Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 28

Chapter 28

pulling the bottle away from her lips

Marina stormed into the wine cellar, fury burning in her eyes as she yanked a bottle of her favorite wine from the rack Without hesitation, she pressed it to her lips, taking desperate gulps straight from the bottle. She didn't hear Derek enter. but suddenly he was there, "Give that back! Give it back, Derek!" she shouted, her chest heaving, every word trembling with rage.

"Getting drunk isn't going to fix this, Marina" Derek replied, his voice steady, though concern flickered in his eyes.

Her gaze wavered, and tears pooled, spilling over as her voice cracked. "Derek, you know what I've done to get here. You know! And that bastard just shows up, trying to steal my place! The sacrifices I've made... the lines I've crossed. You remember what we had to do to get Diana out of the way, don't you? And now Veronica thinks she can just walk in and take my spot without a second thought? Everything I've fought for is slipping through my fingers!"

Derek's eyes darted around the room, tehse. "Keep it down, Marina. Someone might hear."

"I don't care!" she shouted, hot tears streaming down her cheeks None of it matters if I lose the only thing I care about!" Derek pulled her close, his embrace familiar but not reassuring They'd been together since university, partners in both lovi and ambition. She'd used her influence to secure him his law job at their company, and together, they had schemed and manipulated for years, laying the groundwork for their eventual rise to power. They hadn't hesitated to orchestrate Diana's death, staging it as a suicide when it looked like Mrs. Walker might not die in time. It had been their darkest secret

"We'll find a way." Derek murmured, running his hand down her back. "I'm here for you, Marina. Whatever you need, I'm yours." He pressed a soft kiss to her lips, his touch grounding her for a moment. "Come with me, baby

Six months after her failed scheme, Marina strode into Mrs. Walker's office, her shoulders squared, a thick file clenched in her hand. She'd tried everything else, this time, she'd do it the legal way. But as Mrs. Walker glanced up at her with that unreadable expression, Marina's confidence faltered.

Without a word, Mrs. Walker opened the file, her gaze skimming over the evidence Marina had gathered on Veronica Moore. She took her time, flipping through the pages, but when she looked up, her face was void of the reaction Marina had anticipated Marina felt her pulse quicken, and she couldn't hold back. "I've brought information about Veronica Moore," she began, her tone dripping with disdain. "She isn't who you think she is. Her real name is Emma Black. She was married to Alexander Black, the CEO of Blackthorn Holdings. Alexander divorced her two years ago, and whatever she did must have been scandalous enough for her to flee the country and change her name. Someone with that past doesn't belong here. It's better to get rid of her now before her history taints us"

Mrs. Walker didn't blink "I've known about her identity for months, Marina. This is nothing new to me" Her words were calm, almost dismissive. "If you really want her gone, bring something worthwhile

For a moment, Marina stood frozen, her mind reeling. Mrs. Walker had known all along and had chosen to do nothing. The betrayal, the humiliation... it was suffocating. Her face burned, and her hands clenched into fists as she fought back a wave of rage. She felt like a fool, exposed and powerless

Snatching the file back, she stormed out of the office, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. As the door closed behind her, hot tears stung her eyes, and she bit down on her lip hard enough to taste blood. Shame twisted in her gut, and she wished desperately for the ground to open and swallow her whole.

AAA

As Mrs. Walker's car pulled up to the preschool that afternoon, she found her thoughts lingering on Emma's past. Now that Marina knew, the secret Emma had kept hidden seemed ready to burst into the open. Mrs. Walker had done her own quiet investigation months ago, uncovering who Emma really was. She'd hoped Emma would confide in her someday, to come

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Chapter 28

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forward on her own once she felt secure. But as time went on, it seemed that day might never come

Her gaze softened as she watched Emma exit the preschool, a twin in each hand. There was a gentleness in the way Emma held the children, a fierce love that was hard to miss. Mrs. Walker had thought she'd lost everything, but fate had granted her a second chance... one she hadn't earned, yet cherished deeply.

"Maw maw!" Emily's delighted squeal broke through her thoughs as the little girl spotted her. Emily's face lit up, and she wriggled with excitement. Her voice was like a song to Mrs. Walker's ears, and she couldn't help but beam back, opening her arms to the child. "Hello, my darling Emily, Mrs. Walker cooed as she took her from Emma's arms, holding her close. Emily squealed again. resting her head against Mrs. Walker's shoulder with a happy sigh

"I'm here darling "Mrs. Walker murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to Emily's forehead, he truth

The car ride home was quiet, but Mrs. Walker's mind was anything but. She couldn't shake the weight of what she had learned, the truth Emma had kept hidden for so long. Late that rught, when the house was silent and the twins were fast asleep, Mrs. Walker gathered her courage and quietly entered Emma's room, motioning for her to step outside with her.

Emma's eyes widened in concern. "Should I get you a cup of milk?" she asked gently, thinking perhaps Mrs. Walker couldn't sleep.

Mrs. Walker shook her head, her expression soft but serious. "No I want to talk to you... Emma."

At the sound of her real name Emma froze feeling as if her heart had stopped. Panic washed over her.

Mrs. Walker knew! She knew everything. Emma's mind raced with fear...fear of being cast out, of losing the safety and warmth she'd found here.

"How? When...?" she whispered, her voice shaky. She sat down needing to steady herself as her legs felt weak beneath her

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