Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring Novel

Chapter 93 Emma turned into her apartment complex parking lot , her nerves unraveling at the sight of the paparazzi and fans still milling about outside the gates .

Cameras flashed , and excited voices rose as they spotted her car .

Her chest constricted in annoyance .

Arent they ever tired ? She was grateful now that she had told Jaden to go back earlier , though he had been reluctant to do so .

She didnt need the tabloids now to start other stories of her and Jaden .

Already , the kiss with Alexander had taken too much .

space in her head , and she couldnt afford any more chaos .

What she needed was time , time to sort out everything that was happening around her , particularly the surge of emotions she had never expected from that kiss .

With a deep breath , Emma stepped out of her car ; her heart began racing while paparazzi swarmed around the fence .

yelling her name and snapping pictures .

She did not even acknowledge their existence , her head down as she moved toward the building .

The nagging questions about jaden , Alexander , Adam Hersels health , and herself filled her ears like some kind .

of cacophony from which there was no escape .

The tension did not even case when she entered the apartment Her mother was with the kids in the sitting room , bur Emma didnt stop to greet any one of them .

She threw a quick wave and went right into her bedroom , with the door softly shut behind her .

The silence of her room was supposed to bring peace , but it didnt .

Her mind was a storm , memories and thoughts colliding in a chaotic whirlpool .

She could still feel Alexanders lips on hers , the way his hands had gripped her as if letting her go was .

unthinkable .

She hated that her body had responded , hated that her heart had skipped a beat , hated that it made her question everything she thought she had buried ! But she did not have the luxury to dwell on that , not with everything else going on .

Her phone buzzed on the bed , that unknown number that had been calling all day flashing across the screen .

The constant ringing had been gnawing at her patience since the kiss .

With an irritated sigh , she reached for the phone and answered , the , sharpness of her voice more than she meant it to be Hello ! There was a brief pause ; then , a soft , feminine voice spoke up .

Hello , am I speaking with Mrs.

Emma Black ? Emmas eyes narrowed .

Who is this ? This is Jane Manson , the voice said calm but cautious .

The name sent Emma reeling , like a well placed slap across the face .

The memories of that Aurora Honors night flooded in .

clear and incensing .

She could still envision the smug face of Jane as she had poured a drink on her clothes , mocking her in front of everybody .

That night had been a humiliation , but one that proved to be a godsend for her .

Emmas grip on the phone tightened as she remembered the articles she had read the following morning about Janes father company suffering a massive stock drop .

At the time , Emma had felt a grim satisfaction .

Jane Manson had a history of trampling over people for fun , using her wealth and status to shield herself from consequences .

Emma took a deep breath and tried to steady her voice .

What do you want , Jane ? There was a slight pause on the other end of the line ; the stillnes stretched uncomfortably .

I would like to make an appointment with you , Jane replied , her voice breaking a little despite her best efforts to keep it from sounding composed , her hand clamped tight onto the phone .

Weighted upon her chest like an anvil of desperation Things had reeled out of hand since the fateful night , and now were worse than she could have imagined .

Her hitherto peffect life had crumbled , and all that was left of the family that hould have stood by her her father , her mother turned their backs on her and cut her off completely .

1/2 21:21 Tue , Dec 17 Chapter 93 52 % 1 Her haven and shield were gone , the social media accounts she so loved .

The likes , the comments , and adoration that propped up her fragile ego were all gone , leaving her bare and utterly alone .

This call was the last resort , a shameful plea she never thought shed have to make .

There was a pause on the other end of the line , followed by a scoff .

Emmas voice was sharp , slicing through Janes fragile composure like a blade .

What makes you think I take appointments with uncultured brats like you ? The words cut like a lash , and Jane felt her pride shrink before the mass of Emmas contempt .

Her lips parted , but her throat closed and she could not utter a word .

She was beyond control .

With a shaking finger , she fumbled for the disconnect button .

Her hand trembled as she stared into the dark screen , suddenly her room felt too quiet .

Anger was festering inside her like a hot ember stifling her ; she had to let it out .

She let out a savage yell , hurling her phone across the room .

It shattered against the wall : the sound of breaking plastic and glass through the shocked silence .

She stood there , chest heaving , her vision blurred by tears she refused to acknowledge .

What was the point of calling her ? she thought bitterly .

I should have known better .

But desperation had clouded her judgment , leaving her grasping for any lifeline , even one as humiliating as reaching out to Emma Black , the same Emma Black that had been nothing but a pillar of shame since the day Alexander divorced her .

One tear rolled down her cheek , and she furiously rubbed it away , angry at her weakness in front of Emma Black .

Her father the one man who had always been her staunchest ally had pushed her away with icy finality .

And her mother her mother who had always been in her corner wouldnt return her calls .

Jane clenched her fists , her nails piercing into her palms as her breathing grew heavier .

It was as if the walls closed in .

heaving upon her with the weight of her actions .

Before her now , she saw the grim end to her once glamorous life .

Once , she had it all power , influence , and the blind adoration of millions now she had nothing : no allies , no refuge .

And the hundreds of people she had wronged along the way werent about to forgive or forget her .

Sliding to the floor , Jane buried her face in her hands , and her tears finally broke free .

It was for the first time in her life that she felt the real sting of defeat , much deeper than she had ever #thomed .

Her pride had been her fortress , and now it lay in ruins .

And in an instant , there flashed the vision of her parents- expressionless faces with disappointment etched in the eyes .

No consolatory words , no reassuring words that all would be well , were forthcoming from them .

Reality hit hard and her breath started coming in ragged gasps .

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