Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 53

F

Chapter

53

Emma stared at Jaden in utter shock: the revelation made her speechless for a moment.

"What... what do you mean?" she stuttered, trying to hide the growing panic inside.

Jaden held her gaze with his calm eyes full of sympathy. "I know you're Alexander's ex-wife," he said carefully. There was something very nearly reluctant in his manner; he looked as though he did not want her to know that he knew.

Emma's face went cold. Her mind continued to shoot her questions of how much Jaden actually knew and why he had kept it until now.

"Since when have you known?" she pressed on, her voice cold.

"Since the second accident," Jaden admitted, his face full of regret I didn't plan on bringing it up because, quite honestly, I didn't think it was my place. And though I don't know what went wrong in your marriage with him, I do know one thing, Emma-you deserve so much more than he ever gave you credit for."

Emma's jaw clenched. The pain she had worked so hard to bury began to claw its way back uphill. "Have you gotten close to me because of my past?" she asked in a low voice, almost fearing his response

Jaden shook his head, his eyes wide with sincerity. "No. I got close to you because of you, Emma. Your personality, your strength you're one in a billion

A pang sliced through her chest, but she made herself disregard "Let's talk later. I need to check on my kids," she said. shortly, trying to make a quick escape before he could notice her resolve crumbliness. "How can I help?" Jaden asked, genuine worry lacing his voice.

Emma whirled around and her voice was icy, colder than she meant to be. "By staying away from me she cut him off louder than she meant. "Stay away from me and my kids."

She rushed out of the coffee shop without looking back at him. That small spark of warmth she had begun to feel for him, the hint of trust she had dared imagine, was smothered in that very second. She promised herself that this time she would not let him get closer. People who knew her past were enough in her head; she did not need yet another person to be entangled into her life because of that..

The faster she could get away, the faster her mind would stop racing from painful memories to resolute decisions. As much as her heart ached, Emma vowed with all of her might that no matter how kind or supportive anyone was, if they knew about her and Alexander, then they were too close for comfort.

She had gone to such an extent to keep the kids safe from that world, and she could not afford to have anyone else drag her

back into it.

With every step. Emma made a resolution. She had had enough pain, secrets, and betrayal to last her a lifetime. Her only priority now was to protect herself and her children from any more heartbreak.

The moment Emma was a good enough distance away from the coffee shop, she fished our her cell phone with shaking hands and dialed one of the secret bodyguards placed for Ethan protection. Her yoite was steely, carrying a tone that left no room for questions. "I want you to check on Ethan this very roment and get back to me immediately, she instructed, trying not to let her own fears bleed into her tone.

"Yes, ma'am, he replied, and she could hear his footsteps as he moved quickly, each second stretching her nerves tighter.

To less than a minute, the guard was back. "Ethan is fine, ma'am, and the perimeter is secure."

Emma let out a sigh of relief, and a weight was lifted off her shoulders. She had been holding her breath without even realizing it. But her resolution hardened; she knew she couldn't let her guard down just then, especially with Annie's threat 21:14 Tue, Dec 17

Chapter 3

hanging over her like a dark cloud.

She didn't waste another second, immediately tied off to the hospital, and literally ran to the elevator, willing it to move faster. She barely waited for the elevator doors to open before rushing toward the room where Emily was staying in the VIP section of the hospital. Her heart pounding, she peeked into the room, then relief started flooding her veins as she saw Emily sleeping serenely, her little frame muggled beneath the blanket.

Emma leaned against the doorframe for a moment, taking deep breaths to steady herself. Her gaze softened as she watched Emily's chest go up and down with each breath.

The moment she had was certain that Emily was safe, she ran to Brianna's room, her mind racing with the actions she had to take. Annie's threat was not at all just threat. Emma knew better than to underestimate her, some time ago, Annie had almost managed to kill her and her unborn twins. She had barely survived that ordeal, and it was one memory she would not allow to happen again.

Emma was renewed, with a vow to double her security. If she had to hire more guards, install more surveillance, take any measure necessary, she would. Her children were her life, and she'd fight to the death to keep them that way. No threat from Annie, no bitter memories of Alexander, would weaken her revolve in that.

She wouldn't let the past creep back into her life. Not now, not ever!

Later that night, in Alexander's estate, Annie sat in the dimly lit room all by herself, her patience growing thinner with every minute that passed as she waited for Alexander Hours ticked by, and finally, a stumbling Alexander came into the house, she hardly recognized him. Alexander had always been a controlled an, composed and cool but this time, he looked disheveled and utterly intoxicated. He staggered into the room using the walls for support while his gaze was bleary and out of focus

As he entered the bedroom, his eyes caught a figure seated on the bed: the outline of her was framed by soft light. She was draped in a crimson nightgown, the most revealing garment there ever was which fitted tightly upon her curves, a sight that would lure any man. He saw, through blurred vision, for a second, a very familiar shape

"Emma," he whispered, taking a step closer, his voice heavy with an almost wistful longing. The short encounter that morning had left a dent in his mind, stirring emotions he had kept buried, and now this inebriated mind of his was playing tricks.

"Emma," he tried again, more strongly, as if clinging to the thought for sanity,

Annie seized her opportunity and rose from the bed with effortless grace, letting her hair flow down and cascade over her shoulders in the manner she knew he used to find so captivating. Her lips curled into a sensual smile as she snaked her hands up to his face, gently cradling his jaw and forcing him to meet her gaze.

Tve missed you, Alexander," she whispered in low inviting tones as her fingers trailed down his neck. "Make love to me like you used to."