Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 96

952%

Emma's heart raced as she clutched the hastily written note in her hand. The moment she heard that Adam Hersel had come out of his coma and was asking to talk to her, she didn't need any more time to think. The days of unanswered questions, sleepless nights, and endless speculation had wor her thin, and finally, here was a chance for answers-for justice!

With keys in her hand, Emma shot out of the apartment, deaf to the calls of her frail mother and the inquiring gazes of her children. She was at a loss for words, her mind already racing with what Adam was about to reveal.

She flew over city streets, her knuckles white as her fingers gripped the wheel tightly. Her breathing was shallow; anticipation pulled tight across her chest. The hospital came into view, and she barely registered the act of parking as threw her car into park and stepped out.

Emma's legs moved purposefully, her steps quick and sure, until she reached the door of the hospital. Then her pace faltered. Alexander and Annie were walking toward the same door.

she

The sight of them together sent a sharp pang through her chest. She tried to shake it off, pushing the memory of Alexander's kiss the day before into the recesses of her mind. This was not the time for emotional distractions. There were bigger things at stake.

She quickened her pace in hopes of passing them unacknowledged. Her head was held high, her determination unwavering, but a voice sliced through the air and stopped her in her tracks.

"Emma." Annie called, her tone sweet but laced with venom.

Emma turned to her, her expression neutral, though her pulse quickened. Annie being there wasn't only a bother-it was an

Dimen.

Annie picked up her pace, leaving Alexander trailing behind her, her face a mask of controlled urgency,

Annie's mind was racing as she approached Emma. She couldn't believe her bad luck. That morning had already been at nightmare-Alexander's phone call confirming Adam's awakening had been like a death knell. She had spent the entire drive to the hospital in a silent, suffocating panic, her heart thudding painfully in her chest. Every second had felt like an eternity, and now, as if the universe were mocking her, here was Emma.

And few feet of distance away Annie stood the woman who could unravel everything she had carefully worked out. Annie's tummy knotted. She had to get her brain into fast forward. She couldn't allow Emma anywhere near Adam.

"Emma, what brings you here so early?" Annie's voice was even, but her smile strained, her hand instinctively going to rest on her flat stomach, the act of the concerned, expectant mother,

She turned slowly, her expression composed, even as a storm raged inside.

"I could ask you the same thing. Emma returned coolly, her sharp gaze locking onto Annie's. She didn't have time for whatever game Annie was playing.

The sea of hospital workers and visitors milling in the hallway served as a stern reminder that she had to keep her cool, even as her patience was worn razor-thin. She could feel the anger simering in her, threatening to spill over. What she'd like to do was strike out at Annie-to rip this mask of sugary sweetness right off her face, and now. But Emma knew better than to do such. Annie's farce would fall of its own accord in due course, and the truth would lay her bare.

The words of Adam Hersel would be the genesis of Annie's undoing. Emma almost tasted the justice waiting around the corner. She swallowed her bitterness and used a neutral tone.

"How may I help you?" Emma asked, cold, her face inscrutable.

Annie tilted her head slightly; the smile on her face was about as real as the concern in her voice. "How are you doing, Emma? How are the kids? Especially little Ethan?"-all sugar in her voice, but the smug undertone wasn't lost on Emma.

1/2

III

52

Chapter 96

Before she could respond. Alexander shouldered his way between them, his rich cologne freshening the air. It was a sharp. commanding scent, as befitted the man himself. The merest echo of last evening's encounter stirred in Emma's memory. unwanted and unwelcome. Her heart leapt a beat; for one still moment, her breath caught. Fast, she shook her head, resolutely focusing on the scene unfolding around her.

"They're doing just fine," Emma replied curtly, her voice clipped. She took a step forward, her body language signaling her desire to end the conversation, "If you'll excuse me-

But Annie wasn't done.

I can only imagine how terrifying that must have been for you that day, Annie said, loud enough to be heard by the onlookers within earshot. Her hand was dramatically placed over her stomach in a maternally protective manner. "I am going to be a mother soon. I don't know what I'd do if anything like that ever happened to my child"

Emma stopped dead in her tracks, her teeth clenching. Her fists balled by her sides as she suppressed all desire to wheel around and hit Annie there and then. She did not have the time for this sham today.

"I don't have time for this," Emma said flatly, leaving no room for further discussion. She walked away briskly, focusing on Adam's room. She refused to let Annie's words get under her skin, but the tightness in her chest betrayed her growing frustration.

But Annie wasn't letting go that easily.

Fear coursed through Annie's veins, her heart pounding while she watched the receding figure of Emma. A blind panic clawed at her, its icy grip suffocating. She couldn't afford for Emma to speak with Adam-couldn't let her get the truth out. If Emma reached him, it was all over.

Emma!" Annie called, her voice trembling as she scurried after her heels clicking on the polished floor of the hospital, loud in the quiet hallway.

Emma didn't stop, She didn't turn. She wasn't about to waste another second on Annie and her desperate antics. She did hear the footsteps behind her, though, and how Annie was closing in.

"Emma, wait!" Annie's voice now broke with real terror.

Emma slowed, never stopping, and turned briefly to the back, her eyes narrowing as desperation was etched across Annie's features. It was a peculiarly satisfying sight, yet Emma's face betrayed no hint of emotion.