Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring Novel

1/3 12:53 Tue , Dec E Chapter 35 She jumped up , her heart thumping in her chest .

It had indeed been the case that Emily was delicate , a poor thing whose health had been a source of concern .

Emma had learned to bear it over the years , of course.

But lately , her daughter had .

been so much better , shed finally dared to believe the worst was really behind them .

Now , the hope seemed to seep away .

She had grabbed her bag , running through the building and hardly acknowledging her staff as she made her way to the elevator .

Once in her car , Emma didnt need a second .

Speeding through the city , her mind was fogged by fear and desperation as h hands clung to the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles had turned white .

In her haste , she did not see a car that pulled into her path .

She swerved too late , and with a sickening crunch , her car hit the other one .

She immediately jumped out , cursing under her breath to see the damage and apologize .

Im so sorry , she called to a young man who got out of the other car , his face twisted in frustration .

You destroyed my carl he snapped .

I know , I am so sorry .

Im in a rush , she said in a rush , rummaging through her purse .

She pulled out her office card and thrust it at him .

Please , call me with this number .

Ill pay for the damages , but I really have to go now .

It is an emergency .

Emma was in her car , speeding to the hospital , before he could say another word .

She prayed all the while she drove , her mind consumed with worry and her heart desperate for her daughter just to be okay .

Finally , she reached the hospital , barely registering the parking of the car before she burst inside , her breath catching in her throat as she fought her way through the busy hallway .

A nurse led her into a room where Emily lay , her small body attached to a web of wires and machines .

Emmas stomach twisted at the thought , instinctively reaching out to brush her daughters hand .

How is she ? she asked , her voice trembling , as one of the doctors approached .

The doctor fumbled with his tie , shifting uncomfortably .

Shes in stable condition for now , but we are monitoring her closely .

Well be running more tests .

For the time being , please let us have some space .

She watched in a daze as they carefully eased her out of the room , shutting the door behind her .

Helplessly , she put her forehead against the glass window , watching the doctors at work , her heart visibly aching with every second .

She couldnt tear her gaze away , her breath caught in her throat as she willed her daughter to pull through .

Emily turned to the emergency responders at the hospital , who had rushed her daughter from school , and demanded an explanation .

What happened ? Nurse Katherine appeared just as shaken as Emma did .

We don know , maam .

She was just in class reading quietly , then .

she collapsed .

We got her here as fast as we could .

Shes in the best care now , and I believe shell be okay .

Tears pricked Emmas eyes .

She envisioned Emily , terrified and confused , unable to comprehend what was happening with her .

The mere afterthought that she wasnt there , that her little girl had to go through that on her own , tore at her heart .

Hours later , they transferred Emily from the emergency room to an acute patient room .

Finally , Emma was allowed to join her and reached immediately for her daughters hand , feeling the small , fragile fingers in her own .

Her twin brother .

Ethan , had been dismissed home from school , but was well taken care of at least until Empacould return , with her mother and a private nurse there to keep a close eye on him .

She looked down at her daughter , heart breaking , and brushed milys hair back from her forehead , Four years old poor little thing , and she had been through more pain and more hospitals than most adults .

Emma would gladly give up every penny of her money , every ounce of her success , for her daughter to be healthy , for her to be out of pam .

Her wealth , her power , her connections all of it did nothing in the wake of that cruel fact .

Emily Mommy is here she whispered softly , clasping her daughters hand as her tears fell , Tm here , darling .

Youre safe now .

You dont have to be afraid .

12:53 Tue , Dec 1 / Chapter 35 盘 : 70 % She had sat beside Emilys bed , stroking her hand and softly talking to her , making her daughter feel she was there .

With every labored breath her daughter took , Emmas heart ached , and though she did not know what the morrow would bring .

in silence she vowed never to let her daughter face such torture again .

Later that afternoon , the doctor called Emma into his office , and she found herself practically running down the cold , sterile hall .

Muttering small prayers under her breath , she hoped Emilys condition wasnt as serious as it felt .

Of course , upon entering the room and engaging the solemn stare of the doctor , she could feel her heart fall .

He released a deep , long sigh , his face already telling her all she needed to know even before he spoke a word and whatever it was that was wrong with Emily was way beyond the care in which they could handle her here .

Emma felt a wave of dread wash over her , but she steadied herself , meeting the doctors eyes Ms.

Walker , your daughters health is in a critical state .

She needs urgent and specialized care , he began judiciously .

Emmas fists clenched , and her mind began to race .

Ill do whatever it takes , doctor just tell me whats wrong with her .

The doctor took a deep breath .

Emily has been diagnosed with a very rare brain disorder .

After running several tests , weve determined that with immediate treatment there is a sixty percent chance of survival .

Emmas heart stopped , and her world tilted as the words sank in .

Sixty percent .

It wasnt a promise , but it was enough to give her hope .

Then do it .

I dont care what it costs .

All that matters saving her , she replied , her voice shaking with determination from underneath .

The doctor nodded , his face still a mask of that one troubled thought .

Wed start treatment here in an instant , but our hospital doesnt have the specialized equipment or expertise this case calls for .

The patience now finally frayed for Emma as panic crept into her voice .

Then which hospital does ? Ill take her anywhere .

For a full minute , the doctor said nothing , as if aware of what his words would do .

The nearest and best facility with the required equipment is Blackthorn Hospital just across the border .

Its among the best in the world , and they have treated similar cases very successfully .

Emmas breath caught , and she slapped a hand over her mouth as the room spun around her .

Blackthorn .

Alexanders territory .

Shed sworn to never again set foot in the place , after the hell shed managed to escape .

The last time she was there precious few days ago , it seemed she and her twins had barely escaped with their lives .

To go back felt like asking to be trapped again or worse , killed .

She couldnt risk that .

Not for herself , not for her children .

She clenched her fists until the knuckles were white .

Isnt there some other option ? Some other hospital thats equipped to help her ? The doctor shook his head , his eyes full of sympathy .

Im afraid not , Ms.

Walker , Blackthorn has the most advanced technology in the world and many of the best specialists .

If you want the best chance at saving your daughter , thats where she needs to be .

She felt as though the floor were crumbling beneath her feet .

Only Blackthorn could save Emily .

Some fateful cruelty seemed to be pulling her back to the only place in the world she had struggled to get free of .

Shed sworn never to go to Alexander , never to give him a foothold in her life again .

And yet , here she was being comered by circumstances beyond her control .

Her daughters life depended on it , and there was simply no other way .

Tears streamed down her face as she left the doctors office , his words still ringing in her head .

She reeled down the hall , as if the walls were coming in , closing in on her .

Her heart racing furiously , her mind spinning as she wrestled with the impossible choice before her .

Turning to Alexander for help was like walking back into a nightmare .

She could still see the terror in Emilys and Ethans eyes as they had fled from his world .

She couldnt put them in danger again .

But if she didnt go to Blackthorn Emilys chances would ship away .

Her hands shook and she struggled to breathe as desperation clawed at her .

But there must be another way , some sort of miracle that didnt involve confronting her lifes destroyer .

Yet , the moment when reality hit her was when the words of the doctor replayed her mind .

The only way forward was one she had sworn never to take .

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