Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 42

All night. Alexander pored over the names, sifting through each with relentless focus. His mind strayed to Emma, to that first time she'd hidden herself behind the name Veronica Moore. It had been such a deliberate, calculated choice; Alexander couldn't help but wonder: Why that name? What did it mean to her?

He was so

so lost in his thoughts that he did not even notice how Anie entered his office. She huddled up to him, her hand gliding up and down his chest to draw him out of his reverie. Wearing her nightie that was quite revealing, she used all her charms, yet Alexander's gaze was stuck to the documents before him, and his mind was somewhere very far away.

Babe," she purred, her voice husky and sultry. "I miss you."

He said, without looking up, shortly, his attention uncompromisingly steadfast. "T'll join you soon. Go."

The dismissal was a sting to her face and allowed absolutely no argument, and Annie felt a fear gnawing at her. She went into their bedroom reluctantly, mutteririg to herself. The worry the insecurity-that had always dogged her weighed heavier now than ever before. She had played the role with aplomb, making herself Alexander's everything-for five very long years. His family had constantly found one way or another to make her efforts more difficult. Now, he seemed to slip right through her fingers

Lying upon this cold, empty bed, the fear grasped her more firmly. The life she had built up-money, power, status-all depended upon Alexander. The loss of him was to be the loss of all, and she could not bear the idea of returning into that obscurity she'd fought so hard to leave behind.

A concrete resolution set in her. Five years were over, she thought. It was a good time to give the motion of design another

Whatever it took, one way or another, she would find a way to make her place permanent in Alexander's life.

AMA

and pay Emma had been two weeks back in her native land but hadn't gathered enough courage to go to her father's grave homage to him. Of course, it wasn't for a lack of missing him or for a want of things to say, but life, her kids, and the burden of the last two weeks had gotten in the way. Today, she was going to finally introduce her father to the most precious part of) her life: her children.

They drove, and Emily stared out the window at the busy city. "Mommy, where are we going?"

Emma forced a smile. "We're going to visit someone very important to me. Someone I love very much."

Emily asked innocently, her big eyes

and she tightened her grip on the steering wheel. This was the fifth time in two weeks that Emily had mentioned her father, each time

finish the questions, but Ethan, who'd been quietly listening, looked up with curiosity at her words. "Mommy, you

softly and nodded her head. "Yes,

alone, asked again, "Then where is

could to

voice

Brandon our daddy?" Emily

argument. The car fell silent, but she could almost feel

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Chapter 42

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everything that happened. Her love for

home, Ethan broke the silence. "Mom, I know his

Whose name?"

name in the world! Can I be

stranger no more. He has a name. His name is

rose swiftly, surprising even

sight of him crying tore at Emma's heart, and she instantly regretted her outburst. Reaching back, she took his hand, her own voice full of emotion. Tm so sorry, Ethan. I just. I just want to

her children screamed, terror filling the car as she struggled to get back in control. Fortunately, other cars around her were able to

Ethan Emma's voice finally broke in panic, her eyes wide with fear as she tried to reach her son. In a few seconds. the street went mad and a jam

was the custom, Alexander sat in the backup, tapping his watch impatiently as he looked out from his car. "What's going on?" he muttered to Kevin as he came back inside. "Looks like an accident up ahead, but it should be

car and he drove like a maniac to the nearest hospital which happened to be Blackthorn Hospital. They reached the hospital and Ethan was rushed into the emergency unit. Emma walked up and down the hall as