Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 9

Mrs. Hayes' face turned into a frown, concern etched on her brow. "But you've earned this, Veronica. Why would you...."

Emma forced a small smile, though her heart felt heavy. "I'm just a new employee, and going to such an event will just piss off so many of my coworkers who have been here for years. It's better if one of them represents us at such an honorable event." Mrs. Hayes stared at her, incredulous, her face unreadable. She had gone out of her way to submit Emma's name, fully believing she deserved this opportunity. And now Emma was rejecting it.

"Veronica, this isn't just an invitation. It's recognition for all your hard work," Mrs. Hayes pressed softer, her voice gentling in an attempt at understanding. "You deserve to be there."

But Emma couldn't. She could barely breathe just thinking about it.

With trembling hands, Emma raised the letter and handed it back. "I am indeed very sorry for refusing such an honorable offer," she whispered. And without waiting for an answer, Emma turned to leave the office; the beating of her heart was almost wild.

She let out a shaky breath the second she stepped into the hallway, placing a hand to her chest as if to quiet the storm raging. inside her. To be in the same room as Alexander and to see him again was too much to bear. She could already envision it, his piercing gaze finding her across the room, the cold detachment in his eyes. He would regard her as if she were nothing, as if the life they had shared had been a momentary lapse.

The months apart had done nothing to mend the damage he left behind. If anything, the wounds had deepened, festering in the silence of long, lonely nights. Emma hadn't healed. She'd learned to survive with the pain, to bury it deep, to pretend the hurt wasn't important anymore.

But now, the thought of Alexander in the same city... of being in the same room, even for a brief moment, was too much. The memories, the heartbreak-it was all too raw, too fresh. How could she stand there, pretending everything was fine, when just the sight of him would tear her open all over again?

her eyes, she could envision his face, the sound of his voice, and just how dismissively he had sent her away that night. His betrayal still haunted her, and she knew with absolute certainty that with but a glimpse of him, all those emotions she struggled to bury would rush

her eyes shut tight in a bid to stem the tears. She had made her choice. She couldn't face him, event, nothing was worth the not now, not ever. And as much as Mrs. Hayes seemed to believe she deserved to attend that risk of seeing Alexander again-especially nowthat she was pregnant. Emma had vowed never to let him know. She has promised herself that she would do everything possible

racing as fear racked her thoughts of being found. She clutched her stomach protectively, whispering silent promises to her unborn children. Alexander could never know; she had been careful for so long, building her life far from him. The last thing she wanted now was for her carefully constructed

morning, she started her job as if nothing had happened the day before, putting on a mask of calm.She perhaps hoped Mrs. Hayes would let the matter drop and find someone else for the event. But as the hours passed, Emma's heart sank when Mrs. Hayes called her into the office again, her

Mrs. Hayes said, concern lacing in her eyes. "Why would you pass up such a great

up with an excuse. Slowly, she opened her mouth in search of a lie that would work:

Tue, Dec 17 ti

Chapter 9

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eyebrow, then laughed incredulously, throwing her head back. "Is that

of

Because of what?

her head, her eyes cast downward. "He's, well, he's known

have heard, the man's an absolute nightmare to deal with." Mrs. Hayes sat back in her chair, shaking her head. "But from what my superior

but only for a moment. Even though Alexander would not be there, his people would be. They could still recognize her if she was careless, which she couldn't