Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring Novel

Chapter 55 That night , sleep cluded Emma as the words of Jalen replayed in her mind like an echo , reminding her of his pitiable request .

She sincerely wanted to be able to help him , but doing to would only mean putting at risk the stability and safety she had fought to give her children .

Her family would have to cine first , and heavy hearted , she made the decision to push the request by Jaden to the back of her mind .

The following morning dawned peacefully .

The sun shone brightly , and the beaming smiles of her twins warmed her up inside .

Having seen Ethan off at daycare , Eimma took Emily to be appointment at Blackthorn Hospital .

When she was sure that Emily was in the care of her medical teams , Emma made her way to Briannas room .

She found Brianna sitting by the window looking very fragile , serming lost in thought .

As Emmeared her , she felt worried .

Mother , are you alright ? she asked softly , taking Brianas frail hand in her own .

Briannas eyes softened , but there was a hint of sadness in them .

Where is Alexander ? I have not seen you both together lately .

Emmas heart sank , knowing that Brianna was in precarious health and that the knowledge that she was separated from Alexander might be more than she could handle .

She had never discussed the present status of her marriage with her to added concern .

save Brianna from an Alexander has been busy with work , she said quietly .

But he will see you soon .

I promise .

Brianna sighed loudly , her fragile fingers lying in Emmas .

Emu , I want grandchildren .

I dont know how much time I have left Emma felt her throat tighten , but she made a reassuring smile .

Mother , dont say that .

Youre here , and Im here with you .

We have time .

Briannas gaze went dreamy as she stared out the window .

I need to talk to you and your husband .

I want grandkids .

These words by Brianna weighed upon Emma .

She silently wished she could be open with Brianna for once and tell her about her four year old grandchildren , but she knew she could .

That was the last thing she would ever do .

She couldnt risk exposing herself and letting Alexander forcefully take her kids away from her .

She looked for an answer to this when , out of the blue , the door opened .

She raised her head to find Alexander standing there , dressed flawlessly and as magnetic as ever .

The tide of memories filled her brain , memories of the last time she had been in close proximity to him , how his presence had left her breathless .

She steeled herself , trying to rein in the emotions .

flaring to life in her belly .

Alexander , Brianna bubbled with delight , a part of her old self seeming to swim to the surface and light up her entire face .

Come , sit with your wife , she invited him , nodding to the small couch on which Emma was seated .

Emmas heart rate quickened as Alexander crossed the room , his eyes inscrutable as he approaches .

He sat down beside her , the musky scent of his cologne waft toward her ..

several inches separating them , but it felt suffocating .

She could intoxicatingly familiar , stirring emotions she had tried to bury Brianna watched them , her eyes sparkling with quiet satisfaction .

Its good to see you two together, she murmured contentedly .

She could feel Alexanders presence beside her , every inch of her skin acutely aware of him .

She sat in silence , afraid that motions bubbling inside her .

Briannas happiness weighed on her .

even a glance in his direction might betray the swirl of filling her with a strange mixture of guilt and longing , as if just for that moment she too could pretend nothing had changed .

But just entered with her face clouded by fear , her voice low but urgent .

Sir , your attention is needed outside , and you too , maam , she said , looking from Alexander to Emma .

attenten , the door opened , and a nurse Emmas brow furrowed in confusion , and her heart turned uneasy suddenly .

Why would both of them be called out at once ? Chapter 55 She couldnt fathom anything well worth the urgency yet rose wardlessly to her feet , following Alexander from the room .

She kept a slight distance between them , her mind racing with easy thoughts .

Coming out of the hospital , they were greeted by a storm of chees and laughter , the outpouring of a celebration .

The popping of a champagne bottle echoed in the air , and before she could make sense of it all , there was a surge of people towards pouring glasses .

Emma blinked , utterly bewildered , her yes jumping from one unknown face to another , trying to make out what was going on .

And then she saw it : a big banner unfolding before her eyes , letters in an overly dramatic script ; Happy Birthday , Love , A sharp sting pinched her chest as she spotted the figure holding the banner , someone she knew all too well .

Annie was standing at the center of the crowd , grinning with that same , all too familiar smugness .

She was the picture of a conqueror , her eyes gleaming as she strode toward them with a money bouquet , a lavish display wrapped in a halo of arrogance .

The scene was surreal , cruelly ironic , each second twisting the knife deeper as Emina stood frozen in place .

It was then that Emma remembered today was Alexanders birthday .

Shed forgotten , a fact that filled her with a dull ache as her mind whisked her back in time to their first year together .

She remembered the excitement with which she had planned his birthday , the surprise dinner she had arranged , the flowers , and the handmade card .

She had waited all evening , only for him to turn up late , exhausted and indifferent , and to brush her off with a belittling Its just another day .

She had told herself then that he didnt care about birthdays .

But now , as she watched him here , it was starkly obvious : it wasnt that he didnt care .

It was that her efforts had never mattered in the first place .

Annie sashaved up to Alexander , her face reddening like a schoolgirls , and handed him the gigantic money bouquet .

Emmas stomach twisted as Alexanders reacted .

He was too thrilled , too comfortable .

Annie snaked her arms around his neck ; her face lit with that kind of devotion that Emma had once yearned for but never gotten .

I simply cant fathom living without you , Alexander , Annie coord , her voice dripping as sweet as syrup as she turned and gave a triumphant glance over Alexanders shoulder at Emma .

Happy birthday to the best man in the world .

And in the blink of an eye , before Emma could even have time to bat an eyelash , Annie pulled him into a kiss , her lips pressing insistently against his while her eyes , cold and taunting , femained steadfastly locked with Emmas .

Emma just stood there , every emotion warring inside of her , the pain , the bitterness , helpless fury .

Shed convinced herself time and again that she was over Alexander , that he no longer had any power over her .

And yet , here she was , watching him kiss another woman , her heart buckling under the weight of his betrayal .

It felt like a cruel joke , a wound that was never allowed to heal .

And the ultimate fright of it all , Alexanders arm went around Annie , drawing her closer and deeper into thekiss .

1 Every fiber in her body screamed to turn and leave , to get away from this humiliation .

But Annies voice cut through the crowd , halting Emma in her tracks .

Emma , wait ! she called out hurrying up to her with an expression so contrived it almost looked comical .

I havent had the time to talk to you sing our last encounter , she said , feigning innocence .

Im so sorry for how I spoke to you .

I hope youll forgive me .

Emmas patience snapped , her voice low but laced with venom .

Drop the act ; it only makes you uglier Annies expression faltered , her eyes hardening as her sugary smile twisted into something darker .

She leaned in , placing her voice at a whisper .

I warned you to leave the country .

Emma didnt flinch , her chin lifting defiantly .

And what will you do if I dont ? But just as the words had barely left her lips , her phone buzzed her pocket .

She glanced down , her blood turning cold as she read off the name on the screen .

It was one of Ethans bodyguards .

Emmas heart missed a beat ; a chill ran up her spine .

She hadnt picked the call , yet dread filled her .

She felt the stare of Annie upon her , a smirk tugging at the edges of her mouth , and suddenly Emma felt a sense of foreboding wash over her .

Her hands shook as she reached for the call , her hearing barely possible over the roar in her ears .

She could tell , even without the voice at the other end speaking , that something was horribly off .

Her son ! Her precious Ethan ! Panic surged through her as she hastened away from the crowd , her heart thudding as she listened to the voice on the other end .

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