Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 16

Emma's eyelids flickered open. Her eyes were still fuzzy, though she could dimly see a shape above her,

someone talking to her. All the words were indistinguishable, falling on her ears as just a jumbled murmur, as if

they were coming from miles. away. Not long after, her

eyelids began to get heavy, and she slipped back into darkness.

When she awoke once more, her vision had cleared, and the pounding in her head had dulled enough for her to

make out her surroundings. She was lying on a soft bed in the center of a strange, uncomfortably quiet room.

Her head darted around as confusion swept her, trying to remember how she got there, Just as she was straining

her brain to piece her memories together, the door creaked open and a voice full of relief broke the silence.

"You're awake? Thank lieaven.

Emma turned toward the sound of the voice, her eyes widenin at the sight of Mrs. Walker standing in the

doorway. She struggled to sit up, trying to ignore the ache in her body as she worked to make sense of all that

was going on. "Don't strain yourself, dear. You've got to rest" Mrs. Walker walked toward the bed with a low voice

and her bright eyes shining with genuine concern.

Emma's mind was a jumble, and her confusion grew. "What.. what am | doing here?" she asked, looking around,

still disoriented.

Mrs. Walker took her hand, and the touch was a comforting weight amidst the maelstrom churning in Emma's

mind. "You. don't remember?" She asked, concern fluttering through her eyes "Perhaps that is for the best."

But in that instant, the memories cflooding back with the force of a storm. Pictures of the men, their

laughter jeering the flash of the knife sent her gasping. Her hands instinctively wrapped round her stomach as if

shielding it from harm "My babies!" she shrieked, panic coating her voice. "My children

Mrs. Walker's hand was upon hers the next second, I'm a reassurance way. They're safe, dear. The doctor will be

here in any second. Both of them are perfectly all right"

Relief swelled up in Emma's heart, and the panic loosened just little before hot tears began tumbling down her

face. "Thank you... thank you for everything. Thank you for saving us

Mrs. Walker smiled and waved her thanks away lightly. "Cnow, you've savedin your own way too."

Emma shook her head, overcby emotion. This is different, Mrs, Walker. If you hadn't shown up know what

would have happened to us."

when you

did...

...I don't

Mrs. Walker leaned forward and gently wiped Emma's tears away "No more tears, my dear, you're safe now, and

those men have been apprehended. They're being interrogated as we speak

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"I... I don't know how | can ever thank you, Mrs. Walker, Emmastammered, the shaking still in her voice.

"Please, callElizabeth, Mrs. Walker said warmly. I'd appreciate it if you felt comfortable with me.

Emma was taken aback by her request. It sounded surreal to refer to Mrs. Walker that way, after all, this was the

richest woman in the country. The woman everyone always perceived as untouchable. How how did you know |

was there?" Emma finally asked in a whisper.

Elizabeth's face becgrave. "I was afraid for you, | saw that man running after you, and | cannot get this

feeling out of my mind that something was wrong,

Emma's heart raced at her words. Swallowing hard, she knew Elizabeth must have seen Alexander following her.

Her hands clenched slightly under the covers as fear crept back.

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Chapter 16

"Is it all because of him Mrs. Walker asked, looking into Emma's face for an answer.

"Who?" Emma replied, feigning ignorance, but she knew very well whom Elizabeth meant.

"Alexander Black, CEO of Blackthorn Holdings," Mrs. Walker replied, her voice soft but inquisitive.

Emma's heart was racing as she froze. She had hide everything about her past, but it was only a matter of time

before the, truth unraveled. Forcing a smile, her voice shook. I've only heard about him," she said awkwardly.

"Tve never met him, aside from the brief encounter at the event.....

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Then why would you abruptly leave your apartment that night and end

up sleeping at gas stations??

The room fell silent as Emma scrambled for a reason, her head racing T. 1.."

Elizabeth settled back and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You don't have to tellanything you're not

ready to share, When you feel comfortable, I'll be here to listen."

Just then there ca rap at the door, and a bright, smiling woman entered. "Good morning, Miss Veronica," she

said. "How are you feeling? I'm Dr. Courtney."

Mrs. Walker rose from her chair and smiled at Emma, soft and gentle. "I leave you now," she said, giving Emma's

hand one last reassuring squeeze before stepping out and leaving her to process all that had happened. "Feel at

home.

As Alexander lay back in his private

jet, with Annie beside him, the

incidence of the previous day kept

replaying in his mind. Thoughts qf

shock and ange wokelbbiling in his

heat) Hi (Bart was so heavy, not

because he was feeling sad but

because a deep sense of betrayal

had curled up his heart. Despite his

best efforts to convince himself that

Emma was no longer a part of his

life, the memories of her, the

innocence she had fooled him with,

still haunted him. The content is on

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chapter there!

His jaw clenched in remembrance of

the man's words, his fists tight.

Nothing compared to Emma's m

betrayal, and he.codid(eel thhate

en Ea How could she

had betrayed him while being under

the martial oath with him? The

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

thought of her screwing around while

bound by their marriage leaves a

bitter taste in his mouth. The content

is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

Annie stirred in her sleep, snuggling

her head into the comfort of his

shoulder. Alexander looked down at

her, reminding himself where his

loyalty and future lay. Emma's m

chaptenlp his Jife wis Cbsed and he

was nor Shan grateful for that. She

had sinned against him, against their

union, beguiled him with her innocent

eyes. And as he gazed from the

window at the clouds running in swift

masses across, he did pray silently

never to forgive her. He would bury

her nand any remaining

memories of her, ensuring that she

becno more than a memory,

painful reminder of the woman his

father had forced him to marry. The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!