Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 80

Her fingers tightened on her phone, and a guttural growl escaped her throat. She had never felt rage this strongly, nor with such futility-once at the world, once at herself. How could things go so wrong so fast?

It had been an accident, she reminded herself for the umpteenth time. She hadn't meant to spill wine on Emma last night. But her unrepentant reaction afterward? That was her downfall. At the time, she hadn't thought much of it-the crowd had appeared to be amused, laughing along in a way, until the truth about Emma's identity had shattered the room.

Now, everyone who cheered her on had turned against her. Hypocrites.

She burst into the bathroom, getting ready for what was surely going to be the worst day of her life. By the time she emerged from her apartment, fully dressed in neutral colors with jumbo sunglasses covering much of her face, the scene outside had become complete chaos: paparazzi and furious passersby pressed up against her gated property, yelling both questions and accusations.

She pushed through them with the help of her gatekeeper. Slamming the door shut, she gripped the steering wheel tightly as she sped toward her father's company headquarters. Her mind raced with possible excuses, apologies-anything to mitigate the storm she was about to face.

She approached the high-rise building, parked in a hurry, and rushed to the top floor. Her father's office was right in front of her, like the gates of hell. Jane stood outside the door, heaving as she tried to prepare herself.

At last, she knocked lightly and stepped inside. Suddenly, a blow came our of nowhere, a strong slap that sent her reeling For a moment her vision blurred with black dots at the sides of her eyes, clutching at her face, she stumbled backward. "You imbecile!" he roared red-faced. "What in the fuck were you thinking last night?"

She couldn't even meet his stare. She said nothing but her lip quivered in effort to choke back the dammed-up tears.

"Do you have the slightest notion of what this disaster has caused How much in which your stupidity has cost us?"

"I-I am so sorry, Daddy. She had stammered with tears glistening down her cheeks.

going to fix this? Our stocks are in free fall, Jane! Our reputation is in tatters!

sank into a chair, her hands shaking. She had never seen her father this

public apology," he continued, pacing furiously. "But that won't be enough. Not by a long shot. If we don't

want me to do?" she asked weakly, her

press release. You're going to grovel in front of the world, and you're going to mean it "Dad" Jane's voice cracked as

even further. "I have never been more serious in my life. You don't fix this, I will disown you.

plead her case, but the unrelenting anger in her father's eyes silenced her. He wasn't

trembling hands, she nodded, swallowing the lump

to her. "Good. Now get out of my

III

2/2

Tue, Dec

in a mess she made, unsure which direction might lead to freedom. Emma woke up to the sound of her phone buzzing incessantly on the nightstand. Reaching for it groggily, she squinted at the caller ID-her mother. With a soft sigh, she

in a voice

you feeling today?" Mrs. Walker's voice was warm and cheerful, cutting

great, Mom.

mother exclaimed, the joy practically

way better than anyone could have foreseen. Their company's stock prices