Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 87

Emma clenched her fists until her fingernails bit into the soft skin of her palms. She would not give up-not yet. Adam ha walked away, but she knew there was more to come. If he wouldn't talk, she'd find another way Ethan. For the innocent children who had died. For the justice they all deserved.

With a new firmness in her voice, Emma got to her feet. The fight wasn't over. Not by a long shot. expose the truth. For

Emma walked out of prison with her heart torn to pieces. She had gone inside with the hope of some sort of breakthroug glimmer that justice would prevail for her son and the innocent children affected. Instead, matters had just gotten worse, leaving her with more questions than answers.

Sliding into the backseat of her car, she let out a shaky breath and rested her head against the cool window. The blurred lights of the city mirrored her turbulent thoughts. As the driver pulled into traffic, her phone rang sharply, cutting throug the heavy silence.

Emma glanced at the screen and immediately picked up. "Good evening, ma'am," her personal assistant greeted, her voice trembling with panic.

Emma frowned, and the distraction, emotional depletion, made her tune out of everything else. "Good evening," she murmured absent-mindedly, "Ma'am. have you seen the news?"

The urgency in her assistant's tone snapped Emma out of her haze. She straightened in her seat. "What's going on?"

"It's about your mother, the assistant said, her words cautious but hurried.

dropped. "What

to

she pulled up the news on her phone. Her heart dropped at the sight of the headline: "Mrs. Elizabeth Walker Spotted at Her Daughter Apartment

heavier her hands shook. It went on to describe the unexpected appearance of her mother, paparazzi frenzy, and even speculation about a family rift. She felt a wave of frustration and concern wash over her. Maina just wasn't strong enough to travel-she'd struggled with her

seat beside her, then her emotions spiralled-anger and guilt swarmed inside her "Drive faster," she instructed her driver. As they neared the apartment, she could perceive a sea of paparazzi surrounding the building as their cameras

car stopped. Her heart was racing as she ran up the stairs two at a time, desperate to find her mother and understand what

her took her aback. Her mother sat in the living room, looking frail but dignified, while Ethan and Emily giggled on either side

one tentative step forward Mom" she

cold as stone. Im waing

as she took a step closer. "Mom, I can

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Chapter 87

her feet and slapped Emma across

Tears welled in her eyes, not from the pain but from the utter disbelief. Her mother had never hit her before. This was uncharted territory. How could you?" Elizabeth exploded, her voice breaking in rage and pain.

washed over Emma's face and tightened her chest. "Mom, I'm so sorry," she whispered, breaking into sobs. "At the time, I had thought it was best. I didn't want to burden you. You have gone through so much already- Elizabeth lifted a hand to quiet her. With a heavy sigh, she let herself sink back into the chair as the fight seemed to drain from her. The fire in her eyes faded and was replaced by