Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter

22

Emma's day at the office had been remarkably calm. With most of her coworkers embracing her presence and treating her warmly. To them she was simply Diana's cousin. A story Mrs Walker had carefully nurtured to protect her. Marina remained skeptical. Often watching Emma with a sharp eye. But the rest of the team seemed to accept her without question. Which helped Emma settle into her work and feel a small semblance of normalcy.

At about eight months pregnant her stomach had grown large and round, unmistakable even in her loose fitting blouses. She sometimes caught curious glances from colleagues. But Mrs Walker's influence and care had smoothed over any awkward questions. Mrs Walker had become more than just her employer. She was a godmother to Emma's unborn children. Accompanying her to every doctor's appointment and ensuring she followed every instruction. Every vitamin supplement.

It was a kind support Emma hadn't expected. A gentleness that felt foreign after the heartbreak and isolation of the past months. Since her ex husband had abruptly and coldly divorced her she'd been forced to rely solely on herself. Struggling alone in a world that had once been filled with dreams of family and hope of love.

But now with Mrs Walker at her side, something she had thought she could never have again began to stir again. Hope.

As she looked around the office her hand unconsciously resting on her growing belly, Emma felt a warmth bloom in her chest. For the first time in what felt like an eternity. She wasn't walking alone in the dark, there seems to be light up ahead. A path toward something new. Something better. And it filled her with a kind of gratitude she hadn't known was possible.

That afternoon she received a text message from an unknown number. 'Could you give me an hour of your time thi evening. Brandon Kings. I got your number from Elizabeth.

At first Emma wanted to turn down the invitation. But he had said he gotten her number from Mrs Walker. And since he was one of Mrs Walker's people and Mrs Walker trusted him enough to give him her number. It wouldn't be nice to turn down such an invitation. She replied back, 'Fine. But I wouldn't stay longer than an hour.

'Cool by me. 6 pm. ""Good"

talk to her. She watched with held breath as Brandon drove

gleaming with excitement. The rich red fabric of the wedding gown clung to her figure, swirling around her feet

on a velvet couch. His eyes weary yet focused on her. She glided toward him. Her heart fluttering with anticipation. This was the

gaze. His eyes clouded with exhaustion. He'd been sitting in the boutique for hours. Watching her try on gown after gown. Each one more extravagant than the last His patience was stretched thin.

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eyes reluctantly taking in the sight of her in the scarlet gown. He nodded. A curt smile crossing his face. "Superb. This one

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Tue, Dec

Chapter 22

lacked warmth and Annie could sense it. She pouted. Hoping he'd show more enthusiasm. "Are you sure? Tstill have

with a pure smile that had once held. his heart. She had planned everything on her own. Sparing him from the endless parade of choices and saving him from this exhausting ordeal. Emma had been so different. So thoughtful. Or so

once shared. His chest tightened with the weight of resentment and his eyes

himself to focus on the woman before him. "The red gown suits you perfectly," he said, his voice

But she quickly masked her disappointment. Sensing the shift in his mood, she wanted to press him. To convince him to stay longer. To try on the other gowns and bask in his admiration. But the look in his eyes warned her to back down. Sighing she turned and headed back to

beneath the faint glow of the moon. A figure sat up on a bed.

dialed a number. Bringing the device to their ear. The line clicked after a few rings. A