Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 37

Chapter 37

Walking before Emma were her twins, and just a few people away, unbeknownst to them, was Annie. Neither woman knew the other was on the plane, each only a few rows apart as they stepped down into the bustling terminal Emma was exhausted, but held together by fierce determination. Emily clung deeper into her arms, while the other arm wrestled with the huge travel bag she had packed. Ethan trailed behind her, his little figure zigzagging between the tile of busy travelers. Emma was aware of every little movement as her senses were on full alert. Ethan, are you there?" she asked, her voice cutting through the noise. She continued to look back, but then the worst. realization dawned on her-Ethan was gone. Panic began to cinch around her heart as her eyes darted across the terminal, scanning every face, every corner, cold fear lacing her chest

Then, her gaze locked onto a sight that felt like a living nightmare. There, in the middle of the lobby, beaming down at her son as if he were the kindest man alive, was Alexander-holding Ethan's ball. Her body went numb, with a deep, hollow ache spreading from her core as cold tears prickled at the edge of her vision. Everything else around her faded away, leaving only the heart-stopping horror of seeing him here, of all days.

Emma gritted her teeth, trying to swallow the lump of dread clawing its way up her throat as she resisted calling Ethan. trying to pull him away from Alexander's reach, knowing it would only make things worse. She forced herself to breathe-to. calm down-every muscle taut with restrained fury and fear.

What was Alexander doing here? Why today, of all days?

"Mommy. Are you all right?" The small voice of Emily cut through Emma's spiraling thoughts and brought her back to earth. Emma forced a smile, but it was hollow, a fragile mask covering her turmoil. "I am fine, sweetie," she whispered. Emma was only frightened, and of this, Emily was not convinced.

"Where is Ethan, Mommy?" On the premises: Emily's puzzled gaze scoured the busy lobby.

"1. I do not know. Emma fibbed; her voice was barely audible.

The little girl looked around, and her eyes widened as she spotted her twin. "Mommy, that's Ethan over there, talking to that handsome man

Emma's stomach dropped and her breath caught. She made an effort to compose herself, but the next words out of Emily's mouth shattered her completely.

"Mommy.. is our daddy that handsome? Why hasn't he come for us before? Does he hate us?"

Emma went cold, her heart twisting painfully. Her children had asked about their father only a handful of times over the years, and she had been able to dance around the questions each time. But this-this was different. She was staring right at Alexander, the man who had broken her, who'd left her to rebuild her life sans him. The father her children had never known

Overwhelmed, her eyes prickled with tears. She blinked them away and forced a soft laugh, screening the ache in her heart "Mommy is here, and Mommy loves you and Ethan more than anything."

But her resolve weakened, a fracas of trepidation building up in her body as she followed Alexander's gaze to see Annie approach him, a smile on her face-a smile that clawed at Emma heart. Anger and hurt whirled in her stomach almost choking her, and her pulse speeded up. This couldn't go on. She needed to get Ethan away before Ánnie noticed him.

The moment she parted her lips to hail, Ethan turned, appearing to sense her, his face lighting up when he spotted her. He ran back to them, blissfully unaware of the tension thickening around thein

Just as Ethan walked away from Alexander, paparazzi ran up to him taking pictures of him and

12:54 Tue, Dec 17 ot

Chapter 37

Emma knelt down and frowned, holding him close. "Ethan, what have I told you about stranger danger?"

He looked up at her quizzically. "He helped me pick up my ball, Mommy. He seemed like a nice guy.

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Emma swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady. "Not every good-looking man is nice, Ethan. You need to understand that. I don't ever want to see you talking to a stranger again. Do you understand?" "Yes, Mommy. I'm sorry." He looked down, guilt crossing his little face. Then, brightening, he added, "Mommy, he said he'd like to play ball with me someday! Can he? ""No." She didn't leave room for an argument.

Emma's mind drifted back to her conversation with the doctor the night before. It will all settle in six months, he said. And she could only hope so-then a temporary rental would do; there was no use putting down roots. This wasn't home anymore. Every corner seemed haunted in this city, mostly with memories she really didn't want resurfacing. Memories of pain, of betrayal, and of the pieces of a life she'd struggled so desperately to leave behind. Yet the events of today had stirred those memories, bringing them painfully close to the surface.

The apartment she'd rented was close to the hospital, a decision she'd made for Emily's treatments. Too close to Alexander's apartment for comfort, but if she kept her head down and held on for six months she could slip away again, back to the life she'd rebuilt. She turned into the apartment complex and pulled the rental car into its spot, turning it off. She gathered her things and gently lifted the drowsy Emily out of her seat. Inside, Emma carefully laid her daughter on the bed, being very sure to get her medication on time. As Emily's breathing softened, Emma allowed herself a sigh of relief and stroked her little girl's forehead with a gentle touch.

When she had settled everything, she reached for her phone and dialed Mrs. Walker's number. As the phone rang on, a strange weight settled over Emma-coming back here, facing old fears, all for the sake of her children. She only hoped she was able to protect them from the ghosts of her past.

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Chapter 38