Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 126

Chapter 126

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Emma hunched down, pulling her children into a tight embrace Their little arms went around her neck, and shutting her eyes, she drank the moment in. "I shall be gone for three days," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "But I will be back even before you know it. Be good for grandma, Brandon, and nurse Kelly, okay?

Her children nodded. Their faces were a mix of understanding and reluctance. The little one clung on to her, her wee hands grasping onto her mother's jacket. "Promise you'll come back soon, Mommy," she whispered.

"I promise, love," Emma replied, as she pressed a kiss upon her daughter's forehead. "You'll be so busy you won't even notice I'm gone."

Behind them, Brandon watched the tender moment in silence. His eyes lingered on Emma a little too long, his emotion raw from their misunderstanding. He had promised her he would take charge of the hospital visits as she went away, yet the tension between them was heavy in the air. Finally, Emma stood. For one brief second, her eyes met his before looking

away.

The unspoken words hung heavily in the air. Just hours ago, Brandon had confessed his feelings for her, and though she had gently but firmly turned him down, the sting of it lingered for both of them. She doubted if things between them could ever go back to how they were.

Mrs. Walker's voice cut through the silence. "Emma, would you bring me something of Diana's when you come back? I'd like to feel close to her again." Emma nodded and hugged her mother.

Within minutes, Emma was packing her things into the back of the car, and Brandon readied himself to take her to the airport. The ride was silent, with the weight of their unresolved emotions bearing down upon them. He glanced at her every now and then, but Emma kept her eyes firmly fixed on the window. At the airport, Brandon helped her with her bags.

"Please, take care of them," Emma said quietly, her voice tinged with awkwardness.

"I will," Brandon answered, his voice firm, but his heart was torn as he watched her disappear into the terminal. He had declared his love, and she had rejected him. It hurt much more than he would acknowledge, but he would rather suffer the ache of rejection than lose her altogether.

Returning home, Brandon shook off his emotions and focused on his promise to Emma. He drove Emily to the hospital for her session, keeping her spirits high with stories and jokes, masking the turmoil he felt inside.

Meanwhile, Emma sat down in the first-class section of the plane. She took a deep breath, pulling out the magazine about her company and trying to distract herself in its pages. The privacy of the room-like space soothed her, gave her a chance to gather her thoughts. But unbeknownst to Emma, the inhabitant of the first class cabin right next to her was Annie.

ΔΑΛΛΑ

Alexander sat at his huge dining table with the morning light flowing in through the huge windows, playing with the food on his plate. He was not hungry. Annie's absence weighed on his mind. For the second time that week, she had left the mansion before he woke up, claiming it was because of her pregnancy.

He couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of his stomach. Their relationship was far from perfect, but she and their baby were his responsibility. The thought of her not getting the best possible care gnawed at him. Transferring her to his hospital, where he could ensure she got premium treatment, seemed like the most logical step.

Breaking the silence, Alexander set his fork down and turned to Kevin, his personal assistant. "We'll visit Annie at the hospital before heading to the office," he said, his tone firm as he rose to his feet, heading out of the house. 10:48

Wed,

Chapter 126

"Yes, sir," Kevin replied, following closely behind him as they exited the mansion.

Once inside the sleek black car, Kevin started the engine and began driving toward the hospital. The journey was quiet as it always was, until suddenly one phone rang loud, breaking the silence. He looked at the screen before turning over the phone to Alexander. "It's the second headquarters, sir," he said.

Alexander snatched the phone without hesitation, bringing it to his car. His face darkened almost instantly as the voice on the other end relayed urgent news. His grip on the phone tightened, his knuckles turning white.

"Cancel all my appointments for today," Alexander said coldly, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. Kevin shivered at the tone, a tone he'd heard only a few times before, and always when the news was dire. "Tutn the car around and book my flight immediately. We're leaving the country as soon as possible."

"Understood, sir," Kevin said, making a sharp U-turn. He didn't dare ask any questions, but the tension that Alexander was radiating was palpable, a storm brewing in the confined space of the car.

Upon their arrival at the airport, Alexander walked down the terminal confidently, his steps sounding like a time bomb. Kevin trailed behind him as he tried to keep pace with his boss's strides. The air around Alexander seemed to freeze, an icy aura that made people instinctively step aside as he passed.

The phone call replayed in his mind, words echoing as some sort of haunting melody. Five hundred million dollars were stolen by the general accountant of the second headquarters from the neighboring country.

It was an extraordinary level of betrayal. One Alexander could not forgive or to turn a blind eye toward.

Alexander's company was everything: a fortress his forefathers had built brick by brick, and he wouldn't let anyone tarnish it during his watch. It infuriated him that someone actually had the guts to think they could outsmart him.

Kevin quickly attended to all the logistics, arranging for a private jet to whisk them away. Alexander ascended the steps to the plane with his face on fire with anger. He vowed that he would never sleep before the thief was found and brought to book, no matter the cost.

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