Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring (Emma and Alexander) novel Chapter 97

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 Hersel’s room, they went, Emma’s heart pounding with the anticipation of truth. Annie’s 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 Hersel’s 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, what’s going on?” Emma quavered, her voice barely audible as she looked through to Adam’s room. 

Her breath caught as a stretcher emerged–a body covered by a white sheet–wheeled out of the room. Emma’s 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 can’t 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 can’t be happening. Not now! Not when we’re 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 didn’t 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 she’d 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 Annie’s crocodile tears roll down her cheeks; her false sympathy was almost too good. 

Something inside Emma snapped 

||| 

21-22 Tue, Dec 17 

Chapter 97