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.

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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."

her big eyes searching Emma's

fifth time in two

finish the questions, but Ethan, who'd been quietly listening, looked up with curiosity

her head. "Yes, it's

well enough alone,

could to find words, I

Ethan's voice revealed innocent

Brandon our daddy?" Emily asked

ton that didn't invite further argument. The car fell silent, but

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Chapter 42

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twins to the grave of her father. She introduced her twins to him, and through her tears streaming down her face, she told her father everything that happened. Her love for him never lessened, even as she could find out he wasn't her biological father; he had been the

way home, Ethan broke the

Whose name?"

face lit up. "Mr. Handsome! You remember, right? That guy we saw at the airport. His first name is Alex. I think it's the coolest name in the world! Can I be named Alex, too?" Emma's hands clutched

a stranger no more. He has

stop!" Her voice rose

shaking with hurt and fear. The 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 keep you safe. I'm

wheel with all her might as she and her children screamed, terror filling the car as she struggled to get back in control. Fortunately, other cars around her were able to stop in time, limiting the extent of the accident, but this was not enough to prevent injury. Ethan was thrown onto his seat,

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

as he came back inside. "Looks like an accident up ahead, but it should be cleared soon. The

beyond blaming anyone, too preoccupied with thoughts of her children; she simply nodded. She and her twins got into his 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