Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring Novel

Chapter 28 Marina stormed into the wine cellar , fury burning in her eyes as she yanked a bottle of her favorite wine from the rack Without hesitation , she pressed it to her lips , taking desperate gulps straight from the bottle .

She didnt hear Derek enter .

but suddenly he was there , pulling the bottle away from her lips Give that back ! Give it back , Derek ! she shouted , her chest heaving , every word trembling with rage .

Getting drunk isnt going to fix this , Marina Derek replied , his voice steady , though concern flickered in his eyes .

Her gaze wavered , and tears pooled , spilling over as her voice cracked .

Derek , you know what Ive done to get here .

You know ! And that bastard just shows up , trying to steal my place ! The sacrifices Ive made … the lines Ive crossed .

You remember what we had to do to get Diana out of the way , dont you ? And now Veronica thinks she can just walk in and take my spot without a second thought ? Everything Ive fought for is slipping through my fingers ! Dereks eyes darted around the room , tehse .

Keep it down , Marina .

Someone might hear .

I dont care ! she shouted , hot tears streaming down her cheeks None of it matters if I lose the only thing I care about ! Derek pulled her close , his embrace familiar but not reassuring Theyd been together since university , partners in both lovi and ambition .

Shed used her influence to secure him his law job at their company , and together , they had schemed and manipulated for years , laying the groundwork for their eventual rise to power .

They hadnt hesitated to orchestrate Dianas death , staging it as a suicide when it looked like Mrs.

Walker might not die in time .

It had been their darkest secret Well find a way .

Derek murmured , running his hand down her back .

Im here for you , Marina .

Whatever you need , Im yours .

He pressed a soft kiss to her lips , his touch grounding her for a moment .

Come with me , baby Six months after her failed scheme , Marina strode into Mrs.

Walkers office , her shoulders squared , a thick file clenched in her hand .

Shed tried everything else , this time , shed do it the legal way .

But as Mrs.

Walker glanced up at her with that unreadable expression , Marinas confidence faltered .

Without a word , Mrs.

Walker opened the file , her gaze skimming over the evidence Marina had gathered on Veronica Moore .

She took her time , flipping through the pages , but when she looked up , her face was void of the reaction Marina had anticipated Marina felt her pulse quicken , and she couldnt hold back .

Ive brought information about Veronica Moore , she began , her tone dripping with disdain .

She isnt who you think she is .

Her real name is Emma Black .

She was married to Alexander Black , the CEO of Blackthorn Holdings .

Alexander divorced her two years ago , and whatever she did must have been scandalous enough for her to flee the country and change her name .

Someone with that past doesnt belong here .

Its better to get rid of her now before her history taints us Mrs.

Walker didnt blink Ive known about her identity for months , Marina .

This is nothing new to me Her words were calm , almost dismissive .

If you really want her gone , bring something worthwhile For a moment , Marina stood frozen , her mind reeling .

Mrs.

Walker had known all along and had chosen to do nothing .

The betrayal , the humiliation … it was suffocating .

Her face burned , and her hands clenched into fists as she fought back a wave of rage .

She felt like a fool , exposed and powerless Snatching the file back , she stormed out of the office , her heels clicking sharply against the floor .

As the door closed behind her , hot tears stung her eyes , and she bit down on her lip hard enough to taste blood .

Shame twisted in her gut , and she wished desperately for the ground to open and swallow her whole .

AAA As Mrs.

Walkers car pulled up to the preschool that afternoon , she found her thoughts lingering on Emmas past .

Now that Marina knew , the secret Emma had kept hidden seemed ready to burst into the open .

Mrs.

Walker had done her own quiet investigation months ago , uncovering who Emma really was .

Shed hoped Emma would confide in her someday , to come 1/2 Chapter 28 1 forward on her own once she felt secure .

But as time went on , it seemed that day might never come Her gaze softened as she watched Emma exit the preschool , a twin in each hand .

There was a gentleness in the way Emma held the children , a fierce love that was hard to miss .

Mrs.

Walker had thought shed lost everything , but fate had granted her a second chance … one she hadnt earned , yet cherished deeply .

Maw maw ! Emilys delighted squeal broke through her thoughs as the little girl spotted her.

Emilys face lit up , and she wriggled with excitement .

Her voice was like a song to Mrs.

Walkers ears , and she couldnt help but beam back , opening her arms to the child .

Hello , my darling Emily , Mrs.

Walker cooed as she took her from Emmas arms , holding her close .

Emily squealed again .

resting her head against Mrs.

Walkers shoulder with a happy sigh Im here darling Mrs.

Walker murmured , pressing a gentle kiss to Emilys forehead , he truth The car ride home was quiet , but Mrs.

Walkers mind was anything but .

She couldnt shake the weight of what she had learned , the truth Emma had kept hidden for so long .

Late that rught , when the house was silent and the twins were fast asleep , Mrs.

Walker gathered her courage and quietly entered Emmas room , motioning for her to step outside with her .

Emmas eyes widened in concern .

Should I get you a cup of milk ? she asked gently , thinking perhaps Mrs.

Walker couldnt sleep .

Mrs.

Walker shook her head , her expression soft but serious .

No I want to talk to you … Emma .

At the sound of her real name Emma froze feeling as if her heart had stopped .

Panic washed over her .

Mrs.

Walker knew ! She knew everything .

Emmas mind raced with fear … fear of being cast out , of losing the safety and warmth shed found here .

How ? When … ? she whispered , her voice shaky .

She sat down needing to steady herself as her legs felt weak beneath her SEND GIFT