Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 50

Jaden patiently waited in front of Emma's apartment, holding a bag full of groceries in one hand, his eyes lighting up the moment he saw her car pull into the driveway. As the doors opened. Emma's twins, Emily and Ethan, burst out of the car faces alight with unrestrained joy. They ran to him with infectious excitement upon seeing him. "Uncle Jaden!" they screamed, and the quiet of the evening was blown to smithereens

Jaden set the grocery bag down on the ground, kneeling just in time to catch the twins as they collided into his arms, embracing them with genuine warmth. He held thein close, laughing as they wrapped their little arms around his neck. filling him with a joy that felt strangely familiar yet new, like a home he never realized he missed.

Emma stood a few feet away, her eyes misting over as she watched. She hadn't realized the sight of her children so openly happy, unguarded, and loved would affect her this way. Moments like this had been so rare, slipping through her fingers I grains of sand. Life had been so unfair to her and her kids, all thanks to her fate. But today, seeing Jaden with them like th was something she hadn't noticed that they had missed for so many years. She brushed away a tear, composing herself as she approached the happy trio. Always the inquisitive one, Emily was quick to notice the grocery bag that Jaden had left lying by his feet. "Uncle Jaden, what's in the bag?" she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Jaden gave her a mischievous wink. "Oh, these are for the little surprise dinner that I have planned tonight. Fm cooking on of my favorite dishes-just for you," he said, looking at Emma with a warm, reassuring smile.

Emma's heart fluttered at the gentle kindness in his voice, the strange pull of his gaze, until she quickly looked away, surprised at the unexpected stir his presence created in her. So much of her life she had been independent that this sudder gentleness from Jaden was both a comfort and a disturbance.

As they all trooped inside, Ethan tugged at Jaden's sleeve, curiosity getting the better of him. "What are you cooking, Jaden? Tell mel

Uncle

Jaden burst out laughing, as if it was the funniest thing he had ever heard "Ah, but then it would not be a surprise, would it? You need to wait and see!"

pouted, giving her best try at a sad face. "Please tell us, Ungle Jaden!" she whined, tugging playfully at his trousers. Before Jaden could say anything. Emma stepped forward, laying a soothing hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Let's let Unci Jaden keep his surprise,

couldn't explain seemed to pass between them, racing Emma's heart. She found herself wanting to burrow into the kindness and stability he

Holdings required constant attention, and she'd long become accustomed

her invitations since she took over W2, but she had declined each one. Attending had been painful reminders of the rejection and alienation she had felt from Alexander, her former husband, and from his circle, She had donated to the Aurora Honors for years instead of attending, staying away from the likes of Alexander. Yet, as she stared at her screen, the invitation seemed to bring a gang of something different-a longing to retrieve a part of herself she had tucked away. She closed her laptop

Jaden was serving up the good with flair; the twins were practically bouncing as they took their chairs. The room was filled with laughter as together

Dec 17

Chapter 50

a glow fill her heart in a way it hadn't

+1

Jaden stayed, his eyes deep with some unspoken intent. Then he turned to her, with a severity that quickened

name she'd told him to use.

her tone even. "You can call me Emma. I'm done with the alias.." Alexander already knows everything.!

Jaden's face as he repeated, "Emma," the name sounding so good on his lips. "I know we met in a weird manner, and you still don't know a lot about me. Honestly, I don't know all there is to know about you either. But

silent for a moment, then heaved a deep breath. "There's something you need to know... I

other