Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 4

The next morning, Emma's buzzing phone woke her up. With blurry eyes, she reached for it, getting rid of the last bits of sleep. She clicked on the message; it was from the company she had contacted two days ago. "It's ready."

Emma took a deep breath as elation and sorrow mixed within her chest. It surprised her just how fast this whole process had gone, but she was so grateful for precisely that. The fake ID she had ordered was a crucial step in her plan to leave her old life behind. She had thoroughly researched the company, reading countless reviews to ensure their work was top-notch, and now, the final piece of her escape plan was ready.

"Alright, I will pick it up this afternoon," she replied, setting the phone down.

A single person more to bid farewell before abandoning all. She wore a modest black dress then left the house, briefly informing Carl, her personal driver that she would not need his service that morning. The last place she intended to visit before disappearing wasn't one she would be welcomed at, but it felt necessary. He deserved that last respect, at least.

Annie's father had passed away two months before and today was his funeral. That was the real reason Annie had come home - the catalyst that brought about the destruction of Emma's marriage. The relationship between Emma, Annie, and Annie's father has turned sour six years ago, and all because of Alexander. But no matter how salty things had become among them, Emma had always respected Annie's father a lot. Eight years ago he had saved her life, pulling her out of the path of an oncoming car and putting his own life at risk in the process. That act of selflessness had stayed with her and, today, she would pay her final respects to the man who once was her saviour.

As the cemetery appeared around the bend of the street, memories assaulted her mind. She had been so young, so naïve, and he had stepped in without hesitation, asking nothing in return. That kind of kindness was rare, and it was why she felt compelled to attend his funeral despite everything that had happened since. It was the least she could do before she vanished from the world she had known for so long.

Using a scarf to conceal her identity, Emma kept her distance from the rest of the mourners, staying far from the crowd.. Standing in her self-imposed exile, she could clearly see Alexander, and her heart plummeted as she saw Annie throw herself at him, tears drenching her face. It was almost more than she could take. And even with the finality of their divorce, it was hard to see the man she had once loved so much now holding another woman so tenderly, whispering words of comfort.

Emma took a deep breath, trying to tell herself to stay calm. She didn't belong in their life anymore, and the view of them together only affirmed that it was time to leave. She probably never would fall in love again, not after this, but better to disappear rather than stay able to watch them rebuild what she never had.

Deciding to leave the cemetery before it became too overwhelming, Emma turned to go, but a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks.

"It's so nice to see you again," Annie sneered.

Emma turned slowly to face her. "And you."

It was almost surreal to think they had once been best friends. Now they were sworn enemies, all because Emma had discovered Annie's secret relationship with Alexander.

"You shouldn't have come," Annie sneered. "Your condolences weren't needed."

"I'm here because of your father, not you," Emma said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Annie laughed and her eyes turned cold with disdain. "And you expect me to believe that? I know why you're really here." She glanced over at Alexander, still some ways away. "He will never be yours again."

"You are free to have him." Emma replied nonchalantly.

Annie's expression darkened, her voice dripping with venom. "He was mine to start with. He never loved you, Emma. The only reason he married you was to protect his inheritance, but now he's back where he belongs, with nothing standing in our way-not even my father. I didn't come back because he died; I came back because of what he said when he was still alive. He told me I could only marry Alex over his dead body, and I'll do just that. I'll give Alexander what you failed to give him."

She giggled and rubbed her tummy.

Emma followed her gaze, and realization hit her like a ton of bricks. Annie was pregnant. Of course, that was the reason Alexander had come home so late that night, rumpled and distracted. He had cheated on her, betrayed her in the worst possible way. The bile rose up in her throat, and with it, the tears threatened, but she swallowed them back down, refusing to break down in front of Annie.

Without another word, Emma turned and walked away, her steps quickening as she saw Alexander approaching. She couldn't face him now, not after what she had just learned. All she wanted to do was escape, just to turn her back and disappear forever from their lives. Emma drove straight to the address sent to her that morning. Her heart was racing as she picked up her new ID with the name "Veronica Moore." It was almost surreal to hold the card in her hand; it brought a strange sense of liberation. Veronica Moore was a fresh start, a new identity clear of the pain and betrayal that had marked Emma's life.

With the money wired to her new account under her new name, she made the decision to leave immediately. That very night, under darkness, she boarded a ship, leaving behind the city of her childhood, the life she knew, and everything that reminded her of Alexander. She took nothing from his house with her; all she had to carry into this new life was her new identity and its promise.

As the ship drifted away from the familiar shores, Emma watched the city fade into the distance, taking with it the remnants of her old life. It is in that night Veronica Moore was born, and with her, the hope of a new beginning.

Days later, while wandering in the streets of her new city, a sudden dizziness got the better of Emma. Before she could steady herself, she fainted and was rushed to the hospital. She opened her eyes to find the doctor standing beside her bed with a kind smile. "Miss Veronica Moore, you are four weeks pregnant," he said gently. "Congratulations."