Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring Novel

Annie sat stiffly a few seats away , her perfectly composed facade beginning to crack .

Her jaw was clenched , her knuckles white as she gripped the armrests .

Every glance Alexander stole in Emmas direction felt like a dagger to her heart .

Finally , after what felt like forever , they landed at the airport , and Emma tried to grab her bags , but Annie stopped her by gripping her wrist .

I will help you with your bags , Emma .

Annie said , looking straight into Emmas eyes with her brightest gaze .

Although she had no idea what was going on in front of the airport , she was sure of one thing : Emmas fans and well wishers would be waiting for her out there , and considering all the ill things people had said about her in the past , she needed her name rectified , and by helping Emma was the fastest way she could think of .

You … Emma tried to argue , but Annie was the one to back down .

Ive got this .

You need to reserve your energy , Emma .

Slowly , she let go of her bag straps and left Annie to them .

And as Annie had expected , the whole airport was filled with people waiting for Emma .

With Emma on the right side of the Ty tree , Alexander in the middle , and Annie on the left side , they walked into the midst of the crowd with the help of the guards .

Annie made sure to make the bags look way heavier , and she plastered her toothpaste smile on to her face .

But the moment they stepped out of the airport , the air changed as a tiny , feminine voice filled the air .

Mommy ! Little Emily ran up to her mother with Ethan on her tail .

Annies expression changed for a microsecond before it went back to neutral .

Looking at the way Alexander was looking at the twins as they hugged their mother made her stomach churn to the fullest .

For two weeks , she had thought over and over about becoming the twins stepmother .

Whether Emma was ready for it or not , there was no way she could do that now , not with the look on Alexanders face .

Babe,Jadenwhisperedurgently,snappingherout ofherthoughts.Iwillorderforanotherrideassoonaspossible.

ShenoddedwhileignoringAlexandersgazewhichwasburningintoherback.Butbeforetheycouldtakeanotherstep,thesoundofshoutingandhurriedfootstepsfromadistancefrozetheminplace.

Emmaturnedherheadsharply,andherheartsank.

Paparazzi! Aswarmofthemfloodedintotheparkinglot,camerasflashingandvoicesclamoringastheyrushedtowardher.

Mrs.Black! Overhere! Areyoureallybacktoyourhealth?! Isittruethatyourexhusbanddonatedhisliverforyou?! Paniccoursedthroughherveins.Thebrightflashesblindedher,andtheirvoicesmadeitimpossibletothink.Jadensteppedprotectivelyinfrontofher,shieldingerfromtheonslaught,butitwascleartheywouldntmakeitbackinsidewithoutbeingmobbed.

Damnit,Jadenmuttered,lookingaroundforanescaperoute.

Suddenly,Alexandersvoiceslicedthroughthechaos,smoothandcommanding.Getinthecar,now.

Emmahesitated.

Sherefusedtogivein,refusedtogivehimthesatisfactionofawin, butthepaparazziwereclosingintoofast.Shecouldntaffordtheexposurenow.

NotanotherwordwassaidasshereachedforJadensarmandtookoffinasprinttowardthelimousine.Alexandermovedaside,openedthedoor,hisfaceunreadable.OncesheandJadenwereinside,Alexanderhoppedintothepassengerseat,andKevin,hispersonalassistant,hitthegas.

AsEmmaandJadensettleduneasilyintoAlexandersluxuriouslimousine,EmmasgazesweptacrosstheinteriorandlandonAnnie,seatedcomfortablyandwithanairofentitlementthatchurnedherstomach.Anniespresencewas athorninherside,sharpandunrelenting.

Emmaslipsthinnedintoastraightline.ShehadntexpectedAnnie tobehere, butdeepdown, sherealizedsheshouldhave.AnniewasAlexandersgirlfriendafterall.Shewas thewomanhehadchosenandtrustedoverher.

Anniegreetedherwithabeautifulsmile,theoneso oiledandperfectitcouldmelttheheartsofmillionsthroughthescreen.ButnotEmmas.Emmawasnofan;shehadseenthecracksbehindAnniesfacade.She knewthetruthlurkingbeneaththatpolishedexterior,anditonlydeepenedherdisdain Emma, Anniesaid,hertonedrippingwithmocksweetness .

Howareyoufeelingnow?Idohopeyourerecoveringwell.Emmaschest constrictedasangersimmered, bubblingjustbelowthesurface.Annieskindnesswas ashollowasarickety