Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Emma's eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat as she froze. Still unable to form words, she stared after him as he opened the door, stepped out, and firmly closed the door behind him. A surge of panic had her bolting after him, her steps cautious in case she woke Ethan. Reaching the elevator just as the doors slid shut, she pounded on them in frustration, her voice rising in desperation. "You can't do that, Alexander!" she screamed, her voice trembling with anger and despair. "Those children's lives are in question!"

But the elevator went down, carrying Alexander out of reach. Standing there, Emma clutched her fists onto the cold metal doors. Her mind was racing. She bit hard on her bottom lip, holding back frustration tears as she went storming back to Ethan's room.

Dropping herself into the chair by the window, Emma buried her face in her hands. The weight of the situation weighed heavily upon her. She blamed herself for pushing Alexander, for letting her emotions get the better of her. If she had kept her temper in check, maybe he wouldn't have refused the offer.

Her heart was bleeding for the children who were still fighting for their lives. She simply couldn't clear the vision of the weeping parents she had just passed. Their wails ringing in her head. Lives would probably be lost if Alexander clung on to his decision, and it would be a guilt she would carry all her life with her.

Emma wiped away the tears streaking her cheeks and glared into her laptop, determination flaring in her eyes. She might have failed to persuade Alexander, but she wasn't giving up.

She would find some other way. Whatever it would take, she was determined those children were going to get the care they deserved.

A few hours later, Emma was standing in front of Alexander's office door; her determination was shaken, but what she wanted to do and why was crystal clear in her mind. She had to talk to him, reason with him for the children's sake. She took a deep breath and walked over to his secretary, who looked at her from her desk and greeted her with a smile that didn't quite reach her heavily made-up face.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but Mr. Black isn't available at the moment." The secretary politely said. Emma's eyes narrowed, and for a second, she did not believe her. "I'll check for myself." she firmly said, pushing past the woman before she could stop her.

back in his chair loosely, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, tie loose, and the top two buttons of his shirt undone. His hair was just a little ruffled, as if he had been running his

the thoughts as she tried to focus on why she

file on his desk though she knew he was aware

she said, her voice firmer than

onto hers. "We have nothing to talk about, Mrs. Black." he responded, his

said her name "Mrs. Black" was a

hard, forcing herself to move closer, though

children," she told him, her voice shaking slightly but filled with desperation. "I went through hell convincing my boss to fund their treatment. Don't let my efforts go

leaned back in his chair and subjected her to the unnerving force of his scrutiny. "I am really interested in this 'relationship' you have with your boss." he said, his tone heavy with accusation.

Emma's spine, but she was not going to let him see her break down. "Not every boss is as cold as you,

and he stood, his towering frame closing the distance between them in few purposeful strides. The air grew thick with tension and Emma instinctively stepped back, though she hated that he

mockingly, his voice low dangerous. "Funny. I seem to remember you

moved backward, again trapped under the crushing weight of his stare. She

before I realized who I was dealing with, Mr. Black." She replied, her voice trembling from fear