Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter

15

"Have you found her yet?" A sharp, commanding voice came over the phone. Each word was laced with a notch of impatience. "You need to keep looking. Don't stop until you find her. Call me the minute you get any leads"

15

She walked and walked, her legs aching, her thoughts racing with every painful step, a reminder of just how grim her situation had become. Clutching her purse tightly with anger,

Her brain was heavy with thoughts and weighed down relentlessly. She couldn't touch her accounts, as Alexander was surely monitoring every transaction, and she couldn't give him the chance of finding out where she was. The cash in her purse was limited and would not see her through more than a couple of days, with the strictest frugality being observed.

That night, she had been lucky enough to find a place behind a Elling station where she could retreat. Her body was exhausted, but her mind refused to quiet. She made her way to the corner, curling up as best she could in the limited space, trying to sink into the darkness so that no one would see her. She slept very little, clutching onto the few possessions she had closely, expecting at any moment to be found out. Well before morning rush hour, she ran, disappearing among the early morning street traffic.

She replayed each decision, every step that took her here in her mind. If only she'd known the nightmare she was walking into when she'd agreed to attend that event, her heart clenched at the memory. But regrets couldn't change things now. She had to survive, she had to protect herself.

Her children needed her, and that one thought alone kept her grounded, able to be strong enough to continue.

Her body, by noon, was in full-throated protest, she hadn't eaten since the day before, and her stomach growled with hunger and dehydration. She walked into a regular restaurant, finding a cat near the back and away from any windows. She ordered the most basic, cheapest meal available and made a conscious effort to eat slowly, savoring each bite while her mind swirled over plans and possibilities.

ne cash that was in her accounts only haunted her mind as some kind of cruel irony. She had saved and prepared a security under her fake name, Veronica Moore. Now, though, those resources seemed to taunt her, unreachable and useless in this moment of her need. As she stared at her nearly empty purse, Emma knew she was on her own. Whatever she has to do to, it is the matter how she would find a way to make it through. That night, Emma entered another gas station. Exhaustion weighed heavily upon her, and she hoped to be able to find a quiet corner where she could just rest, in the same manner she had the prior evening. But the creeping sensation of unease gnawed at her.

She found a small nook hidden behind the station and crouched down, drawing her coat closer around her, hoping she was hidden deep enough in the shadows. Her eyelids just started to lower when footsteps sounded, jerking her again into a full state of alertness. Heart racing, she leaned forward to peer into the dark, hoping it was only a passerby.

The men stumbled forward, their laughter carrying out into the quiet night. Emma's heart hammered as she jumped to her feet, clutching her bag tightly. She silently prayed they'd stumble by, but fate, as always, wasn't on her side. The four of them stopped in front of her.

One of them came forward, his flashlight blinding her as he leered. "Well, well, who do we have here?" He sneered, his gaze sweeping over her with unsettling intent.

Emma instinctively retreated backward, her throat dry with fear Fm. She stammered, trying to keep her voice steady. "You... you. Another man mocked, swaying as he stumbled closer. "You what? You look like someone hiding."

louder. Emma's mind was racing and clenched her fists in order to

searched all over for your baby. Why do you

Dec 17 ti

Chapter 14

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no right to rim off with my child he shouted,

finally registered. She was carrying a child, a child which wasn't his. She had betrayed him", not only by

his phone. "Sir, they've spotted someone an hour from

hardened into a grim finality "I don't care anymore," he said, his voice chillingly flat. "Let her be, I've got all the answers I need. And with that, he turned and strode out of the flower

tight and trembling: desperation was in her voice. "Where were you

obligation, taunted by the thought that she might have harmed herself. She was still his ex-wife, and despite everything, he couldn't shake that concern. But the woman he had chosen, the one he had promised a future to, was right here, raw and vulnerable in front of him. Annie was his world, his plan, his security. She was his answer

back, he muttered, running his fingers through her hair, trying to soothe her. "That's all that

-

out and gently lifted her chin. Her tear-filled eyes met his as he leaned down, pressing his lips softly but lingeringly to hers. He'd held back with Annie for months, feeling like something was holding him back. Now, though, with Emma's

warm and insistent against his. He reacted, the kiss deepening as emotions stirred together. They moved into the bedroom, removing the last piece of clothing on them, without conscious thought. He held her close on the bed, allowing their connection to silenced the thoughts that had

in the quiet of the room, Alexander promised himself that from now on, he

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Dec 17

Chapter 15

her arms protectively over her stomach. "I don't know you, I'm just trying

threw back their heads in

don't think so, Veronica," he sneered. "You thought you could just disappear, didn't you? Leave

knew her fake name, knew enough about her. Her

her.