the knot in her stomach a little tighter. She came up to the receptionist and did her best to sound steady while introducing herself. Carolyn Smith, mother of Emily Smith, referred to your hospital.

The receptionist's fingers flew across the keyboard, her face stoic until she scrolled down Emily's file. Emma's heart quickened as she soon whisked away to another floor to meet with a doctor; this was it-she had to believe the movement was progress, that she could give Emily the care she needs here.

Inside the doctor's office, Emma watched him read through the Ele, with every word read, his expression changed-the severity of Emily's condition. Finally, he looked up with a heavy face full of sympathy.

"Your daughter's case is very unique," he began, his voice soft. "I'm so sorry for what she's been going through. We've gotten her referral, but.." He hesitated, as if looking for words. "Because it's such a rare case, the CEO needs to sign the referral for us to have any chance of treating her. Without his approval, there is absolutely nothing we can do yet."

Emma stared as the world tilted under her feet. She hardly dared to breathe as the reality set in. The CEO's signature, Alexander's signature, was on the paper staring back at her. She had expected the challenges but not this. She'd known returning meant risking seeing him again, but now her daughter's health was caught up in his approval. It all felt like a twisted game.

Emma's heart began to race as she leaned forward, her frustration barely contained. Then please, pass on the file to him. Til pay whatever it takes, as long as my daughter gets the treatment he needs. I didn't come all this way to just be stalled by red tape." The doctor exhaled and remained patient, though firm, in his countenance. It doesn't work that way, ma'am."

Patience snapped, Emma demanded, "Get to the point," her voice colder than she intended. She hadn't flown around the world to listen to excuses.

doctor shifted uncomfortably. The CEO is only here once every two weeks, He has other obligations, other businesses and he

course, it was. She had known about Alexander's impossible schedule, but in the mad dash to get here, she'd forgotten somehow. But two more

to wait two weeks before her treatment even starts?" Her

CEO approved the referral, there was simply nothing we could do." Emma sprang to her feet, her anger blazing. This is an emergency. Surely your CEO can make an exception!

and out of the office, not awaiting an answer, her veins coursing with the flow of her anger. Somewhere out there, the man who held her daughter's fate in his hands was no doubt indulging in his

night Emma lay awake, staring at the ceiling while her mind ran wildly with worry and frustration. She had come here as fast as possible to get Emily the desperately needed treatmer but now. this. She looked over at Emruly, who fast slept on the bed, her little face serene. Emma gently brushed one strand of hair from her daughter's forehead and

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Tue, Dec 1,

Chapter 38

time for bed she called, watching

yet, Mom! I want to watch his interview,

what he

I saw yesterday at the

break. She had been so overwhelmed, she didn't even notice what Ethan was watching. "They're interviewing him on TV

turned off the television. "Ethan, I don't want you talking about that man. You have

he seemed nice, Mom. He even