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."

her big eyes searching Emma's

heart clenched, 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 reopening a wound. "No, sweetheart. Not your daddy-my

Ethan, who'd been quietly listening, looked up with curiosity

and nodded her head. "Yes, it's

let well enough alone,

best she could to find

Ethan's voice revealed

Brandon our daddy?" Emily

said firmly, shutting the discussion down with a ton that didn't invite further argument. The car fell silent, but she could

1/3

12:54 Tue, Dec 17

Chapter 42

ΕΠ

her 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;

the silence. "Mom, I

Whose name?"

right? That guy we saw at the airport. His first name is Alex. I think it's the coolest name in the world!

He has a name. His name is

stop!" Her voice rose swiftly, surprising even her.

shoulders 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

car as she struggled to get back in control.

voice finally broke in panic, her eyes wide with fear as she tried to reach

accident up ahead, but it should be cleared soon. The man who had hit Emma's car rushed over, his whole body shaking

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 helpless and