Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 50

Chapter 50

Jaden patiently waited in front of Emma's apartment, holding a bag full of groceries in one hand, his eyes lighting up the moment he saw her car pull into the driveway. As the doors opened. Emma's twins, Emily and Ethan, burst out of the car faces alight with unrestrained joy. They ran to him with infectious excitement upon seeing him. "Uncle Jaden!" they screamed, and the quiet of the evening was blown to smithereens

Jaden set the grocery bag down on the ground, kneeling just in time to catch the twins as they collided into his arms, embracing them with genuine warmth. He held thein close, laughing as they wrapped their little arms around his neck. filling him with a joy that felt strangely familiar yet new, like a home he never realized he missed.

Emma stood a few feet away, her eyes misting over as she watched. She hadn't realized the sight of her children so openly happy, unguarded, and loved would affect her this way. Moments like this had been so rare, slipping through her fingers I grains of sand. Life had been so unfair to her and her kids, all thanks to her fate. But today, seeing Jaden with them like th was something she hadn't noticed that they had missed for so many years. She brushed away a tear, composing herself as she approached the happy trio. Always the inquisitive one, Emily was quick to notice the grocery bag that Jaden had left lying by his feet. "Uncle Jaden, what's in the bag?" she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Jaden gave her a mischievous wink. "Oh, these are for the little surprise dinner that I have planned tonight. Fm cooking on of my favorite dishes-just for you," he said, looking at Emma with a warm, reassuring smile.

Emma's heart fluttered at the gentle kindness in his voice, the strange pull of his gaze, until she quickly looked away, surprised at the unexpected stir his presence created in her. So much of her life she had been independent that this sudder gentleness from Jaden was both a comfort and a disturbance.

As they all trooped inside, Ethan tugged at Jaden's sleeve, curiosity getting the better of him. "What are you cooking, Jaden? Tell mel

Uncle

Jaden burst out laughing, as if it was the funniest thing he had ever heard "Ah, but then it would not be a surprise, would it? You need to wait and see!"

Emily pouted, giving her best try at a sad face. "Please tell us, Ungle Jaden!" she whined, tugging playfully at his trousers. Before Jaden could say anything. Emma stepped forward, laying a soothing hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Let's let Unci Jaden keep his surprise, hmm? I'm sure it will be well worth the wait," she said with a grateful smile thrown at Jaden

Jaden grinned back, and for a nanosecond, their eyes met; something she couldn't explain seemed to pass between them, racing Emma's heart. She found herself wanting to burrow into the kindness and stability he seemed to exude, feelings she hadn't let herself feel in such a very, long time.

She was grateful for his help, and the distraction, excusing herself to slip into her room. Being the CEO of W2 Holdings required constant attention, and she'd long become accustomed to the late nights and constant demands it was there on-top of her email; the invitation to this year's Aurora Honors event.

The Aurora Honors was no ordinary gala; it was a prestigious gathering of the elite, a celebration attended by only the wealthiest, the most influential, the powerful few who shaped the world. It had been sending her invitations since she took over W2, but she had declined each one. Attending had been painful reminders of the rejection and alienation she had felt from Alexander, her former husband, and from his circle, She had donated to the Aurora Honors for years instead of attending, staying away from the likes of Alexander. Yet, as she stared at her screen, the invitation seemed to bring a gang of something different-a longing to retrieve a part of herself she had tucked away. She closed her laptop as the scents of spices and savory aroma wafted through the air, pulling her back to the present. She felt the corners of her lips curve uprds in anticipation of Jaden's mystery dish.

When she came back into the kitchen, Jaden was serving up the good with flair; the twins were practically bouncing as they took their chairs. The room was filled with laughter as together they ate, Jaden regaling the kids with ridiculous stories while 1/2

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Chapter 50

Emma sat back, feeling a glow fill her heart in a way it hadn't in years.

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Later that night, after the twins had been long asleep, Jaden stayed, his eyes deep with some unspoken intent. Then he turned to her, with a severity that quickened the beat of her heart.

"Carol," he started, using the name she'd told him to use. Soft and tentative, his voice was.

Emma swallowed, her tone even. "You can call me Emma. I'm done with the alias.." Alexander already knows everything.! there was no reason to keep using the name.

A small smile overspread Jaden's face as he repeated, "Emma," the name sounding so good on his lips. "I know we met in a weird manner, and you still don't know a lot about me. Honestly, I don't know all there is to know about you either. But I want to. I want to be there for you and the twins, closer to all of you.

He was silent for a moment, then heaved a deep breath. "There's something you need to know... I am not just any regular guy. My name is Jaden Fernando".

other

Emma's jaw dropped as her mind whirled. The Fernando family was one of the strongest names in the world, and he was one of them, standing in her living room. Sure, she'd guessed he came from money, but she hadn't thought he was one of those Fernandos. Emma was speechless.

Jaden gave her a soft smile. "I didn't want you to know right away It's been refreshing to be with someone who doesn't see me as Jaden Fernando' but just Jaden."

I reeling, Emma attempted to return a soft smile.

He took another step closer, his eyes looking straight into hers. d like to take you out, Emma. Somewhere special. No expectations, just, ime together.

Emma's heart pounded as it had been so long since a man looked at her this sincerely. The twins...

Jaden raised a reassuring hand. "I love those kids, Emma. This isn't only about you, it's about them too. Which is why." He reached into his pocket and pulled out an invitation, holding it out to her. Her breath caught on the familiar words etched on in gold: Aurora Honors. The tips of her fingers were trembling as she took the invitation her gaze rising to the unrelenting smile on Jaden's face.

Will you come with me, Emma?" he said, his voice low and inviting

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