Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 126

8530

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.

and Brandon readied himself to take her to the airport. 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

them," Emma said quietly, her voice

as he watched her disappear into the terminal. He had declared his love, and she had rejected him. It

emotions and focused on his promise to Emma. He drove Emily to the hospital for her session, keeping her spirits high with stories and jokes, masking the turmoil he felt

pulling out the magazine 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 of the first class cabin right next to

ΔΑΛΛΑ

playing with the food on his plate. He was not hungry. Annie's absence weighed on his mind. For the second time that week, she had left 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 the best possible care gnawed at him. Transferring her to

hospital before heading to the office," he said, his tone firm as he

Wed,

Chapter 126

following closely behind him

started the engine and began driving toward the hospital. The journey was quiet as it always was, until suddenly one phone rang loud, breaking the silence. He looked at

it to his car. His face darkened almost instantly as the voice on the other end relayed urgent news. His grip on the phone tightened,

the tone, a tone he'd heard only a