Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring Novel

Chapter 167 Alexander closed his eyes , running a hand through his hair as he let out a heavy sigh .

He leaned back into his chair , the weight of the situation weighing heavy upon him .

His stomach churned with regret .

He never should have handed her the keys to his car .

Hed only done it to de escalate the situation , to prevent her from causing more of a scene .

But now , that decision may prove rather costly .

His mind was racing with the possible outcomes of this .

Annie was putting her life in danger , and so was that of his unborn child .

As much as he had emotionally shut himself off from Annie , this was a serious issue he couldnt ignore .

Of course , there was also the media to contend with : one word concerning Annies disappearance , and chaos would ensue .

Speculation would be off , and those fingers would point directly at him and Emma ..

Their names with their twins would be dragged in the mud .

The world would portray them as villains .

The world he was building for his family could get ruined , the legacy of his forefathers destroyed .

Alexander leaned forward , his hands gripping the edges of the desk as if trying to control himself .

This doesnt leave this room , he said firmly , his voice low but charged with authority .

Make sure the press doesnt get a whisper of this .

Do whatever it takes to keep this quiet .

Kevin nodded , his expression resolute .

Understood , sir .

Ill double the resources on the search team .

Well find her Great , Alexander said , but little conviction was in his voice .

As Kevin turned and hurried out of the office , Alexander fell back in his chair to stare at the roof .

His head was reeling with questions , doubts , and regrets : What if Annie wasnt found ? What if she was but too late for the baby ? And what about the aftermath that would certainly come afterwards , the judgment , the scandal ? He would stop at nothing to find Annie , to know his unborn child was safe .

ΔΑΛΛΑ Emmas hand trembled slightly as she clicked the link several people had sent her .

The video of Brianna defending her started to play , and Emmas chest tightened with emotion .

She hadnt expected this , not from Brianna , who had been recovering from a health issue and had been so quiet since her return from the hospital .

But here she was , standing tall , speaking with unwavering strength , and openly defying the tide of public hatred that had been directed at Emma .

Tears welled in Emmas eyes as she watched Brianna passionately defend her , disregarding her own health to come to her aid.

Brianna was like a mom to her always so protective and ready for a fight on behalf of whatever she believed was right .

The depth of Briannas love and loyalty finally broke through the barriers Emma had built around her heart , filling her both with gratitude and guilt .

She turned her head in the direction of the twins playing : Ethan building a tower , working with his blocks , and Emily giggling at every wobbly move her brothers creation was making .

They had no idea how surrounded with love they were , how privileged they were to have people like Brianna around them , not yet at least .

Poor Brianna ; she would be so elated when she finally found out that the grandkids she had often asked Emma about were right here , growing and flourishing .

Emma could almost picture Briannas face lighting up with joy , the tears that would spill when she held Ethan and Elena for the first time as her grandkids .

15 : 27 / Thu , Jan 30 t Chapter 167 68 % It was a moment she had never dared imagine , yet now it replayed in her mind with detail .

For the first time , she was able to allow herself to believe that such a moment could really be possible and that it was something worth fighting for .

Her mind turned to Alexander , her rock in the storm .

And with his unshakeable support , she had the strength to carry on , to stand amidst a thousand hate comments and false accusations without crumbling .

The insults and curses hurt , but with Alexander , they sounded like whispers in the wind .

With him by her side , together they were strong against the verdict of the world .

For the first time in years , Emma did not feel alone .

Mommy ? Ethans inquisitive voice jerked her back into the present .

He stood before her with big , inquiring eyes .

Why didnt I go to daycare today ? She smiled and bent down to rumple his hair .

Because Mommys been busy lately , sweetie , she said softly .

Youll when the time is right .

go back Ethans head cocked , weighing her words ; then he burst into a grin , running back to his blocks .

Emma watched him , her heart swollen with love at her twins laughter , their innocence .

To sum it all up , her children meant the world to her .

Emma sat up on the couch , hands clasped together tightly as her gaze moved between her children .

Her heart swirled uncontrollably in her chest with emotion , guilt , love , and fear .

She still could not wrap her head around how Alexander hadnt seen it right before him every time he looked at Ethan .

Ethan was nearly an exact clone of Alexander : unruly dark hair , a sharp jawline , and striking features .

In fact , the resemblance was just as identical as two peas in a pod .

Yet Alexander had not noticed him .

Granted , there were subtle differences , like Ethans eyes were a shade lighter , his lips not as full .

Still , the similarity was striking .

She had been so sure Alexander would have pieced it together the minute he laid eyes on Ethan , but his anger and pain and stubborn refusal to really see her had blinded him to the truth .

But she is relieved its finally over .

She has no more secrets tied to her name .

Her gaze shifted to her daughter , Emily , who lay on the small bed Emma had moved into the living room .

Soft , pale light bathed the room , casting fragile light upon Emilys frail face .

Though Emilys health had improved since starting treatment , she was now so weak , so vulnerable .

The doctor had said it was weakness due to some sort of drug , but Emma just couldnt shake off that knot of fear twisting her chest .

Every time Emily smiled , it was like the sun breaking through a storm .

Her tiny lips arced , and her eyes bright with a strength that Emma clung to with all her might .

Emily was a fighter , but the clock was ticking .

The treatment that Emily needed had a six month window , and time was running out .

15:27 Thu , Jan su