Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 42

Chapter 42

All night. Alexander pored over the names, sifting through each with relentless focus. His mind strayed to Emma, to that first time she'd hidden herself behind the name Veronica Moore. It had been such a deliberate, calculated choice; Alexander couldn't help but wonder: Why that name? What did it mean to her?

He was so

so lost in his thoughts that he did not even notice how Anie entered his office. She huddled up to him, her hand gliding up and down his chest to draw him out of his reverie. Wearing her nightie that was quite revealing, she used all her charms, yet Alexander's gaze was stuck to the documents before him, and his mind was somewhere very far away.

Babe," she purred, her voice husky and sultry. "I miss you."

He said, without looking up, shortly, his attention uncompromisingly steadfast. "T'll join you soon. Go."

The dismissal was a sting to her face and allowed absolutely no argument, and Annie felt a fear gnawing at her. She went into their bedroom reluctantly, mutteririg to herself. The worry the insecurity-that had always dogged her weighed heavier now than ever before. She had played the role with aplomb, making herself Alexander's everything-for five very long years. His family had constantly found one way or another to make her efforts more difficult. Now, he seemed to slip right through her fingers

Lying upon this cold, empty bed, the fear grasped her more firmly. The life she had built up-money, power, status-all depended upon Alexander. The loss of him was to be the loss of all, and she could not bear the idea of returning into that obscurity she'd fought so hard to leave behind.

A concrete resolution set in her. Five years were over, she thought. It was a good time to give the motion of design another

Whatever it took, one way or another, she would find a way to make her place permanent in Alexander's life.

AMA

and pay Emma had been two weeks back in her native land but hadn't gathered enough courage to go to her father's grave homage to him. Of course, it wasn't for a lack of missing him or for a want of things to say, but life, her kids, and the burden of the last two weeks had gotten in the way. Today, she was going to finally introduce her father to the most precious part of) her life: her children.

They drove, and Emily stared out the window at the busy city. "Mommy, where are we going?"

Emma forced a smile. "We're going to visit someone very important to me. Someone I love very much."

"Daddy?" Emily asked innocently, her big eyes searching Emma's face.

Emma's heart clenched, and she tightened her grip on the steering wheel. This was the fifth time in two weeks that Emily had mentioned her father, each time reopening a wound. "No, sweetheart. Not your daddy-my daddy."

She hoped that would finish the questions, but Ethan, who'd been quietly listening, looked up with curiosity at her words. "Mommy, you have a daddy?

Emma sighed softly and nodded her head. "Yes, it's a long story

Ethan, never one to let well enough alone, asked again, "Then where is our daddy?"

Emma swallowed hard, doing the best she could to find words, I can't tell you anything about him."

"Why?" Ethan's voice revealed innocent confusion.

"Is Uncle Brandon our daddy?" Emily asked hopefully.

No," Emma said firmly, shutting the discussion down with a ton that didn't invite further argument. The car fell silent, but she could almost feel them thinking But why? hanging in the air

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Chapter 42

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Reaching the cemetery-Emma took her twins to the grave of her father. She introduced her twins to him, and through her tears streaming down her face, she told her father everything that happened. Her love for him never lessened, even as she could find out he wasn't her biological father; he had been the best dad anyone could wish for. She poured out her appreciation and memories at the grave.

On the way home, Ethan broke the silence. "Mom, I know his name."

Whose name?"

Ethan's face lit up. "Mr. Handsome! You remember, right? That guy we saw at the airport. His first name is Alex. I think it's the coolest name in the world! Can I be named Alex, too?" Emma's hands clutched the wheel tightly. "No, Ethan. And we talked about how we don't talk to strangers.

But he is a stranger no more. He has a name. His name is Alex."

"Ethan, stop!" Her voice rose swiftly, surprising even her. "Stop!

Ethan's face crumpled, and he burst into tears, his small shoulders shaking with hurt and fear. The sight of him crying tore at Emma's heart, and she instantly regretted her outburst. Reaching back, she took his hand, her own voice full of emotion. Tm so sorry, Ethan. I just. I just want to keep you safe. I'm sorry

The car came from nowhere and rammed Emma's from behind running her out of her lane over to the other side of the road. She held onto the steering wheel with all her might as she and her children screamed, terror filling the car as she struggled to get back in control. Fortunately, other cars around her were able to stop in time, limiting the extent of the accident, but this was not enough to prevent injury. Ethan was thrown onto his seat, his little arm twisted in an unnatural position.

"Ethan! Ethan Emma's voice finally broke in panic, her eyes wide with fear as she tried to reach her son. In a few seconds. the street went mad and a jam started gathering

As was the custom, Alexander sat in the backup, tapping his watch impatiently as he looked out from his car. "What's going on?" he muttered to Kevin as he came back inside. "Looks like an accident up ahead, but it should be cleared soon. The man who had hit Emma's car rushed over, his whole body shaking with shock. "I'm so sorry-I lost control. Please, let me help. I can drive you to the hospital

Emma was beyond blaming anyone, too preoccupied with thoughts of her children; she simply nodded. She and her twins got into his car and he drove like a maniac to the nearest hospital which happened to be Blackthorn Hospital. They reached the hospital and Ethan was rushed into the emergency unit. Emma walked up and down the hall as helpless and worried as tears streamed down her face.

He approached her again, his face contorted with guilt and fear, I'm so sorry.I didn't mean for any of this to happen," he said, but Emma just tuned him out, focusing solely on Ethan. She just wanted to know her son was going to be okay. Emily clung to her hand tightly. "Mom, he's going to be okay. Ethan is strong, stronger than me.

"You're both strong," Emma said, trying to give her daughter a reassuring smile. "You're the strongest kids Eve ever known."

Finally, a doctor came out of the emergency unit with a much-eded breath of relief. "Maam, you don't have to worry, Your son is doing well. His an is broken, but we've set it and put it in a cast."

Emma let out her breath and relaxed a little. Thanks a lot. She went to the cashier desk, where she would have to pay for the treatment, but was surprised when the attendant said to her Ma'am, the gentleman has already paid the bill. Emma caught up with the man. She smiled in gratitude yet warily. "I was told that you paid the bill," she said.

He looked at her with gravity in his eyes. "It was the least I could do."

"Your time means more than the money, Emma replied, still shaken. "But thank you."

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Chapter 42

"I also want to cover the damages.. The car damages.

"Oh, no need to." Emma said with an awkward smile.

"Well I want to, Mrs. Black"

Her eyes enlarged in astonishment, her heart missing a beat. "Mr. Black?