Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 10

Kevin tapped softly on Alexander's office door and stepped inside with a phone in his hand. "Sir..." he started, trying to break into Alexander's intense focus on the screen.

Alexander finally looked up, his expression unreadable and it coldness had become a permanent feature since Emma's disappearance. His eyes were cold and distant, as if nothing in this world could finally get inside the void left by her. "I've just been informed that Mrs. Elizabeth Walker is coming to the Wings of Hope event," Kevin said in a measured tone, awaiting some cold response.

At first, Alexander did nothing. Then, as his brain worked over the name, a flicker of interest danced in his normally lifeless eyes. His fingers stilled on the keyboard. There was a fraught silence in the room. Mrs. Elizabeth Walker? Even Alexander could hardly believe it. For decades, that elusive woman had lived hidden from social life, keeping her private life as far away as possible. Nobody ever saw her unless she wanted them to, and contacting her was virtually impossible; she had full control over her life's and how she live it. But if truly she would attend this event, Alexander could hardly let the chance slip away.

He had been trying for years to get close to Mrs. Walker. If she was stepping out of the shadows for this event, he needed to make use of the opportunity.

He made his mind up in an instant. "I'll be attending the event too."

Kevin let his breath go in a hiss. "Okay, sir. I'll start making the necessary arrangements."

As Kevin left the office, Alexander relaxed back into his chair, his mind no longer on his work but on why Mrs. Elizabeth Walker had suddenly decided to appear in public.

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Emma arrived at the grand hospital of Blackthorn Holdings which was considered the largest in the country in order to oversee the final touches on flower arrangements for the evening. Her company had been assigned the decorations, and though there was a storm of nerves building in her chest, she had prepared meticulously. She was looking absolutely stunning in her blue off-shoulder gown, the puffy design covering her large belly perfectly. The thigh-high slit on the gown gave her freedom of movement with which she could walk without much problem, but more importantly, it subtly camouflaged her pregnancy from all prying eyes. Her face was contoured, each feature deftly molded into a new shape that disguised her appearance. Even her hairstyle was not like her usual look. It was a calculated makeover to maintain anonymity.

As she walked through the hospital, it suddenly struck her how chillingly it reminded her of Alexander's headquarters. Slightly smaller, this hospital brought her mind back to the few rare times she had been to Alexander's office as his wife. Images of long, forgotten time fluttered before her, the time when their lives intermingled in a future they presumably shared.

Her heart contracted, and the tears began to well at the rediscovery of the old wounds. Hastily, she wiped them off, refusing to fall apart again. She had come here because she wanted to stop running and start facing her fears

expensive garb that sparkled at every flash of a camera. She had been to events of such nature many times before, accompanying her father and a couple of times with Alexander when their marriage still held some semblance

the evening without attracting attention.

her gaze locked on the door. There, strolling into the hall, was the

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Chapter 10

Alexander!

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striking as ever, commanding the attention of the room by his mere presence, eyes scanning the crowd. Mrs. Hayes had

heart quickened, and her panic rose along with it.. She leaned farther back into the shadows, her mind racing. How could this be?! She wasn't ready... for him! Not after working

other than Annie, who had this smug, victorious grin on her face, as if some sort of statement towards the world that she had won. The image of Alexander holding Annie's hand was like a dagger twisting in Emma's

well-hatched plan to go undercover, to remain at the background, felt

the return of all her insecurities. It seemed that every painful memory of having been junked, thrown away, and betrayed was rewinding in her mind. She had lost Alexander to Annie without much of a fight, and now it was excruciatingly evident how very much Annie had reclaimed her place. Emma's chest strained while she battled for command over her breathing,

could live in the shadows, under the guise of Veronica Moore, forever if need be, It was safer that way, for her, for her babies. But seeing Alexander with Annie was a

cutting through the spiral of her thoughts. Emma blinked hard and fast, her vision blurred from

to steady herself, taking sharp,