Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 87

Chapter 87

Emma clenched her fists until her fingernails bit into the soft skin of her palms. She would not give up-not yet. Adam ha walked away, but she knew there was more to come. If he wouldn't talk, she'd find another way Ethan. For the innocent children who had died. For the justice they all deserved.

With a new firmness in her voice, Emma got to her feet. The fight wasn't over. Not by a long shot. expose the truth. For

Emma walked out of prison with her heart torn to pieces. She had gone inside with the hope of some sort of breakthroug glimmer that justice would prevail for her son and the innocent children affected. Instead, matters had just gotten worse, leaving her with more questions than answers.

Sliding into the backseat of her car, she let out a shaky breath and rested her head against the cool window. The blurred lights of the city mirrored her turbulent thoughts. As the driver pulled into traffic, her phone rang sharply, cutting throug the heavy silence.

Emma glanced at the screen and immediately picked up. "Good evening, ma'am," her personal assistant greeted, her voice trembling with panic.

Emma frowned, and the distraction, emotional depletion, made her tune out of everything else. "Good evening," she murmured absent-mindedly, "Ma'am. have you seen the news?"

The urgency in her assistant's tone snapped Emma out of her haze. She straightened in her seat. "What's going on?"

"It's about your mother, the assistant said, her words cautious but hurried.

Emma's stomach dropped. "What about her?"

""You need to see this yourself

The moment the words registered in her head, panic overtook Emma, and she hung up. With trembling fingers, she pulled up the news on her phone. Her heart dropped at the sight of the headline: "Mrs. Elizabeth Walker Spotted at Her Daughter Apartment Amid Scandal."

The farther Emma read, the heavier her hands shook. It went on to describe the unexpected appearance of her mother, paparazzi frenzy, and even speculation about a family rift. She felt a wave of frustration and concern wash over her. Maina just wasn't strong enough to travel-she'd struggled with her health for years. How could this have happened without her knowing it?

Emma slammed her phone onto the seat beside her, then her emotions spiralled-anger and guilt swarmed inside her "Drive faster," she instructed her driver. As they neared the apartment, she could perceive a sea of paparazzi surrounding the building as their cameras flashed in rays.

Emma honked impatiently, weaving through the crowd, and then rushed inside the moment the car stopped. Her heart was racing as she ran up the stairs two at a time, desperate to find her mother and understand what had happened.

She opened the door, and the scene before her took her aback. Her mother sat in the living room, looking frail but dignified, while Ethan and Emily giggled on either side of her. The children hugged their grandmother tightly, unaware of the tension in the air

Emma took one tentative step forward Mom" she began softly

Elizabeth Walker looked up. Her face was cold as stone. Im waing for an explanation" she said shortly

Emma's throat choked up as she took a step closer. "Mom, I can plain she said, the tone of her voice unsteasly

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21:20 Tue, Dec.

Chapter 87

Before she could utter another word, Elizabeth rose shakily to her feet and slapped Emma across the face with sudden, surprising energy.

The sharp sting burned upon Emma's check as she gasped in shock, her hand instinctively flying to her face. Tears welled in her eyes, not from the pain but from the utter disbelief. Her mother had never hit her before. This was uncharted territory. How could you?" Elizabeth exploded, her voice breaking in rage and pain. "How could you keep such an incident from me? Can you imagine how I felt while listening to this from the news like a stranger?

The guilt finally washed over Emma's face and tightened her chest. "Mom, I'm so sorry," she whispered, breaking into sobs. "At the time, I had thought it was best. I didn't want to burden you. You have gone through so much already- Elizabeth lifted a hand to quiet her. With a heavy sigh, she let herself sink back into the chair as the fight seemed to drain from her. The fire in her eyes faded and was replaced by exhaustion and sorrow.

"I am your mother, Emma," she said softly but firmly. "If there is anyone you shouldn't keep secrets from, it is me. Do you think I'm too weak to stand by your side? That I wouldn't move heaven and earth for my grandchildren, for you?"

Tears streamed down Emma's face, and she fell upon her knees before her mother, seizing her hands. "I was wrong, Morn-I can see it now. I had thought I was saving you, and instead hurt you. I am just so sorry."

Elizabeth's grim expression relaxed as she observed her tear-marcated daughter. She reached out and gently placed her hand on Emma's cheek, stroking a tear away with her thumb. "I know you meant well, but you have to stop carrying everything alone, Emma. You're not as invincible as you think. Let me help you, even if it's just by being here."

Emma nodded, her heart heavy but comforted by her mother's words. "I promise, Mom. No more secrets."

Elizabeth sighed again, leaning back into the cushions. "Good. Because this family needs to face these battles together. And right now, you need all the support you can get."

Emma looked at her children, now watching quietly, understanding the shift in the energy of the room. Smiling through her tears, she silently promised herself that she would be stronger-for them, for her mother.

"I think I should be on my way home." Jaden's cousin, Caroline, who had helped Emma to look after her children, rose to her fect.

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