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.

against the tiled floor. Her face was twisted with rage, her eyes. blazing as though fueled by

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 was maddening. The humiliation of it all churned in her gut, the memory of how even the store staff had seemed to notice

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

over as she

the shards glittering on the floor like the pieces of her crumbling facade. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as her

Emma was a threat-no, more than a threat. She was the embodiment of everything Annie had fought so hard to

in her anger, her phone vibrated insistently in her purse. The shrill ringtone grated against her

her voice sharp

the screen. The name glowing on the display made her blood boil even more. She clenched her jaw, wishing she'd ignored the

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Chapter 70

mocking. "Our business isn't over until

П

more strained than he intended. "I paid you what we agreed on. Whatever yout think

woman came to see me a few

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

to know," he said, a grin evident in his