Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 24

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As she stood outside, waiting for her Uber, a sinister thought began to form in her mind. If Brianna didn't want to die peacefully, perhaps Annie could assist in making it easier-just she had for her own father. Alexander might have slipped. out of her hands for now, but she would have him back. And by that time, Brianna wouldn't be a problem anymore.

Suddenly her phone rang, freezing her in place. She looked around cautiously, her heart racing with dread.

"Where is my money?" came a cold, ragged voice from the other end.

"I'm working on it." she snapped back, frustration boiling over. Just give me some more time!"

"I've given you more time than you deserve, Annie. Whatever happens to you now, know that you're the one to blame." "Please, just one more ch...

Before she could finish, a searing pain shot through her shoulder causing her to cry out. Blood began to gush from the wound as she instinctively bit her bottom lip, scanning the area for the unseen attacher. The surrounding was quiet and there was no one in the vicinity "That's my warning to you. Next time, it will go straight to your head," the voice said ominously before hanging up.

bullet that had grazed her shoulder from the ground, her mind racing with anger and fear. As Annie approached the waiting Uber a new sense of resolve coursed through her veins. She was not going to let anyone take

gown and wrapping it around her injured shoulder.

his face but Annie ignored him. Going to the hospital was not an option. The Doctors will know exactly where she got that injury from and she wasn't ready to start asking questions she didn't want to answer or getting Alexander an hint

her wedding gown on her injured shoulder and and looked straight forward. Once she got home, she rushed inside as fast as she could, avoiding any of the workers as best as she could until she was inside their restroom. Where she immediately applied first aid in her injury and flushed the bullet down the toilet. She pulled out a wrapped paper filled with drugs. She needed it most at a time like this in order to use it to numb down the pain in her arm and the anger that was about to consume her whole. She knew Alexander wouldn't be coming home soon since his mother was in the hospital dealing with her

recognize, her twins arrived in the world a beautiful, strong baby boy and a delicate, frail baby girl who was swiftly placed in an incubator for extra care. She named them Ethan and Emily, vowing with every fiber of her being to protect and cherish them. As she held Ethan close, hot tears filled her eyes. She couldn't help but imagine how different things might have been if Alexander hadn't left her. The Black family would have celebrate the arrival of the twins with grandeur, news spreading like wildfire. People from far and wide would have come to welcome her children. But as she looked at Mrs. Walker beside hef, offering the warmth of family and love, she realized this might be even better. She didn't need a grand family gathering -she just needed people who genuinely loved her

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Chapter 24

full of pride. "You

through her exhaustion. "I'm so lucky to have you in my life. Thank you for

and forth. He'd been a steady presence throughout her pregnancy, offering support without asking for anything in return. Watching him now, she felt a wave of gratitude. Her heart was full. She might not

called him into his office. With a somber expression, the doctor spoke, I'm sorry to inform you, Mr. Black, but your mother has been diagnosed with dementia. This condition affects her memory and cognitive

could finish, Alexander shot to his feet, his face

head sympathetically. Tm so sorry, Mr.

this hospital if you can't even help my mother? Figure something out, or prepare to lose your job. And