Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

The day had been a blur of goodbyes as Emma visited those few people who retained any value for her. By the time she got home, hours had slipped through her fingers like sand, and she felt drained but strangely numb. She hadn't eaten all day, and yet food or drink didn't cross her mind. As she approached the house, Vivian's car sat out front, and she knew right then what she was walking into. Vivian, Alexander's little sister, had always shared her big brother's view of Emma-maybe even more so. And there she stood, waiting, as Emma entered the

sitting room.

As soon as Emma walked in, Vivian's eyes brightened, full of evil satisfaction. "I guess the rumor is true, wife," she sneered, marking extra special emphasis on the word "wife", saying it like a dirty joke. The bitterness in her voice churned Emma's stomach, but she remained cool, refusing to take the bait.

She would have pacified Vivian in the past with the act of a perfect wife while insults were being hurled at her. Not today. Today, Emma was through playing games.

"Get out of my sight. I have nothing to say to you, and besides, I am as happy as your brother is concerning this arrangement," Emma shot back, her voice cold and unyielding.

Vivian's sly smile had faltered for just a moment before she regained composure. "Are you now?" she mocked, to which Emma responded with nothing, brushing past Vivian and proceeding straight to her room before slamming the door behind her.

She cried her eyes out, soaking in the scalding water inside her bathroom. The water had done little to soothe the pain and instead exaggerated the ache in her chest. Soon enough, she was engulfed by exhaustion and finally dozed off into a restless sleep. She was jolted awake by the sound of knocking on the door.

Thinking it could be Miranda, she hastily donned her bathrobe and opened the door to find Alexander. The sight of him hit her hard in the chest, enough so that she had to bite into her lip to prevent tears from falling. It was only four weeks ago that, in this same room, he had made love to her for the first time since their marriage, giving her hope that maybe, just maybe, things between them could turn around for the better. Now, he was here handing her divorce papers, ready to leave her for a woman whom he hadn't seen in five years. His gaze dropped to her cleavage, and she instinctively wrapped her bathrobe tighter about her as a wave of humiliation flushed over her. "I have brought the papers," he said, his voice devoid of any emotion as he extended the file toward her.

"You could have sent Kevin," she replied, trying to sound firm, though she was anything but steady inside. She took a deep breath, willing herself to keep her cool. "Give me a minute," she said then, closing the door.

She changed into comfortable clothes and grabbed a pen before proceeding to the sitting room, where Alexander waited. The tension was palpable as she went through the divorce papers. Her heart broke at every word. She did not say anything at all but scribbled her signature on the dotted line, sealing the end of their marriage.

She had turned to leave when Alexander's voice halted her. "Where will you be going?" he asked, his voice cold but tinged with something else she could not exactly identify.

She turned around then, her eyes as icy as his. "That's rather a personal question, don't you think, Mr. Black?

His eyes widened slightly at the formality of her response, clearly taken aback. "I will drop by your mother's tomorrow and let her know," she added, her voice softening a little.

Though her relationship with Alexander and Vivian had been stormy, her relationship with his mother was different. The older woman had always treated Emma with kindness, loving her as her other daughter. Now, the thought of saying goodbye to Alexander's mother, the last semblance of family she had, was perhaps the most difficult part of all this.

"My words regarding the alimony still stand," Alexander said, his voice firm but tinged with regret.

Emma paused, her heart aching as she looked at him one last time. "Then consider it my gift to your new life with your lover, Mr. Black," she replied, her voice breaking slightly as she forced herself to smile.

With that, she turned and walked away, each step heavier than the last, leaving behind the man she once loved and the life they could have had.

The next morning, Emma woke up earlier than usual, ready to face the new day with clarity. She hadn't actually taken anything since the previous night, when Alexander had broken the news, and she was physically weakened by this lack of nourishment. Forcing herself to prepare a very light breakfast, she took it alone in the quiet of her room. The food tasted like soot in her mouth, but she forced herself to eat the rest, knowing that she needed the strength for what lay ahead.

After arranging her nerves, she went off to the Brianna estate. Brianna, Alexander's mother, had been one of the most gentle souls in Emma's life, and by far, saying goodbye to her was going to be really hard. Brianna's face beamed with a warm smile and her eyes brightened as soon as Emma had entered the room; but she was so fragile. She was in her sixties but had aged rapidly in the last two years since her husband's death, her health deteriorating so much that she seemed far older than she was.

"Emma," she laughed, and she patted the space beside her on the couch. Sorrow stung in Emma's chest as she settled down beside her. Sweet-natured Brianna had been a crutch for her during those years of marriage, and now Emma would miss her dearly. After helping Brianna put ointment on her sore back, they sat down to a pot of tea. Brianna's gaze drifted to Emma's stomach, her expression tinged with sadness. Lately, she'd been prattling on more and more about grandbabies, and Emma could read it coming a mile away.

"So when are you and Alexander going to have babies?" Brianna inquired softly. "I just recently talked to Alex about that. I know of someone who can help both of you with that.".

Emma moved uncomfortably from her seat, for her heart was loaded with the weight of a secret. "Mother..." she began, but Brianna interrupted her, her face falling into a saddened expression.

"My days on earth are numbered, Emma. I need to see Alex's kids before I leave."

Brianna's words cut like a knife, willing it to hurt that little bit more on Emma. She had felt this moment dreadfully coming; she knew how Brianna had longed for those grandchildren. But there was no going around it now. She took a deep breath as her voice quivered. "Mother, I have something to tell you," she said, her hands unconsciously creating fists in her lap.

Brianna turned to her, completely attentive, her face full of concern. Emma sighed, feeling the weight of the words she was about to say. "Alex and I are divorced."

It was instant. Her face contorted in disbelief and rage, rising to a shout. "No way! No way will I allow that to happen!" She then turned to one of the maids. "Bring me my phone. I've got to reach Alex this instant."

As Emma had feared, the news did not go down well. Brianna's ferocious reaction had only added to the guilt and the distress that weighed her heart down. But, what was done, was done. Even if Brianna managed to get through to Alexander by some miracle, Emma's mind was made up. She wasn't going back to him. The life she had endured was over, and now, she needed to find a new path forward, even if it meant leaving behind the only family she have left.