Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 58

When they arrived, Alexander practically jumped out of the cartriding into the hospital with a sense of urgency that made people step out of his way. He ignored the front desk and continged directly to the elevator, pushing the button labeled VIP Floor. Reaching the door to

Emma's room, his heart thudding in his chest, he didn't even bother to knock but simply pushed it open.

Two pairs of eyes turned towards him as he entered: Emma's, wh her exhaustion and pain; and Jaden's, full of hostility that was guarded well. Alexander's gaze brielly fluttered towards Emily, who slept serenely on a small hospital bed provided for her. His chest seemed to tighten even further.

"I just heard what happened." he said, his voice filled with a mix worry and frustration as he walked toward Emma He ignored the piercing glare Jaden shot at him.

Jaden took one step forward, standing protectively in front of Emma. "Haven't you and your girlfriend done enough damage?" he growled.

Alexander's icy gaze locked onto Jaden. "I am not here for you, boy," he asked gently, his usual confidence wavering under the weight of worry

"Leave, Alexander." Emma's voice was so low, but the weight of her words hit like a hammer. Her expression was unreadable, though her trembling hands betrayed her. "I don't want more trouble."

Alexander's face softened as his gaze shifted to Ethan, who lay motionless in his bed, wired up to wires and machinery. It tugged at his heart. "How is he?" he asked softly, some of the customarily stressed machismo gone from his tone as his brow frowed in concern. Emma turned back to him, her eyes pooling with unshed tears. "You should leave," she said, her voice cracking. "We're not your responsibility. We'll take care of ourselves.

started to say, but

moving restlessly in her sleep. Immediately, Emma moderated her tone, looking at her daughter before continuing. "We don't

jaw went tight, anger rising, but he didn't raise his voice. "I'll

voice rising again. She whirled back, her face streaked with tears, "We don't need you swooping in like some savior, Alexander. Just leave us

stepped closer, his voice as cold and firm as ice. "She's right. You have caused enough damage. This may be your hospital, but we have rights

time to Ethan, his heart heavy. He wanted to protest, wanted to stay, but the look on Emma's face told him it would only cause her more pain. And that was the last thing he

didn't say another word, only turned and was gone: the doorswung shut behind him. Emma let out a trembling breath as she sagged down in the chair beside Ethan's bed, taking his small, pale hand in her own. Silent, hot tears streamed down her cheeks as she stared at his face, willing him to wake up, to smile to tell her everything

whispered, though his voice shook with doubt. Emma didn't say a

he turned to Kevin, his voice firm and low. "Considering where the daycare was that accident couldn't have

Chapter 38

already pulling out his phone to make the necessary

in his seat, his jaw clenched as he stared out of the window. The blurred hospital building receded as Kevin drove away. His mind raced to the pain etched on Emma's face and the stillness of Ethan's small

warned him to stay away, to let her handle things on her own, but this time Alexander couldn't obey. For once, he wanted to be her knight in shining armor, even if she didn't

also want all those videos scrubbed from the internet," he said harply, leaving zero room for an argument. "Every one of them. And

It will be