Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring Novel

Chapter 169 Chapter 169 She had packed a small bag for their outing , and was feeling all sorts of unexplainable emotions .

Soon , she pulled up in front of the estate that belonged to Brianna , her hands clenching the steering wheel tightly as she took a deep , steadying breath .

Briannas estate was the most outstanding of them all , with its beautiful landscaping and tall gates .

Her twins , Ethan and Emily , were stuck to the car windows , their wide eyes taking in the awing view .

Wow , Mommy ! exclaimed Ethan .

This place is huge ! Does Mr.

Handsome live here too ? +5 Emma grinned faintly , her heart heavy with emotion .

No , sweetheart , this is where Grandma lives , she explained , reaching back to gently smooth Emilys hair .

But he used to live there when he was young .

Memories of those years came surging forth in a wave .

Back then , Alexander wasnt nice to her , but neither did he freeze her out like ice .

Things only started to go downhill from the moment Annie appeared .

She hesitated for a moment before stepping out of the car , summoning all her courage for the visit ahead .

She quickly made her way around the car and opened the door for Emily , who was still weak and needed the extra help .

But before she could get her out of the car , a figure ran up to them .

A figure she knew so well- Vivian Black .

Her face showed nothing , but inside she was bursting with excitement ; this was what she had been waiting for .

Emily ! Vivian exclaimed breathlessly as she reached the car .

She reached in and took the little girl in her arms , cradling her as if she were the most precious thing in the world .

Emily blinked up at her curiously but did not resist the affectionate gesture .

She pressed a small kiss to Emilys cheek , the movements almost reverent .

Month after month , she had watched the twins from afar and had longed for the chance to be part of their lives .

And now here they were : an opportunity she had only dreamed of .

Ethan was already out of the car , having jumped out through the other door , and stood in the driveway , turning circles as he tried to take it all in .

Mommy , can we live here , too ?! he shouted , his little arms waving as he pointed at the mansion towering above .

Emma couldnt help but chuckle at her sons pure amusement , her heart softened by his innocence .

Lets visit first , Ethan , she said as Vivian carried Emily toward the house .

As they walked toward the huge entrance , Emma looked in Vivians direction .

They had remained at odds for some years now , hardly talking to each other until about a couple of weeks ago when things gradually softened .

Inside , the air was alive and warm , unlike the outside .

Brianna , informed of their visit by one of her workers , was awaiting their arrival in the sitting room , She stood by the wall for support , her movements slow but determined as she made her way toward them weakly .

Her face lit up upon their entrance .

She was genuinely joyful .

Emma , Brianna said , opening her arms wide with emotion .

Emma wasted no time , rushing forward to embrace the woman who had been a pillar of strength and love in her life .

Brianna wrapped Emma in a soft hug , and tears welled up in her eyes , but she blinked them off and held on to this beautiful moment .

You came , Brianna whispered , shaking , her voice breaking .

And you brought them .

Emma nodded , words impossible to express the depth of her gratitude and admiration for this woman whod done so much for her .

When Brianna finally released her , she turned to the twins , bending slightly as her poor knees would permit , opening her arms to them .

Come 14:57 Fri , Jan 31 Chapter 169 here , my angels .

Even if the twins were not his son , she loved them no less ; after all , they were Emmas children , and Emma was like daughter to her .

a With Emmas gentle encouragement ,, Ethan and Emily stepped forward , throwing their small arms around Brianna in a tight hug .

Briannas laughter was soft and shaky , tears glinting in her eyes as she held them close .

Emma stood back , her heart full as she watched the scene unfold In that one momet , all of her fears and uncertainties melted away and were replaced with a sense of belonging and hope .

Meanwhile , Vivian , who had been lingering in the background , quickly pulled out her phone and began typing furiously as she walked out of the living room .

ΑΑΑΑΑ Still lost in the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind about Annies disappearance and the whole Internet frenzy , Alexanders phone buzzed , pulling him back to realit .

It was a message from Vivian .

His heart tightened right away .

It rarely happened that Vivian got in touch with him , and each time she did , it was usually in a case of emergency .

He opened the message , clenching his jaw .

You need to come home now ! He reread the words as his heart began to pound wildly against his chest .

The tone of the message left no room for misinterpretation .

Something was wrong , terribly wrong .

He sat frozen for a moment , holding the phone in a death grip that turned his knuckles white .

Taking a deep , shaky breath , Alexander dialed Vivians number but there was no answer .

His pulse quickened , his frustration mounting .

Why wasnt she picking up ? What could have happened that would make her send such a message and not pick her calls ? Dammit , he muttered under his breath , rising to his feet .

Grabbing his suit jacket and car keys from the edge of his desk , he stormed toward the door .

Just as he reached it , there was a knock , and his secretary stepped in , a stack of files clutched in her hands .

Sir , I … Drop them , Alexander snapped , cutting her off without even sparing her a glance .

Ill handle it later .

His secretary face turned pale at his cold voice , but she wisely stepped aside as he brushed past her .

His usual composed demeanor was cracked , and his movements became rushed as he walked down the hall .

Each step felt heavier than the last .

His mind was racing with worry , yet his face gave nothing away .

The polished , cold exterior that Alexander had perfected over the years was as cold as ever , even as his insides churned with dread .

He couldnt shake the terrible thought that had gripped him the moment he read Vivians message .

What if it was about his mother ? She was fragile and weak , but to even think of her leaving this world , slipping away without him by her side , was almost too much to bear .

Driving home seemed to take an eternity , even as he pushed the speed limit .

14:57 Fri , Jan 31 OMG .

Chapter 169 His fingers drummed restlessly on the steering wheel , his jaw clenched so tightly until it ached.-