Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 65

Chapter 65

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The air thickened between them, the space shrinking down to almost nothing. She steeled herself, waiting, wanting despite the pain of the past. But just as his lips were an inch from hers, the opening of the office door cut through the moment.

Emma's eyes snapped open, and a wave of panic set in. She twisted against him, trying to wrest herself free from his grasp. but Alexander did not move. His arms were unyielding, his body wall of unmovable strength. Kevin came into the room, oblivious to any kind of tension in the air-He went straight to Alexanders desk, holding a file in his hand and his eyes fixed on the floor. As he looked up, he was taken aback at the scene before him. The file slipped from his grasp, papers scattering across the floor "I. I'm so sorry." Kevin stammered, his voice shaky. He dropped to his knees as he fumbled to gather the papers, his eyes darting nervously between Alexander and Emma. Alexander didn't budge an inch, his expression was unreadable, but his grip behind Emma, on the wall, loosened by slightly Kevin scrambled to his feet, clutching the now messy stack of papers, and stammered an apology out before bolting out of the office. The door clicked shut behind him.

Emma took advantage of that, slipping from under Alexanders arms, her cheeks crimson red with embarrassment. She would not look at him; her breathing was uneven as she retreated from him.

Alexander straightened, his icy demeanor returning as he watched her with an intensity that just weakened her knees. "I won't be so soft next time you call me Mr. Black" he warned, the coldness laced in his voice but with something deeper. something unspoken. Emma said nothing, her mind reeling from the mix of emotions running rampant within her, fear, anger, confusion, and the hardy, unwanted desire. She turned to make her way to the door, eager to put as much distance between them as possible. But just as her hand reached for the knob his voice stopped her in her tracks.

"And as for the children. Alexander said, cool, yet firm. The Blackthorn Foundation will cover their treatment."

Emma froze, his voice echoing in her ears. She turned very slowly to face him, a disbelieving look of surprise stamped on her features. She hadn't counted on this, not after all that had taken place between them.

"Thank you" she whispered, her voice soft, barely hesitant. A small, real smile tugged at the sides of her lips- one that hadn't made an appearance in a while.

Alexander said nothing, his gaze lingered on her a second before he returned to his desk. Emma didn't wait for him to say more. She slipped out of the office, heart pounding, emotions a chaotic whirlwind

She quickened her pace as she rushed back toward Ethan's room, her hands shaking with frustration and deep feelings of self-loathing. Her heart was beating violently in her chest, not ju from anger but from that bitter realization of how easily she had almost succumbed to Alexander. After all she had promised herself, after all those nights swearing never to give him power over her again, one small move from him and she was ready to crumble.

The tears pricked in her eyes as she swung open the door to Ethan's room and took refuge in her son's presence. Sitting down beside her son's bed, the pale face and fragile form of her child broke her mind even more. Emma dropped into the chair beside him, wiping over the spilling tears.

"Never again," she had whispered, her voice shaking with the depth of her conviction. 'Never again will I let him make me feel this way: Never"

She tightened her hold on the small hand of Ethan huddled in liers as resolution began to set inside her. Alexander might once have had a claim over her body, but that time was long gone. She has to keep thinking of the twins now, and every decision she had made for them. Alexander's audacity, his smugness, the overpowering presence of him, it only made her blood boil. Yet, what angered her most was hersell. How could let him stir emotions she had buried so deeply?

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21.16 lue, Dec.

Chapter 63

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, a soft knock on the door interrupted the silence Emma ckly wiped away from ter eyes, composing herself, as the door creaked open. Jaden stepped inside with a bag of food in one hand and a themes in the other.

I thought you might need this" he said, with a warm smile, the sound of his voice was a welcome contra emotion churning inside her.

Emma forced a smile in return. Thanks, Jaden You really didn't have to."

the storm of

"I wanted to" he replied, simply, setting the bag down on the small table by the window Jaden unparked the food and handed her a plate, settling into the chair across from her.

They ate in a silence broken only by the soft rustling of paper napkins and the occasional clinking of extinguenais

As they were finishing up, Jaden broke the silence.

"You wont believe this Emma!" Jadens voice was laced with incredulity and excitement, his wide eyes locked on ber

Emma leaned her head slightly in his direction, though her mind far from the conversation at hand. She was still wrappe in the maelstrom of emotions that had swept through her since leaving Alexander office. But Jaden's voice pulled her back grounding her. He had been the rock she had stood upon, comewhat may, since the day they met and if listening to him now was a means to repay even an ounce of his kindness, then she would listen to him.

"Everyone's losing their minds right now!" exclaimed Jaden, almost jumping with excitement.

tone of voice a little spaced out her mind was torn between him and

"About what?" Emma asked, her ton her head.

"About the CEO of W2 Holdings! Can you believe it?" Jaden's tone was incredulous as he leaned closer "She's finally decaded to step out of the shadows and break her family's long-standing anonymity rule"

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