Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring Novel

Chapter 84 Alexander sat at his desk , the article staring back at him from the screen of his tablet .

His jaw clenched , and his fists ineluctably curled into balls as he reread the headline : Alexander Blackthorn and Annie Expecting Their First Child ! The words swirled in his mind , taunting him .

He had not expected Annies announcement , let alone the speed at which it would spread like wildfire .

Within hours , it was an unstoppable ringing of telephones , from relatives , colleagues , and even the press inquiring and congratulating But deep down , this happiness he should feel was far beyond his reach , just a murmur of an echo .

It was like the congratulatory words all flowed in and just dug a well in his stomach .

Shouldnt he be happy ? A baby was supposed to be a blessing , and yet all Alexander could feel was his chest tight with unbearable constriction .

The drive home was a blur ; his mind was racing , flitting between confusion and frustration .

By the time he got home , he was hanging on by a thread .

He burst through the front door ; the sound of his footsteps ominously echoed through the house .

Annie lay on the couch , her smile wide and bright , lapping up the attention the news had brought her .

What gave you the right to tell the world about the pregnancy without coming to me first ? Alexander asked without preamble .

Were you even planning on coming to me , or was this just your decision to make ? Annies face froze .

Her eyes welling up with tears , she leapt up as if clutching her tummy would protect the baby from the blow of his words .

How can you say that , Alex ? How could you even think I would keep my baby from the world ? Dont you understand ? This is joyous news ! Her voice finally cracked with emotion as the dam finally broke , sending streams cascading down her cheeks .

I thought youd be happy .

I thought wed be happy .

Dont tell me .

Her voice dropped to a whisper , shaking with accusation Dont tell me youre having second thoughts about our baby .

Alexander stood rigid , her words lashing against him like a tempest .

He said nothing .

Instead , he spun on his heel and made for the bedroom in long strides without so much as a backward ance .

Behind him , Annies sobs began to ring out , but he slammed the door shut , blotting out her cries .

Once inside , the rooms walls tended to move in on him .

What used to be known as his home was both claustrophobic and suffocating .

As of late , everything in life seemed out of control , and decisions weighed larger and stronger on his shoulder bones .

He fell on to the bed , clasping his face between his palms .

Alexander hadnt been sleeping for days now , ever since that night .

Whenever he shut his eyes , Emmas face loomed before him her shining smile , her gait full of confidence as she strutted up to the podium as the enigmatic CEO of W2 Holding .

The image tormented him with what he had let slip away .

It was a memory that came unsolicited : the moment their eyes met across the room that night , the slight trembling of her lips before she turned away .

She had seemed untouchable , invincible , yet her presence stirred something raw and unyielding inside him .

He couldnt escape it .

He couldnt escape her .

Trate , Alexander hauled himself off the bed and into his home office .

The silent darkness of the space brought little comfort , but it was better than suffocating in his own room .

He yanked open the liquor cabinet , pulling out a half fall bottle of whiskey .

Not bothering with a glass , he took a long , burning swig Whiskey hadnt really dulled the ache in his chest , and he continued drinking as if to try and drown emotions clawing at him .

He leaned back in his chair , looking blankly up to the ceiling .

His mind roamed back to Emma , how she had looked at him with trust and warmth , how he had allowed that to slip away from him .

Why cant I just forget ? he muttered hoarsely to himself .

His hard tightened on the bottle as his emotions wrestled with each other guilt , regret , longing .

He had everything he was supposed to want : Annie , a baby , a life free from the shackles of his past .

Yet none of it brought him peace .

Time dragged along , and the bottle bit by bit , lay empty .

The house was quiet except for the intermittent sound of Annie … .

getting restless Alexander didnt really care .

He was beyond car too entrenched into his mad maze of thoughts .

By dawn , the soft morning light bathed the office , Alexander slumped in his chair , having forgotten the bottle on the desk , 1/2 2/2 21.19 Tue , Dec 17 Chapter 84 53 His head ached from the action of the alcohol , but so different was the ache in his chest .

He looked down at his phone- dozens of messages lighting up the screen from well wishers .

There was only one that would have mattered , but he knew she wouldnt even try .

AMM for The following morning , it just seemed like the world had gone stark raving mad .

News of Emilys weak health condition .

coupled with the disaster at Ethans daycare had spread in no time .

Social networking sites became flooded with prayers Emily and Ethan as people who never knew them poured their hearts into the messages .

Angry and hate messages began to pour in for Adam Hershel , a man whose carelessness brought on the collapse of the daycare center .

Crowds had gathered outside of the prison in which Adam was held , carrying signs that read Justice for Ethan and Children Deserve Better ! Their voices rose in chants , demanding accountability ; their fervor was testimony to the heartbreak and fury the incident had ignited .

Meanwhile , Emmas life was no longer recognizable as it had once been .

The small apartment that she loved so much was .

stormed by paparazzi and overnight fant who lined the street , cameras flashing at whatever moved .

Some waved banners with get well soon , Emily slogans , while others just wished to get a glimpse of the family that was out of the blue thrown into the limelight She peered through the curtains , and her stomach twisted in unease at the sight outside overwhelming a sea of people .

She knew they meant no harm , but it was painfully obvious that this would no longer be her life as she liked it : normal and quiet .

With a heavy heart , she reached for her phone and dialed her personal assistant .

When the call connected , Emmas voice shook with exhaustion .

I need you to find a more secure apartment for us .

Somewhere private , somewhere no one can reach .

We cant stay here anymore .