Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring Novel

Chapter 97 Emma got into the lift , and Annie slipped in right after her .

Her chest heaved as though the weight of their tension somehow became heavier inside this small area , suffocatingly heavy .

Her breathing hitched , her chest juddering as though her lungs and heart were at battle with each other .

Emma said nothing but paid attention to the glowing numbers up above , indicating which floors they were currently passing The elevator doors opened with a ping , and the two women , each for different reasons , went through it into the hall , unified by urgency across the chasin of emotion separating them .

Down the hall to Adam Hersels room , they went , Emmas heart pounding with the anticipation of truth .

Annies with dread at exposure .

But just as they reached the corner , both stood still , arrested by a sight ahead .

A young woman , who could almost have passed for Adam Hersels daughter , was being dragged away in handcuffs by two- officers .

She resisted their grasp , her tear streaked face twisted in a mix of rage and despair .

Behind her , an older woman wailed , clinching at her chest as her cried echoed off the sterile hospital corridor .

With that , the young woman cast one quick , sharp glance toward Emma before turning around the bend and out of sight .

There was something substantive in that glance that weighed upon Emma .

What , whats going on ? Emma quavered , her voice barely audible as she looked through to Adams room .

Her breath caught as a stretcher emerged a body covered by a white sheet wheeled out of the room .

Emmas legs moved of their own accord , propelling her forward as the nurses pushed the gurney past her .

The world blurred around her , while at the same time focusing down to the body beneath the sheet .

No , she whispered , shaking her head .

No , this cant be .

She reached out , heedless , snatching at the edge of the sheet and yanking it down .

Her knees buckled .

It was Adam Hersel .

His face was pallid , his body utterly still , and his eyes closed forever .

No ! Emma gasped , tumbling backward as it had finally hit her like a freight train .

Her vision blurred at the welling of her tears as her shaking hands flew to her mouth .

This cant be happening .

Not now ! Not when were so close .

Behind her , Annie stepped forward , her eyes wide in mock shock .

But the glint of relief in her gaze told a different story .

Emma didnt see it .

Annie felt it , the weight of impending doom lifting off her shoulders , Adam Hersel was gone , and with him , any chance of her secret being exposed .

She forced her expression into one of pity , but inside , she rejoiced .

Emma glanced at the nurses , her voice breaking as she pleaded for an explanation : What happened ? He was fine this morning ! What could have gone wrong ? One of them- professionally and very hesitantly replied , He asked for his family .

His daughter showed up not too long later .

There was an altercation .

She attacked him , and he did not make it .

The words struck Emma like a blow to the gut .

Her knees buckled , and she stumbled against the wall for support .

Sharp breaths racked her chest while tears coursed down her face .

All the hope shed clung to , the promise of justice , was taken away in just one second .

How how could this happen ? Emma managed to whisper barely audibly .

She looked through her tear soaked lashes and found Annie .

Angie moved towards Alexander with a confident gait , as if the death of Adam Hersel had restored her balance .

Emma watched Annies crocodile tears roll down her cheeks ; her false sympathy was almost too good .

Something inside Emma snapped ||| 21-22 Tue , Dec 17 Chapter 97 She spun on her heel , storming down the hall as the walls closed in around her .

The anguish was too much , the weight unbearable .

Adam Hersel was gone , and with him , the truth .

It was like the investigation won right back to square one Headlines blared from every nook and corner that day , pitiless and merciless .

Adam Hersels daughter faced off in every newspaper , wild speculations regarding her motive on every new article either demonizing her as a cold blooded murderer like her father or concocting mental instability stories of how such an incident occurred , but Emmas mind had drifted a thousand miles away to the spiraling motions of guilt and despair in which she had found herself cast by the world around her , in the face of judgment and noise .

She grasped the crumpled letter between her shaking hands , and smudges of ink stained her palms from her falling tears .

If only she had gotten there sooner .

It beat in her brain , much like a drum unrelenting in its beat .

Maybe , if she had come just minutes earlier , perhaps Adam might still be alive ; justice and truth might finally be possible .

Her mind replayed the events in excruciating detail : the cold hospital corridor , Annies trembling voice , her wide eyes darting nervously .

Annie had been terrified , Emma realized so Annie couldnt have been the mastermind behind the attack .

But again , Annie has slipped away , unscathed , while Adam Hersel paid the ultimate price .

Emma bit hard into her bottom lip , the metallic taste of blood mingling with the bitterness in her throat .

Anger and regret tangled together in her chest , forming a choking knot .

She wanted to scream , cry , and turn back time to do everything differently .

But the past was a steel door that wouldnt budge no matter who you were .

Her mind turned to Ethan .

Her precious boy , whose bright eyes now held shadows no child should ever bear .

Even after being discharged , Ethan hadnt quite made it back to the one he was before .

Nights were the worst , waking up screaming .

drenched in sweat , as his small body shook , reliving the terror of the walls falling around him .

The helplessness in his eyes tore at her heart , a constant reminder of the nightmare they couldnt escape .

SEND GIFT