Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Emma dialed a familiar number, her fingers lingering on the buttons as she thought of her mother. She hadn't called i while, the weight of distance and time making the need to hear her mother's voice almost unbearable. As she raised th phone to her ear, her heart beat a little faster with each ring. Finally, after five rings, Mrs. Walker's voice filled the line, weaker than Emma remembered.

"Mom," Emma said, her voice trembling as she fought back tears

"My dear, how are you?" Mrs. Walker's voice was soft, each word slow, like it took all her strength to speak.

"Good, but I miss you, mother. I can't wait to be with you again

"And me too, Emma, but Emily has to come first. I'm old and will die, and the happy woman of death approaches now. Having you and my babies is more than enough for me, Emma.

"Mom, don't talk like that. No one is dying. We will soon be back

As if sensing her mother's sadness, little Emily suddenly tugged at her hand. "Mom, I want to talk to Grandma," she said. small voice full of excitement.

Emma handed her daughter the phone, giving Emily a smile before leaving the room to compose herself. She had so m to handle that morning, her mind running through the endless list of responsibilities. Emma handed Emily the phone and walked out of the room; she had a lot on her plate this morning.

On her way to the hospital, Emma dropped Ethan off at his new daycare, which wasn't that far away from the hospital in case of emergency, and headed into the hospital after taking a deep sigh. Today marked another episode of her life, an episode she wished she could put an end to before it could even begin.

After making sure her daughter was being attended to by the doctors who were now aware of her recent agreement with Alexander and promise to look after her daughter, she left for Ms. Brianna's VIP room.

She knocked twice and stepped inside, hoping that the older woman was asleep, but as fate would have it, Brianna was wic awake, and her weak eyes brightened up the moment she spotted Emma.

Emma to sit

told. Although Emma was happy to reunite with the old woman once again, she couldn't ignore the fact that Brianna was one of her past, and one way or another working as Brianna's caregiver means running into Alexander at

the door expectantly. "It's been so long since last saw you

but still, Alexander befig called her husband. was

Brianna "Mother, why

about Emma and Alexander's past relationship. A

hard to bury resurfaced, filling her with an ache that was as raw as the day she'd signed those divorce papers. She remembered the night

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Chapter 49

hepselt

here four jugelf sake and her twins worth more than her

to play along

a whisper. "Perhaps one of these days we will try and find time to visit

hadn't smile! like this in four years aside from that after Emma ran into

our ahs finally it was tokw for Emma

Emily's wrist in the hallway, heading out of the the hospital, a family voice scoffed. "So, it's true.

tame back!

Vivian, her stance arrogant as she leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, glaring at