Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter

55

That night, sleep cluded Emma as the words of Jalen replayed in her mind like an echo, reminding her of his pitiable request. She sincerely wanted to be able to help him, but doing to would only mean putting at risk the stability and safety she had fought to give her children. Her family would have to cine first, and heavy-hearted, she made the decision to push the request by Jaden to the back of her mind.

The following morning dawned peacefully. The sun shone brightly, and the beaming smiles of her twins warmed her up inside. Having seen Ethan off at daycare, Eimma took Emily to be appointment at Blackthorn Hospital. When she was sure that Emily was in the care of her medical teams, Emma made her way to Brianna's room. She found Brianna sitting by the window looking very fragile, serming lost in thought. As Emmeared her, she felt worried.

"Mother, are you alright?" she asked softly, taking Briana's frail hand in her own.

Brianna's eyes softened, but there was a hint of sadness in them. Where is Alexander? I have not seen you both together lately."

Emma's heart sank, knowing that Brianna was in precarious health and that the knowledge that she was separated from Alexander might be more than she could handle. She had never discussed the present status of her marriage with her to added concern. save Brianna from an

"Alexander has been busy with work," she said quietly. "But he will see you soon. I promise.

Brianna sighed loudly, her fragile fingers lying in Emma's. "Emu, I want grandchildren. I don't know how much time I have left

Emma felt her throat tighten, but she made a reassuring smile. Mother, don't say that. You're here, and I'm here with you. We have time."

Brianna's gaze

with Brianna for once and tell

blue, the door opened. She raised her head to find Alexander standing there, dressed flawlessly and as magnetic as ever. The tide of memories filled her brain, memories of the last time she had been

a part of her old self seeming to swim to the surface and light up her entire face. "Come, sit with your wife," she invited him, nodding to the small

crossed the room, his eyes inscrutable as he approaches. He

inches separating them, but it felt suffocating. She could intoxicatingly

eyes sparkling with quiet satisfaction. "It's good to

bubbling inside her. Brianna's happiness weighed on her. even a glance in his direction might betray the swirl of filling her with a strange mixture of guilt and longing, as if just for that

voice low but urgent. "Sir, your attention is needed outside, and you

the door opened,

brow furrowed in confusion, and her heart turned uneasy suddenly. Why

Chapter 55

yet rose wardlessly to her feet, following Alexander from the room. She kept

surge of people towards pouring glasses. Emma blinked, utterly bewildered, her yes jumping from one unknown face to another, trying to make out what was going on. And then she saw it: a big banner unfolding before her eyes, letters in an overly dramatic script; Happy

standing at the center of the crowd, grinning with that same, all-too-familiar smugness. She was the picture of a conqueror, her eyes gleaming as she strode toward them with a money bouquet, a lavish display wrapped

and the handmade card. She had waited all evening, only for him to turn up late, exhausted and indifferent, and to brush her off with a belittling "It's just another day." She had

twisted as Alexander's reacted. He was too thrilled, too comfortable. Annie snaked her arms around his neck; her face lit with that kind of devotion that Emma had once yearned for but

Alexander's shoulder at Emma. Happy birthday to the best man in the world." And in the blink of an eye, before Emma could even have time to bat an eyelash, Annie pulled him into a

emotion warring inside of her, the pain, the bitterness, helpless fury. She'd convinced herself time and again that she was over Alexander, that he no longer had any power over her. And yet, here she was, watching him kiss another woman, her heart buckling under the weight of his betrayal. It felt like a cruel joke, a wound that was never allowed to heal. And the ultimate