Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 105

Chapter

105

Emma's heart stopped for a beat. The glass slipped in her fingers and she barely managed to tighten her grip in time. All eyes turned toward her, a wave of heat rising to her cheeks. But one of those gazes pierced her quite like Alexander's. His eyes dark and intense locked onto her with a force that made the air feel too thin, too sharp. Her skin prickled, a shiver running down her spine as if his gaze alone could unravel her.

She bit her lip hard, cursing under her breath. Slowly, she stepped forward, each footstep heavy with dread and unspoken

emotions.

Her mind whirled, wondering what Brianna wanted, hoping she could muster the strength to endure whatever was coming

next.

Brianna's eyes sparkled with warmth and expectation. "Your gift, dear. I can't wait to see what you've brought me," she said, her voice fragile yet filled with joy. "My daughter."

Emma's chest tightened at the word 'daughter. It was an anchor that she cherished yet feared. She blinked back the sting of tears and forced a small smile, her fingers trembling as she reached for the gift she'd brought.

But before she could hand it over, movement caught her eye. Alexander rose abruptly, the scrape of his chair loud in the quiet room. He didn't say a word, his jaw clenched, eyes a storm of unreadable emotions. Without a glance back, he walked out of the room, his footsteps echoing long after he was gone.

As Emma turned to walk back to her seat and retrieve the gift she'd brought for Brianna, the room's atmosphere shifted suddenly once again.

A ripple of confusion and curiosity spread through the guests.

Murmurs died down, and heads turned toward the entrance, eyes widening as they spotted who had just walked through the door

Annie!

Emma's breath caught in her throat, anger coursing through her veins. Annie's arrival was added more to her already stormy evening.

Annie was dressed in a shimmering gown clinging to her figure, the deep red color shining bright under the chandelier .Her heels clicked against the floor calculated step, echoing louder than they should have.

A self-satisfied smile curled her lips as she looked left and right, soaking in the attention like it was her birthright.

The air thickened.

Emma could feel every heartbeat pounding in her chest.

A figure moved sharply, it was Vivian. Her chair scraped back as she stood abruptly, the sound slicing through the tense silence.

Vivian eyes turned to icy daggers aimed squarely at Annie. The rigid set of her shoulders, the clenched fists at her sides. Everything about her radiated fury barely held in check.

The room collectively held its breath, everyone sensing that the hell was about to break lose.

Then, as if Annie hadn't already done enough, she raised up a small banner she'd been holding by her side.

"Welcome home, Grandma-to-be!"

Gasps rippled through the crowd, the words slicing through the room like a whip.

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Chapter 105

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Eyes darted toward Brianna, whose face went pale, the light of joy that had been present minutes ago snuffed out in an instant. The trembling of her frail hands wasn't obvious but Emma saw it. 14%1

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Annie's smile grew wider, more triumphant, as if she were feeding off the chaos she'd ignited. Her gaze flickered to Emma, then back to Brianna, her eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction. She took a step forward, aiming for Brianna, but Vivian was faster.

an anger t

Vivian blocked her path, her presence a wall of fierce protection Her eyes blazed with could have scorched the ground beneath them.

"How dare you?" Vivian's voice was low and lethal, cach word like a dagger plunged into the air between them. "What makes you think you're welcome here?"

Annie's smile faltered for just a second, but she recovered quickly, lifting her chin defiantly. "I was invited," she said, her voice sugary-sweet. "Alexander wanted me here. Isn't that enough?" she lied.

Vivian's nostrils flared, her body trembling with restrained rage. The betrayal she felt toward her brother was palpable. How could he allow this? After everything their mother had suffered, how could he invite her with no regard for Brianna's fragile health?

Brianna's frail frame trembled as she slowly rose to her feet, but the fire in her eyes burned with disgust and anger. She gripped Vivian's wrist tightly, her touch firm but gentle. She was gesturing for her day to step aside. Vivian hesitated, worry etching lines on her face, but she obeyed, stepping away reluctantly.

The room was silent, the weight of the moment suffocating. All eyes were locked on Brianna.

Brianna's gaze bore into Annie, filled with a simmering rage that refused to be hidden.

Her voice was low but laced with steel. "What the hell do you think you're doing here?"

Annie's face fell, her earlier arrogance melting into a pitiful sight. Her eyes glistened, and she tilted her head in pity. "I'm so glad you're back home, Mom," she said softly, her voice trailing as if tears threatened to fall. "I could hardly hide my joy when I heard you'd been discharged from the hospital."

The words were syrupy but Emma wasn't falling for it.

"I thought you'd want to know," Annie continued, her voice trembling just enough to sound convincing. She slowly placed her hand on her stomach. "That I'm carrying your grandchild." She said the last words slowly before turning to the crowd with a bold, defiant look. "You're going to be a grandmother."

Emma took a deep breath. Even though this wasn't her first time of hearing about Annie's pregnancy, she still couldn't help how she felt regarding the news. Her heart tightened with unexplainable sadness. Annie began to weep, tears rolling down her cheeks. Brianna's jaw tightened, her knuckles white as her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Her voice, when she spoke, was cold and razor-sharp. "Is that so?"

"Yes," Annie replied, her confidence returning like a mask slipping back into place. Her eyes locked onto Emma for a quick seconds, narrowing with contempt. "Unlike some people here, I actually belong to this family."

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