Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 103

Chapter 103

Annie's chest heaved with anger and anguish. Her voice rose, desperate and raw. "She's going to be a grandmother, Alex! Don you think she deserves to know? To be part of her grandchild's life? This is our chance to finally bridge the gap, to start fresh, all three of us. His eyes opened, glacial, cold, and unyielding; each word a nail the coffin. No room for arguing, no conciliatory hint in his voice. "You are not welcome in the hospital," he stated.

The silence afterward was deafening. Annie's face crumpled, and her tears flowed freely now. Her fingers curled into the sheets, clutching them like they could with anger. "Why!?"

He didn't answer. He couldn'nchor her. "Why are you doing this to me?" she whispered, though she was burning

But Annie wasn't done. Her sobs slowed; her eyes went cold. She took a deep breath, fortifying herself. If he wouldn't give it to her, she would take what was rightfully hers. He might think he could close the door on her, but she wasn't going to be so easily written out of his life. This baby, real or not, would be the key to claim what was her. AAAAA

Emma stepped through the doors; her heart was pounding with each beat, as if it carried a thousand unspoken words. Her palms shook as she grasped a bunch of roses, deep red petals.

The sterile scent of the hospital corridors did little for her frayed nerves. Last night's conversation with Alexander had kept her awake, his voice lingering in her mind like a ghost she couldn't banish.

As she entered the room, her eyes automatically fell upon Brianna. The frail, yet strong, elderly lady sat by the window; the sun shone softly upon her face. To see the soft smile on Brianna's face was a sight that soothed her in a manner that words couldn't explain. Emma didn't hesitate but hurried forward, throwing her arms around Brianna in a careful yet fervent hug,

She pressed a warm, lingering kiss on Brianna's cheek.

"I'm so sorry for being so far away recently," Emma whispered, her voice thick with sincerity. "I've been... busy."

Brianna's eyes, soft with love and understanding, crinkled at the corners. She accepted the bouquet, bringing the roses to her nose and inhaling deeply. "It's fine, dear. Truly," she said, her voice a gentle melody. "You look stunning."

Emma forced a small smile. "You look good too," she said, though her heart clenched at how fragile Brianna still looked, even with the color back in her cheeks.

Her gaze fell upon Vivian, who was hanging back, like some specter of doom. Vivian crossed her arms. On her face, disdain oozed from her eyes, resentment and hatred that Emma knew all too well. The corners of her lips had curved down almost imperceptibly, the silent reminder that peace between them remained but an elusive dream.

Emma swallowed hard and made herself smile politely.

An exaggerated sigh escaped Vivian as she rolled her eyes upwards in open disdain, turning away to get Brianna's bags,. The rejection stung far more than Emma would care to admit. 137

The oppressive silence was finally broken by Brianna's voice, warm and so very hopeful: "Vivian is preparing a welcome home party for me tonight, and I'd like you, Emma, to be there.

Emma's stomach coiled. The thought of stepping into the Black family's life again, of reopening some of those wounds she had taken years trying to heal, almost made her want to turn and run. She was stuck between the love she held for Brianna and the pain still churning under her skin. Scars from betrayal, heartbreak, loneliness.

11:08 Wed, Dec 18 \ @ G

pter 103

She opened her mouth, the words of refusal dancing on the tip of her tongue. She wanted to decline graciously, to protect herself from falling back into the world that had almost destroyed her. But before she could utter a word, Vivian's voice sliced through the air, sudden and keen.

"It will be nice to have you around," Vivian said, catching her by surprise. "Please, come."

Emma glanced back at Brianna-the hope in her eyes pure, genuine, almost breaking as strong as her resolve was.

For Brianna-for this woman who had always managed to show her kindness and present when everything was collapsing, and everyone else turned against her. Emma inhaled deeply, steadying herself.

"Okay," she said softly. The radiant glow of happiness in Brianna eyes almost made Emma forget the ache in her heart, and she smiled back, grasping Brianna's hand. AAAAA

Emma's fingers trembled around the steering wheel, her gaze firmly set on the magnificence of Brianna's house.

The enormous gates, heavy with wrought iron, opened like silent sentinels to the mansion.

Her breath caught in her throat as the past clawed its way to the surface, memories of laughter, heartbreak, and promises that shattered as easily as fragile glass.

She hadn't thought she'd ever come back to this place, to these walls and yet, here she was: standing on the edge of a world she had fled, her heart pounding in her chest like a caged bird.

The cool evening air brushed her cheeks as she stepped out of the car and brought her back to reality.

Her eyes darted to the sleek, expensive cars aligned on the lines near them. It was a sight that only twisted the knot deeper inside her stomach.

She had not expected this much guests which made things even more complicated now.

Forced, her legs moved one step at a time on the stone path, but each step felt heavier than the previous one.

By the time she got to the front door, her hands were ice cold. She suddenly took a quick sharp breath for steadying purposes and hoping to hush the storm inside.

She stepped inside, slowly creaking the door open.