Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring Novel

COMMENT Chapter 25 Although high on drugs and only partially aware of her surroundings , Annies heart raced when she heard the unmistakable .

sound of a car pulling into the garage .

Alexander ! He was the only one whod come home at this hour .

Panic surged through her .

She had assumed he wouldnt be back tonight and had let herself indulge far 100 freely .

Now , she needed a plan and fast .

With unsteady steps .

Annie stumbled toward the wine cellar , grabbing the first bottle within reach .

She rushed back to the bedroom , emptied most of the wine into the bathroom sink , and then took a small sip , hoping the faint scent would mask any lingering signs of the drugs in her system Quickly , she slipped into a long sleeve blouse to cover any track marks , then returned to bed , trying to appear merely drunk .

Moments later , Alexander entered the room and found her sprawled across the bed , a wine bottle beside her .

He sighed , running a frustrated hand through his hair .

He couldnt really blame her , today had been a disaster .

If only things had gone differently , he thought .

They would have been celebrating their wedding tonight .

But lately , everything seemed to be unraveling beyond his control .

The next morning , Alexander and Vivian stood by their mothers bedside , the silence in the hospital room thick with anticipation .

They watched as their mother , Brianna , slowly opened her eyes , blinking against the bright fluorescent lights , her expression clouded with confusion .

Alexanders stomach churned , a heavy knot of anxiety twisting tighter with each second .

He didnt want to believe what the doctors had said .

He wanted them to be wrong , desperately .

Briannas gaze roamed around the room , her brow furrowing as if searching for something , or someone .

Vivian , her face streaked with tears she had tried and failed to suppress , leaned forward and wrapped her arms around their mother .

Mom she whispered her , voice breaking , Im here .

Brianna returned Vivians embrace but continued to scan the room , her confusion deepening .

Her lips parted as she took a shaky breath .

Where .

where is your wife , Alex ? Her voice was weak but firm , carrying the authority of a woman who had always known her familys ins and outs .

Why isnt she here with you ? Alexander felt a chill settle over him , his worst fears starting to solidify .

He glanced at Vivian , who had frozen , her eyes wide with disbelief .

Mom Vivian murmured , struggling to process the question .

Alexander swallowed hard , hoping his mother would drop the topic , but Briannas sharp gaze found him .

I want you to bring Emma to me now , she said , each word steady , laden with strength that belied her fragile state .

I havent seen her in a while , and I miss her .

Vivian turned to Alexander , her own confusion turning to concen as she looked at his pale face .

Brother , whats going on ? Emma … isnt here , she … Her voice trailed off as if , the truth was oo heavy to voice .

Alexander took a deep breath , but before he could even begin to explain , his mothers eyes narrowed , and her tone grew more insistent .

Alexander , what is wrong with you ? Go get her .

I want to see her .

Brianna situation worsened over the months and her thirst for seeing Emma multiple over a thousand folds but no matter how many times she requested for Emma , Alexanders mind was made up , he was done dealing with Emma ans besides Emma was now living her live to the fullest with that good for nothing man that could hardly gather three figures together .

1/2 71 %%% Chapter 25 Months had passed 3ince Alexander had suddenly postponed their wedding , and yet he hadnt spoken a word about setting a new date .

Annies patience was wearing thin .

Alexander seemed consumed with caring for his mother , Brianna , rather than attending to her , his fiancée .

The more he brushed her aside , the more her resentment grew burning within her like a slow , smoldering fire .

She pressed her hand to her shoulder , where an old bullet scar by hidden beneath her clothes .

It was a constant reminder of her predicament and her dwindling time .

Annie knew it was only a matter of time before the man she owed came to collect She bit her finger anxiously , her mind racing to think of a way on .

She needed money , and she needed it fast , Her gaze darkened as she thought of Brianna .

It had been near impossible to get close to Alexanders mother since her recent health crisis .

Brianna , for reasons Annie couldnt quite grasp , had grown even more cold toward her , rejecting her offers to visit , and Alexander had backed his mothers decision , keeping Annie as far from the hospital as possible .

Every time she had suggested visiting Brianna , Alexander would brush her off or shut her down , as though she were an outsider .

Annie cursed under her breath .

Brianna needed to die for her to finally feel at peace .

It was the only way to truly secure her future .

But how was she supposed to plan anything when she wasnt even allowed near the hospital ? She took a deep breath, and a new idea crept into her mind Vivian , she muttered to herself , her lips curling into a wicked smile .

Vivian might be her way in .

Despite her reputation as a spoiled brat , Vivian had always seemed pliable and gullible to Annie .

But Annies hopes were dashed when Vivian turned down her attempts at bonding , refusing to go against her mothers wishes .

That left Annie with no option but to act alone If she couldnt access Briannas estate directly she would find another way to get what she needed .

A few nights later , just before Alexander returned from work , a group of masked robbers broke into his building , heading straight for one of the few places he hadnt touched since Emma left , Emmas bedroom .

The robbers carried away millions worth of Emmas jewelry , pieces Alexander had kept untouched , as he has been reluctant to erase the last traces of his ex wife from his life .

When he discovered the theft , fury surged through him .

He had left Emmas room untouched , preserving every item in its place , for reasons even he didnt know .

But now , some brazen thieves had broken in , violated that space , and taken her precious belongings .

He was ready to call the police , to have every item tracked down But before he could dial the number , Annie appeared , her face pale and trembling , clutching her stomach as she sank into a chair .

She claimed to be shaken from the shock of the robbery , using soft , soothing words to draw Alexanders attention to her fragile state .

She pleaded with him not to call the police , suggesting that involving them wouldnt do any one of there any good .

Her delicate act worked , and Alexander , albeit reluctantly , abandoned the idea of calling the police …