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.

for Emma to sit next

once again, she couldn't ignore the fact that Brianna was one of her

door expectantly. "It's been

heavily. She has been informed about Brianna's state of health, but still, Alexander befig called her husband. was a bit

wholeheartedly at Brianna

relationship. A relationship that Alexander himself destroyed without a second

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 she had waited for he,

1/2

Chapter 49

hepselt

four jugelf sake and her twins worth more than her

Brianna, trying to play

barely a whisper. "Perhaps one

her arm softly and smiled. Brianna hadn't smile! like this in four years aside

was tokw

heading out of the the hospital, a family voice scoffed. "So, it's

tame back!

leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, glaring at her. Her eyes were