Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 187 Chapter 187

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John turned to them, heaving heavily, his fists clenched at his sides. "He has gone too far this time," he said in a tight, hard voice. "I don't care what it takes. I don't care what we have to do. We're must see our father."

Her mother let out a sob, wiping at her eyes with shaking fingers. "Why would he do this? Why would he keep me from my husband?"

The sight of her pain, of her vulnerability, was the final straw.noveldrama

James exhaled slowly, his expression hardening. "We need a plan."

Jeremy nodded. "First, we take Mom home. Then, we figure out our next move."

He'd made their mother cry. He'd made her restless, afraid.

That was unforgivable.

Whatever power play he was running, whatever game he thought he was winning-he had just started a war.

AAAAA

Alexander's sleek black car pulled up to the VIP section of the hospital. The hum of its engine cutting through the heavy silence that had settled between him and Emma. He stepped out, cradling Emily in his arms like she was the most fragile thing in this world, while his jaw tightened with unspoken fears. Emma followed suit, her hold on Ethan tightening as she swallowed back the sob that seemed to be lodged in her throat.

The doctors were working night and day, throwing everything into Emily's case. But no matter how hard they had work, no matter how much treatment they tried, there was just no way the cruel truth could be sidestepped: Emily was slipping away.

Emily could hardly walk now, her tiny limbs too weak to carry her. Emily, once the vibrant energetic little girl that had filled their home with laughter was now a ghostly shadow of her real self. Her weight had alarmingly dropped, her skin pale and stretched taut over delicate bones. Each time Alexander held her, he was reminded just how light she had become, how terrifyingly fragile.

Another car pulled up alongside them, the doors swinging open almost immediately. Vivian stepped out first, her usual poise shaken by the grave situation. She reached back in and pulled out Brianna, who had been eerily silent during the entire ride, her face a mask of pain. Then came Mrs. Walker, her own personal nurse assisting her as she stepped onto the pavement, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched onto her bag.

Emma wiped at the tears already trickling down her cheeks, her breath coming in sharp gasps, she wanted to be strong, needed to be strong. But watching her daughter grow weaker with every passing day had shattered every piece of strength she thought she had. She had fought against the fevers, against the pain no child should ever have to go through. Yet despite her brave little smiles and despite trying to reassure them in that sweet voice of hers, Emma knew. Emily was exhausted.

And Emma was scared.

A team of emergency staff pushed toward them carrying a stretcher, their expressions grim yet professional.

"We need to take her into care now," one of the doctors said as he reached toward Alexander to take Emily from his arms.

09:51, 7 Feb

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Momentarily, he would not budge. His arms tightened around his daughter, unwilling to let go, as if keeping her close could somehow protect her from what was to come.

"Sir, we have to go in now, please."

It was then that Alexander relented, pressing a gentle kiss against Emily's temple before lowering her gently onto the stretcher. The instant his arms were empty, a hollowness he could scarcely bear to encounter threatened to envelop him within. Emma squeezed hard on his hand as they ran after the stretcher, her other arm wrapping protectively around Ethan, clinging silently to her, his gaze so sensitive to the mood in the air.

Emily had to go under the knife.

A high-risk surgery with no guarantee.

Yet, there was no hesitation. No second thoughts.

If even that tiny chance would save her, they were ready to face the blade.

Because the alternative...

The alternative was something neither of them was willing to accept.