Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring Novel

COMMENT 1715 Chapter 30 As the weight of these revelations bore down on her , Emma wondered what her life might have been like if she had grown up with her true family .

She thought about the fateful day she had met Mrs.

Walker .

Perhaps this was all part of Gods mysterious plan , leading her back to where she truly belonged .

Her thoughts were interrupted as Mrs.

Walkers door slowly creaked open and the older woman stepped into the room .

Emma rose to her feet , her eyes swollen from crying .

She took tentative steps toward Mrs.

Walker , her voice breaking as she whispered , Mother … The word hung in the air , filled with years of longing and heartbreak Mrs.

Walkers own tears fell freely as she opened her arms .

Im so sorry for not recognizing you sooner , my daughter .

Forgive me Emma shook her head , pulling her mother into a tight embrace .

Youre not the one to blame , Mother she whispered through her tears .

They held each other close , feeling the years of separation melt away in the warmth of their embrace .

Time seemed to stand still as they stood there , bound together by shared grief , love and the bittersweet reunion they never could have anticipated .

Emma wished she could have come sooner , just to have had one moment , even a second , with Diana AAA Presently .

Derek clenched his phone , his knuckles white with tension as he forced himself to breathe slowly , trying to keep his voice steady despite the simmering rage beneath his calm exterior .

He was still at the office , surrounded by sharp eyed colleagues , so he had to keep his tone low and measured , though every word seemed to seethe with barely restrained fury .

Weve got a problem , he growled into the phone , his voice tight .

Meet me at home .

When Marina arrived , her face was taut with worry .

She knew Derek well enough to recognize that he never lost his temper without good reason .

For him to summon her home like this , something had to have gone terribly wrong .

The moment she stepped inside , she dropped her bag , her eyes wide as she searched his face .

What happened ? she asked urgently .

Dereks jaw clenched as he took a moment to gather his thoughts , struggling to keep his voice from rising .

Your aunt … she changed her will today , he replied , his tone laced with a mixture of bitterness and frustration .

Marinas initial alarm ebbed just a bit .

She relaxed , almost relieved .

Oh , is that all ? I dont see why thats a problem .

She has no other close family besides me … who else would she trust to inherit her assets ? Dereks gaze darkened , and he shook his head slowly .

We underestimated Emma , he said in a low growl , barely containing his anger .

He stood up suddenly , his face shadowed by an anger Marina had rarely seen before .

Your dear aunt decided to leave eighty percent of her fortune to that good for nothing Verenica ! The words struck Marina like a blow .

She staggered back , feeling sick , twisting dread in her stomach .

Her mind spun , scrambling to make sense of what Derek had just said .

Veronica Eighty percent ? How could this be happening ? No … she whispered her voice faint , barely a breath.

Her body trembled as the shock set in , her hands rising unconsciously to her mouth as tears began to slip down her cheeks .

No , this cant be .

Theres no way she would do that .

Im her only niece .

she wouldnt do that to me .

Not after everything Ive done for her ..

Dereks expression remained hard , his fists clenched at his sides .

Believe it , Marina .

She left nearly everything to Veronica .

Everything we planned ..

all that we worked for … its slipping through our fingers because of her .

Marina shook her head , desperately clinging to disbelief .

Her chest tightened , and her throat felt raw , a mixture of betrayal and desperation clawing at her insides .

This was a nightmare … had to be .

1/2 Tue , Dec Chapter 30 Marinas grip tightened around the neck of the wine bottle , her knuckles turning white before she hurled it against the wall , shattering it in an explosion of glass and dark red streaks .

But the wreckage didnt soothe her , it wasnt enough .

She turned , her vision blurred with tears , and stormed toward the television With one swift motion , she grabbed the edge and flung it to the ground , watching it crack and splinter into pieces , sparks briefly flickering from the broken screen .

Yet , her heart still throbbed painfully , twisted and hollow with betrayal and loss .

Nething she destroyed could fix this agony , this sense of failure .

After everything she had done … every plan , every lie , every sacrifice … this was how it ended .

She had even killed Diana without a second thought ruthlessly clearing any obstacles that might have stood in her way , confident that everything would eventually belong to her .

And yet , a nobody , an outsider , had snatched it all away from her leaving her with nothing A scream tore from her throat , raw and broken .

She whirled to face Derek , her eyes blazing with grief and fury .

You should have told me the moment you found out ! Her voice cracked .

I had known sooner maybe I could have done something anything ! Dereks jaw was tense his expression unreadable .

It all happened fast , Marina .

And I wasnt the only one there … half the firms legal team was in attendance .

This wasnt something I could just … undo .

Marina dragged a trembling hand over her tear streaked face .

Her mind whirled with questions , strategies , desperate thoughts .

She couldnt let this stand .

She had to act , and she had to act now .

Her aunt was her last hope … she had to confront her , understand why shed done this , why shed betrayed her so completely .

Without hesitation , she grabbed her bag and turned to leave , but Dereks hand closed around her wrist , holding her in place .

Maybe you shouldnt go .

he said , his voice cautious , but firm Her eyes flashed dangerously as she jerked her hand from his grip .

And am I just supposed to sit here and watch some stranger steal everything thats rightfully mine ? she spat her voice barely a whisper yet brimming with venom Derek hesitated , then looked at her , his expression darkening with something she hadnt seen before Im starting to wonder ..

if Veronica looking so much like Diana was really just coincidence