Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 126

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Emma hunched down, pulling her children into a tight embrace Their little arms went around her neck, and shutting her eyes, she drank the moment in. "I shall be gone for three days," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "But I will be back even before you know it. Be good for grandma, Brandon, and nurse Kelly, okay?

Her children nodded. Their faces were a mix of understanding and reluctance. The little one clung on to her, her wee hands grasping onto her mother's jacket. "Promise you'll come back soon, Mommy," she whispered.

"I promise, love," Emma replied, as she pressed a kiss upon her daughter's forehead. "You'll be so busy you won't even notice I'm gone."

Behind them, Brandon watched the tender moment in silence. His eyes lingered on Emma a little too long, his emotion raw from their misunderstanding. He had promised her he would take charge of the hospital visits as she went away, yet the tension between them was heavy in the air. Finally, Emma stood. For one brief second, her eyes met his before looking

away.

The unspoken words hung heavily in the air. Just hours ago, Brandon had confessed his feelings for her, and though she had gently but firmly turned him down, the sting of it lingered for both of them. She doubted if things between them could ever go back to how they were.

Mrs. Walker's voice cut through the silence. "Emma, would you bring me something of Diana's when you come back? I'd like to feel close to her again." Emma nodded and hugged her mother.

The ride was silent, with the weight of their unresolved emotions bearing down upon them. He glanced at her every now and then, but Emma kept her eyes firmly fixed on the window.

of them," Emma said

his voice firm, but his heart was torn as he watched her disappear into the terminal. He had declared his love, and she had rejected him. It hurt much more than he would acknowledge, but he would

and focused on his promise to Emma. He drove Emily to the hospital for her session, keeping her spirits high with stories and

about her company and trying to distract herself in its pages. The privacy of the room-like space soothed her, gave her a chance to gather her thoughts. But unbeknownst to Emma, the inhabitant

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was not hungry. Annie's absence weighed on his mind. For the second time that week, she had left

couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of his stomach. Their relationship was far from perfect, but she and their baby were his responsibility. The thought of her not getting

and turned to Kevin, his personal assistant. "We'll visit Annie at the hospital before heading to

Wed,

Chapter 126

replied, following closely behind him as they

journey was quiet as it always was, until suddenly one

without hesitation, bringing it to his car. His face darkened almost instantly as the voice on the other end relayed

Kevin shivered at the tone, a tone he'd heard only a few times before, and always when the news was dire. "Tutn the car around and book my flight immediately. We're leaving the