Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Chapter 60

Emma stormed out of Alexander's office, her chest heaving with the storm of emotions swirling inside. Anger still simmered below the surface, but the focus had since shifted. The world wasn't waiting for her to breathe, still piling on challenges left and right, and she didn't have time to crumble. The scandal involving her and Annie might have simmered down online overnight, but Emma knew better. Nothing that went on the internet was ever actually gone. She'd have to weather echoes and whispers that would no doubt assail her for years

to come.

The tempest in her mind whirled as she walked down the corridors of Alexander's company. She knew she just could not let the weight of public opinion weigh her down. She had a family to protect, a son fighting for his life, and a personal battle that was yet to be won. She was only halfway down the hall when Jaden appeared, walking toward her with his characteristic air of calm, a paper bag in his hand. His presence was the one comfort to her chaotic day so far.

"Good morning," he greeted, smiling slightly into her eyes that were still churning with anger.

"Morning," Emma replied shortly, her voice betraying the tension in her. She gazed at the bag he was holding, interest sparkling briefly in her features. "What's that?"

"Breakfast," Jaden said opening it for her. "Since you didn't eat anything last night. I..."

A small, quick smile tugged at her lips. "Thanks," she said softly, taking the bag from him. The gesture was like a lifeline, a small reminder that not everyone in her life was out to tear her down.

Together, they walked to Ethan's hospital room. The atmosphere shifted the moment they stepped inside. A team of doctors was conducting their morning check-up, and Emma froze as her eyes fell on Ethan. He was awake. His small, fragile body lay still on the bed, but his eyes fluttered open, scanning the room weakly.

With a lurch, Emma's heart fell, then soared with relief. The tears welled in her eyes as she stepped forward, cluching at his hand gingerly. "Ethan," she whispered, the thrill of joy making her voice shake. "Oh, thank God."

Ethan blinked up at her, his lips curling into a faint, tired smile. Too weak to speak, the light returning to his eyes was enough to breathe hope back into her.

Jaden leaned forward, his warm hand on her shoulder for a moment. "He's a fighter, Emma. Just like his mom."

Emma nodded tearfully, and she kissed Ethan's forehead. Her relief swamped her, then hardened into determination. Ethan was going to be okay, and with her son's condition no longer hanging in the balance, I was time for her to take control of the chaos that had been unleashed on her life. Annie and anyone else who dared to hurt her family would soon learn that she was no longer the timid woman they thought they could trample over.

After the doctors had gone, Emma joined Jaden and Emily for breakfast. The meal was quiet but comforting. The chatter and giggles of Emily brought life back into the room as Emma could feel the dark cloud that had hung over her begin to lift. As they finished eating, Emma turned to Jaden, her expression suddenly sharp and resolute.

"Your offer about the Aurora Honors," she said, her voice clipped and direct, catching him off guard.

Jaden blinked, his fork halfway to his lips. "My offer?" he repeated, clearly taken aback by the shift in her mood.

"You asked me to go with you," Emma reminded him. Her eyes glittered with a determination he hadn't seen before. "Oh," he stuttered, taken aback. "Yes, I did. But if you're not up to it, I..."

"I'm going," Emma cut in resolutely.

Jaden stared at her, his eyebrows raising in surprise. "You're sure?"

Emma nodded, no shadow of doubt in her gaze. "Yes. It's time I stopped letting other people prescribe how I live."

A small, cold smile now played on her lips which sent a shiver down Jaden's spine.

"Okay," he said, returning her smile with a steady look of support.

Emma grabbed Ethan's hand with a cold expression, promising to hurt back the wicked people behind hus attack without a single drop of mercy thrown their way.

ΑΛΛΑΔ

Annie stared in utter disbelief at her screen, her fingers shaking as she scrolled down the apps. Every single video related to the previous day's incident had completely disappeared, erased as if it never happened. A cold wave of shock went through her, and in a flash, the fury rose instead. Who could do this overnight, so fast and so completely?

Determined to fight back, she tried reuploading the videos through several of her fake accounts. Every time, the outcome was precisely the same: her accounts were instantly banned. She was breathing fast, having watched her efforts crumble right in front of her eyes. The apps had completely locked down the content so that it could never resurface. And there seems to be was an invisible wall of power in between her and her revenge.

She bit into her bottom lip, the metallic taste of the blood bringing her back to reality. Anger churning inside her, it rose like an uncontrollable storm. Her mind was racing while she tried piecing together what had taken place. It did not take long for the answer to hit her; Alexander. He must have done this. He must have pulled strings from behind the scenes to protect Emma.

Her suspicions were confirmed when a notification lit up her screen. There was an official statement from the Blackthorn Corporation, labeling the incident as a "misunderstanding" and claiming that the videos were "false narratives blown out of proportion." They even insinuated that there would be legal action against any who tried to spread such *malicious misinformation*