Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 35

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12:53 Tue, Dec

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, she'd 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 didn't 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.

"I'm 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. I'm 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. I'll 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. Emma's stomach twisted at the thought, instinctively reaching out to brush her daughter's hand. "How is she?" she asked, her voice trembling, as one of the doctors approached.

The doctor fumbled with his tie, shifting uncomfortably. "She's in stable condition for now, but we are monitoring her closely. We'll 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 couldn't 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, ma'am. She was just in class reading quietly, then. she collapsed. We got her here as fast as we could. She's in the best care now, and I believe she'll be okay."

Tears pricked Emma's eyes. She envisioned Emily, terrified and confused, unable to comprehend what was happening with her. The mere afterthought that she wasn't 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 daughter's 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 mily's 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 daughter's hand as her tears fell, Tm here, darling. You're safe now. You don't have to be afraid." 12:53 Tue, Dec 1/

Chapter 35 0:70%

She had sat beside Emily's bed, stroking her hand and softly talking to her, making her daughter feel she was there. With every labored breath her daughter took, Emma's 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 Emily's condition wasn't 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 doctor's eyes

"Ms. Walker, your daughter's health is in a critical state. She needs urgent and specialized care," he began judiciously.

Emma's fists clenched, and her mind began to race. "I'll do whatever it takes, doctor-just tell me what's wrong with her. The doctor took a deep breath. "Emily has been diagnosed with a very rare brain disorder. After running several tests, we've determined that with immediate treatment there is a sixty percent chance of survival.

Emma's heart stopped, and her world tilted as the words sank in. Sixty percent. It wasn't a promise, but it was enough to give her hope. Then do it. I don't 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. "We'd start treatment here in an instant, but our hospital doesn't 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? I'll 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. It's among the best in the world, and they have treated similar cases very successfully.

Emma's breath caught, and she slapped a hand over her mouth as the room spun around her. Blackthorn. Alexander's territory. She'd sworn to never again set foot in the place, after the hell she'd 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 couldn't risk that. Not for herself, not for her children.

She clenched her fists until the knuckles were white. "Isn't there some other option? Some other hospital that's equipped to help her?"

The doctor shook his head, his eyes full of sympathy. "I'm 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, that's 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. She'd 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 daughter's life depended on it, and there was simply no other way.

Tears streamed down her face as she left the doctor's 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 Emily's and Ethan's eyes as they had fled from his world. She couldn't put them in danger again. But if she didn't go to Blackthorn Emily's 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 didn't involve confronting her life's 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.

12:53 Tue, Dec 17 ti