Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 70

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Pulling himself free, his hand gripped the length of his throbbing desire. He closed his eyes and let his head fall back, the image of Emma flooding his mind. Her smile, her laugh, the way she moved-it all played on an endless loop in his head.

His hand moved rhythmically, seeking relief from the torment, but it wasn't enough. No matter how much he tried, the pleasure was hollow, a poor substitute for what he truly craved.

He wanted her. Needed her. No one else could make him feel whole-no one else could

d fill the void she had left behind.

Just as he was beginning to lose himself in the sensation, the shrill ring of his office phone jolted him back to reality.

"Damn it," he hissed, cursing under his breath as he reached for the phone, his frustration reaching a boiling point,

He answered with a terse, "What?" his voice rough and uneven, bis emotions barely contained.

"Sir, it's Kevin," came the steady reply. "I've got the details on the man you asked about

Alexander straightened, his breathing still heavy. He tucked himself away, composing himself as best as he could. "Il call you back." he said curtly before slamming the receiver down.

her heels clicking sharply against the tiled floor. Her face was twisted with rage, her eyes. blazing as though fueled by a fire she could no longer contain. She looked every bit the demon she had

in her mind, tormenting her. She had seen the way Alexander looked at Emma, his gaze lingering, soft, filled with something Annie hadn't seen directed at her in a long time, if ever. It

it exposed. But she had wielded tears as a weapon for years, a means to pull Alexander back into her orbit whenever she felt him drifting. Now, her usual tricks seemed useless. He hadn't even spared her a glance, let alone the comfort

as

wall. The shattering sound was satisfying but fleeting, the shards glittering on the floor like the pieces of her crumbling facade. She clenched

it was a warning. A message that she could no longer ignore. Emma was a threat-no, more than a threat. She was the embodiment of everything Annie had fought so hard to keep. Alexander was

she stewed in her anger, her phone vibrated insistently in her purse. The shrill ringtone grated against her frayed nerves. Snatching the

snapped, her

away to check the screen. The name glowing on the display made her blood boil even more. She clenched her

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Chapter 70

mocking.

П

though the sound came out more strained than he intended. "I paid you what we agreed on. Whatever yout think

the man said slowly, the menace in his voice chilling. But a woman came to

ran cold. The room seemed to tilt, her grip on the phone tightening. "What

he said, a grin evident in his voice.