Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 84

Chapter 84

Alexander sat at his desk, the article staring back at him from the screen of his tablet. His jaw clenched, and his fists ineluctably curled into balls as he reread the headline: "Alexander Blackthorn and Annie Expecting Their First Child!" The words swirled in his mind, taunting him. He had not expected Annie's announcement, let alone the speed at which it would spread like wildfire. Within hours, it was an unstoppable ringing of telephones, from relatives, colleagues, and even the press inquiring and congratulating But deep down, this happiness he should feel was far beyond his reach, just a murmur of an echo. It was like the congratulatory words all flowed in and just dug a well in his stomach. Shouldn't he be happy? A baby was supposed to be a blessing, and yet all Alexander could feel was his chest tight with unbearable constriction.

The drive home was a blur; his mind was racing, flitting between confusion and frustration. By the time he got home, he was hanging on by a thread. He burst through the front door; the sound of his footsteps ominously echoed through the house. Annie lay on the couch, her smile wide and bright, lapping up the attention the news had brought her.

What gave you the right to tell the world about the pregnancy without coming to me first?" Alexander asked without preamble. "Were you even planning on coming to me, or was this just your decision to make?"

Annie's face froze. Her eyes welling up with tears, she leapt up as if clutching her tummy would protect the baby from the blow of his words. "How can you say that, Alex? How could you even think I would keep my baby from the world? Don't you understand? This is joyous news!" Her voice finally cracked with emotion as the dam finally broke, sending streams cascading down her cheeks. "I thought you'd be happy. I thought we'd be happy. Don't tell me." Her voice dropped to a whisper, shaking with accusation

"Don't tell me you're having second thoughts about our baby."

Alexander stood rigid, her words lashing against him like a tempest. He said nothing. Instead, he spun on his heel and made for the bedroom in long strides without so much as a backward ance. Behind him, Annie's sobs began to ring out, but he slammed the door shut, blotting out her cries.

Once inside, the room's walls tended to move in on him. What used to be known as his home was both claustrophobic and suffocating. As of late, everything in life seemed out of control, and decisions weighed larger and stronger on his shoulder bones.

He fell on to the bed, clasping his face between his palms. Alexander hadn't been sleeping for days now, ever since that night. Whenever he shut his eyes, Emma's face loomed before him-her shining smile, her gait full of confidence as she strutted up to the podium as the enigmatic CEO of W2 Holding. The image tormented him with what he had let slip away.

It was a memory that came unsolicited: the moment their eyes met across the room that night, the slight trembling of her lips before she turned away. She had seemed untouchable, invincible, yet her presence stirred something raw and unyielding inside him. He couldn't escape it. He couldn't escape her.

Trate, Alexander hauled himself off the bed and into his home office. The silent darkness of the space brought little comfort, but it was better than suffocating in his own room. He yanked open the liquor cabinet, pulling out a half-fall bottle of whiskey. Not bothering with a glass, he took a long, burning swig

Whiskey hadn't really dulled the ache in his chest, and he continued drinking as if to try and drown emotions clawing at him. He leaned back in his chair, looking blankly up to the ceiling. His mind roamed back to Emma, how she had looked at him with trust and warmth, how he had allowed that to slip away from him.

Why can't I just forget?" he muttered hoarsely to himself. His hard tightened on the bottle as his emotions wrestled with each other-guilt, regret, longing. He had everything he was supposed to want: Annie, a baby, a life free from the shackles of his past. Yet none of it brought him peace.

Time dragged along, and the bottle bit by bit, lay empty. The house was quiet except for the intermittent sound of Annie.... getting restless Alexander didn't really care. He was beyond car too entrenched into his mad maze of thoughts.

By dawn, the soft morning light bathed the office, Alexander slumped in his chair, having forgotten the bottle on the desk,

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21.19 Tue, Dec 17 Chapter 84

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His head ached from the action of the alcohol, but so different was the ache in his chest. He looked down at his phone- dozens of messages lighting up the screen from well-wishers. There was only one that would have mattered, but he knew she wouldn't even try. AMM

for

The following morning, it just seemed like the world had gone stark raving mad. News of Emily's weak health condition. coupled with the disaster at Ethan's daycare had spread in no time. Social networking sites became flooded with prayers Emily and Ethan as people who never knew them poured their hearts into the messages. Angry and hate messages began to pour in for Adam Hershel, a man whose carelessness brought on the collapse of the daycare center.

Crowds had gathered outside of the prison in which Adam was held, carrying signs that read "Justice for Ethan" and "Children Deserve Better! Their voices rose in chants, demanding accountability; their fervor was testimony to the heartbreak and fury the incident had ignited. Meanwhile, Emma's life was no longer recognizable as it had once been. The small apartment that she loved so much was. stormed by paparazzi and overnight fant who lined the street, cameras flashing at whatever moved. Some waved banners with "get well soon, Emily" slogans, while others just wished to get a glimpse of the family that was out of the blue thrown into the limelight

She

peered through the curtains, and her stomach twisted in unease at the sight outside-overwhelming-a sea of people. She knew they meant no harm, but it was painfully obvious that this would no longer be her life as she liked it: normal and quiet. With a heavy heart, she reached for her phone and dialed her personal assistant. When the call connected, Emma's voice shook with exhaustion. I need you to find a more secure apartment for us. Somewhere private, somewhere no one can reach. We can't stay here anymore."