Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 55

Chapter

55

That night, sleep cluded Emma as the words of Jalen replayed in her mind like an echo, reminding her of his pitiable request. She sincerely wanted to be able to help him, but doing to would only mean putting at risk the stability and safety she had fought to give her children. Her family would have to cine first, and heavy-hearted, she made the decision to push the request by Jaden to the back of her mind.

The following morning dawned peacefully. The sun shone brightly, and the beaming smiles of her twins warmed her up inside. Having seen Ethan off at daycare, Eimma took Emily to be appointment at Blackthorn Hospital. When she was sure that Emily was in the care of her medical teams, Emma made her way to Brianna's room. She found Brianna sitting by the window looking very fragile, serming lost in thought. As Emmeared her, she felt worried.

"Mother, are you alright?" she asked softly, taking Briana's frail hand in her own.

Brianna's eyes softened, but there was a hint of sadness in them. Where is Alexander? I have not seen you both together lately."

Emma's heart sank, knowing that Brianna was in precarious health and that the knowledge that she was separated from Alexander might be more than she could handle. She had never discussed the present status of her marriage with her to added concern. save Brianna from an

"Alexander has been busy with work," she said quietly. "But he will see you soon. I promise.

Brianna sighed loudly, her fragile fingers lying in Emma's. "Emu, I want grandchildren. I don't know how much time I have left

Emma felt her throat tighten, but she made a reassuring smile. Mother, don't say that. You're here, and I'm here with you. We have time."

Brianna's gaze

went dreamy as she stared out the window. "I need to talk to you and your husband. I want grandkids." These words by Brianna weighed upon Emma. She silently wished she could be open with Brianna for once and tell her about her four-year-old grandchildren, but she knew she could. That was the last thing she would ever do. She couldn't risk exposing herself and letting Alexander forcefully take her kids away from her.

She looked for an answer to this when, out of the blue, the door opened. She raised her head to find Alexander standing there, dressed flawlessly and as magnetic as ever. The tide of memories filled her brain, memories of the last time she had been in close proximity to him, how his presence had left her breathless. She steeled herself, trying to rein in the emotions. flaring to life in her belly.

"Alexander, Brianna bubbled with delight, a part of her old self seeming to swim to the surface and light up her entire face. "Come, sit with your wife," she invited him, nodding to the small couch on which Emma was seated.

Emma's heart rate quickened as Alexander crossed the room, his eyes inscrutable as he approaches. He sat down beside her,

the musky scent of his cologne waft toward her.. several inches separating them, but it felt suffocating. She could intoxicatingly familiar, stirring emotions she had tried to bury

Brianna watched them, her eyes sparkling with quiet satisfaction. "It's good to see you two together, she murmured contentedly.

She could feel Alexander's presence beside her, every inch of her skin acutely aware of him. She sat in silence, afraid that motions bubbling inside her. Brianna's happiness weighed on her. even a glance in his direction might betray the swirl of filling her with a strange mixture of guilt and longing, as if just for that moment she too could pretend nothing had changed.

But just entered with her face clouded by fear, her voice low but urgent. "Sir, your attention is needed outside, and you too, ma'am," she said, looking from Alexander to Emma.

attenten, the door opened, and a nurse

Emma's brow furrowed in confusion, and her heart turned uneasy suddenly. Why would both of them be called out at once?

Chapter 55

She couldn't fathom anything well worth the urgency yet rose wardlessly to her feet, following Alexander from the room. She kept a slight distance between them, her mind racing with easy thoughts.

Coming out of the hospital, they were greeted by a storm of chees and laughter, the outpouring of a celebration. The popping of a champagne bottle echoed in the air, and before she could make sense of it all, there was a surge of people towards pouring glasses. Emma blinked, utterly bewildered, her yes jumping from one unknown face to another, trying to make out what was going on. And then she saw it: a big banner unfolding before her eyes, letters in an overly dramatic script; Happy Birthday, Love,

A sharp sting pinched her chest as she spotted the figure holding the banner, someone she knew all too well. Annie was standing at the center of the crowd, grinning with that same, all-too-familiar smugness. She was the picture of a conqueror, her eyes gleaming as she strode toward them with a money bouquet, a lavish display wrapped in a halo of arrogance. The scene was surreal, cruelly ironic, each second twisting the knife deeper as Emina stood frozen in place.

It was then that Emma remembered today was Alexander's birthday. She'd forgotten, a fact that filled her with a dull ache as her mind whisked her back in time to their first year together. She remembered the excitement with which she had planned his birthday, the surprise dinner she had arranged, the flowers, and the handmade card. She had waited all evening, only for him to turn up late, exhausted and indifferent, and to brush her off with a belittling "It's just another day." She had told herself then that he didn't care about birthdays. But now, as she watched him here, it was starkly obvious: it wasn't that he didn't care. It was that her efforts had never mattered in the first place.

Annie sashaved up to Alexander, her face reddening like a schoolgirl's, and handed him the gigantic money bouquet. Emma's stomach twisted as Alexander's reacted. He was too thrilled, too comfortable. Annie snaked her arms around his neck; her face lit with that kind of devotion that Emma had once yearned for but never gotten.

"I simply can't fathom living without you, Alexander, Annie coord, her voice dripping as sweet as syrup as she turned and gave a triumphant glance over Alexander's shoulder at Emma. Happy birthday to the best man in the world." And in the blink of an eye, before Emma could even have time to bat an eyelash, Annie pulled him into a kiss, her lips pressing insistently against his while her eyes, cold and taunting, femained steadfastly locked with Emma's.

Emma just stood there, every emotion warring inside of her, the pain, the bitterness, helpless fury. She'd convinced herself time and again that she was over Alexander, that he no longer had any power over her. And yet, here she was, watching him kiss another woman, her heart buckling under the weight of his betrayal. It felt like a cruel joke, a wound that was never allowed to heal. And the ultimate fright of it all, Alexander's arm went around Annie, drawing her closer and deeper into thekiss.

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Every fiber in her body screamed to turn and leave, to get away from this humiliation. But Annie's voice cut through the crowd, halting Emma in her tracks. "Emma, wait!" she called out hurrying up to her with an expression so contrived it almost looked comical. "I haven't had the time to talk to you sing our last encounter," she said, feigning innocence. "I'm so sorry for how I spoke to you. I hope you'll forgive me."

Emma's patience snapped, her voice low but laced with venom. Drop the act; it only makes you uglier

Annie's expression faltered, her eyes hardening as her sugary smile twisted into something darker. She leaned in, placing her voice at a whisper. "I warned you to leave the country."

Emma didn't flinch, her chin lifting defiantly. "And what will you do if I don't?

But just as the words had barely left her lips, her phone buzzed her pocket. She glanced down, her blood turning cold as she read off the name on the screen. It was one of Ethan's bodyguards. Emma's heart missed a beat; a chill ran up her spine. She hadn't picked the call, yet dread filled her. She felt the stare of Annie upon her, a smirk tugging at the edges of her mouth, and suddenly Emma felt a sense of foreboding wash over her.

Her hands shook as she reached for the call, her hearing barely possible over the roar in her ears. She could tell, even without the voice at the other end speaking, that something was horribly off. Her son! Her precious Ethan! Panic surged through her as she hastened away from the crowd, her heart thudding as she listened to the voice on the other end.

21:14 Tue, Dec 17

Chapter 56