Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring Novel

Chapter 38 She was up early the next morning , determined that this day would start off differently .

She made her twins favorite breakfast , hoping the warm start would give them comfort in this strange , all too familiar city .

Getting them dressed and ready , she dropped them off at daycare , tugging slightly at her heart as she waved goodbye .

They were her world , and every move she made here was for them .

Dressed in a light layer of makeup , a scarf , and her sunglasses firmly on , Emma entered Blackthorn Hospital .

It was years since she had tried hiding herself , and the memories only served to pull the knot in her stomach a little tighter .

She came up to the receptionist and did her best to sound steady while introducing herself .

Carolyn Smith , mother of Emily Smith , referred to your hospital .

The receptionists fingers flew across the keyboard , her face stoic until she scrolled down Emilys file .

Emmas heart quickened as she soon whisked away to another floor to meet with a doctor ; this was it she had to believe the movement was progress , that she could give Emily the care she needs here .

Inside the doctors office , Emma watched him read through the Ele , with every word read , his expression changed the severity of Emilys condition .

Finally , he looked up with a heavy face full of sympathy .

Your daughters case is very unique , he began , his voice soft .

Im so sorry for what shes been going through .

Weve gotten her referral , but ..

He hesitated , as if looking for words .

Because its such a rare case , the CEO needs to sign the referral for us to have any chance of treating her .

Without his approval , there is absolutely nothing we can do yet .

Emma stared as the world tilted under her feet .

She hardly dared to breathe as the reality set in .

The CEOs signature , Alexanders signature , was on the paper staring back at her .

She had expected the challenges but not this .

Shed known returning meant risking seeing him again , but now her daughters health was caught up in his approval .

It all felt like a twisted game .

Emmas heart began to race as she leaned forward , her frustration barely contained .

Then please , pass on the file to him .

Til pay whatever it takes , as long as my daughter gets the treatment he needs .

I didnt come all this way to just be stalled by red tape .

The doctor exhaled and remained patient , though firm , in his countenance .

It doesnt work that way , maam .

Patience snapped , Emma demanded , Get to the point , her voice colder than she intended .

She hadnt flown around the world to listen to excuses .

The doctor shifted uncomfortably .

The CEO is only here once every two weeks , He has other obligations , other businesses and he was here just yesterday .

So.

Of course , it was .

She had known about Alexanders impossible schedule , but in the mad dash to get here , shed forgotten somehow .

But two more weeks of waiting ? Unthinkable .

So youre telling me that my daughter has to wait two weeks before her treatment even starts ? Her voice was shaking with the effort of holding back her anger .

I understand it is frustrating , but such cases are few and far between , and until the CEO approved the referral , there was simply nothing we could do .

Emma sprang to her feet , her anger blazing .

This is an emergency .

Surely your CEO can make an exception ! My daughters life is on the line , and you are telling me she has to wait because he is busy ? If your child needed help , would you settle for this ? Emma whipped pround and out of the office , not awaiting an answer , her veins coursing with the flow of her anger .

Somewhere out there , the man who held her daughters fate in his hands was no doubt indulging in his luxuries , entangled in his picture perfect life with Annie .

That fact alone was enough to make her blood boil .

That night Emma lay awake , staring at the ceiling while her mind ran wildly with worry and frustration .

She had come here as fast as possible to get Emily the desperately needed treatmer but now .

this .

She looked over at Emruly , who fast slept on the bed , her little face serene .

Emma gently brushed one strand of hair from her daughters forehead and softly sighed .

1/2 Tue , Dec 1 , Chapter 38 Ethan , its time for bed she called , watching her son still glued to the TV .

But I dont want to sleep yet , Mom ! I want to watch his interview , Ethan protested .

Emma blinked , barely processing what he was saying , Who ? Him the man I saw yesterday at the airport .

Her heart stuttered at the screen now in the middle of a commercial break .

She had been so overwhelmed , she didnt even notice what Ethan was watching .

Theyre interviewing him on TV she asked , trying to sound nonchalant .

Yeah ! Is he some kinda big deal ? Emma took a deep breath in ; her voice was firm as she turned off the television .

Ethan , I dont want you talking about that man .

You have to understand , hes a stranger .

Ethan frowned .

But he seemed nice , Mom .

He even said he wanted to be my friend Emma hunched down to meet Ethans gaze .

Sweetheart , no matter how nice someone looks , we cant trust strangers .

Do you understand ? She had tucked him in and gone back to the darkened living room , turning the TV back on and bringing the volume down to a whisper .

And there he was Alexanders face filled the screen , polished and composed .

He looked just like he had at the airport : flawless , untouchable , like some kind of deity who belonged to a world that had no space for someone like her .

But she knew the truth .

Behind that perfect façade was a man as cold , as unfeeling as stone .

Emma gritted her teeth .

Her hand slipped up over the armrest and picked up the remote .

Enough .

She needed to concentrate .

Tomorrow , she would think of a way to get him to sign the referral no matter what it took .

She hadnt come all this way to be defeated now .

By the third day , all patience had worn off Emma , having been overrun by this gnawing desperation that grew more desperate by the minute .

She had gone to the hospital twice , going there so a miracle could happen the CEO would have signed the referral , and they could have started with Emilys treatment straight away .

Each time , though , she had to leave empty handed , hollow reassurances , and an ache in her heart that was becoming unbearable .

She wasnt just going to helplessly sit and watch her daughter suffer , helpless as time slipped through her fingers .

Shed fought so hard to stay hidden from the world and the people shed left behind , to avoid contact , even .

But Emilys life was worth more than any pride or rules she had set for herself .

She took a deep breath , fortifying herself .

If waiting wasnt going to get her the help Emily needed , then shed have to take matters into her hands , even if it meant crossing every line she had drawn to protect herself .

A plan started to form in her mind a very risky one , but just about plausible enough to work .

She cou ldnt avoid Alexander anymore .

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