Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 72

Later that night, Adam Henshel sat alone in his dimly lit cell, the weight of his thoughts pressing heavily on him. The cold metal walls offered no comfort, and the faint hum of the facility's fluorescent lights only seemed to amplify his agitation. Annie hadn't called him back after their last conversation, and the silence gnawed at him.

He replayed the call in his head, her sharp tone and dismissive words still stinging like an open wound. How could she speak to him this way after everything? The first time she approached him, she had been sweet; her smiles as polished as the diamonds she wore on her fingers. She had spoken with him as if they were partners, as if her regard for him was paramount. But now, now that he was imprisoned and no longer of any ust to her, she treated him like dirt.

The bitterness boiled inside him, his nails into the skin of his palms as Adam clenched his fists tighter. His life was already a mess. With two of the children dead, it would not be long before the law closed in on him tighter. He knew prison would be inevitable, there would be no escaping it. But if he was going down, he wasn't going alone.

His mind wandered to the other woman who had contacted him. She had made an enticing offer-one promising more money than Annie had ever paid him. He didn't know who she was personally, but at this juncture, that did not matter. Annie had deserted him, and the thought of taking her down with him had a poetic feel to it

"Why not profit from my downfall?" he muttered to himself in a bitter, low tone. "If I'm going to rot in prison. I might as well make it worthwhile."

He leaned back against the cold wall, a deep growl rumbling in his throat as the memories of Annie's betrayal played over and over in his head. Her dismissive words, her lack of loyalty-irall fueled his rage. She had used him, played him, and then discarded him like he was nothing.

But what really sent his blood boiling was the thought of her smug face, going about her life unscathed. He wanted to see her fall, watch her crumble under the weight of her own deceit and lies. The temptation to call the other woman and make a deal grew with each passing second

But then a pang of fear coursed through him. What if this other woman was setting him up? What if this was some elaborate trap to get him to confess? He shook his head, trying to dispel the doubt. He was already comered; the walls were closing in and he had little to nothing left to lose.

was sleepless torture. He felt the faces of children; innocent eyes stared right into his conscience. And yet he had committed what only a monster would have. What was worse, the crime would not let

sleep eluded Adam. He lay awake, persecuted by his thoughts. The ticking clock seemed to reverberate through the silent hours-the tick of every second marked another chunk of time eaten into his limited stock. He was going to make a move one way or another.

society comes together, waltzing in garish light and celebration of power, prestige, and success. Annie sat before her vanity, the

anonymous CEO of W Holdings. The rumors, the

as she practiced her introduction du her head. She imagined the

her irresistible allure. Whoever that CEO was, she would have no choice but to accept her proposal: she was unbeatable with the status in

her work was complete. Annie Hood, taking the chance to study herself. Glowing, with every single piece of hair in place, Angie's features were vivid. She picked up her fashion bag and sashayed out of the room with queenship poise Alexander was waiting for her in the sitting room, standing tall and impatient. As she came

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Chapter 72

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smile, planting a quick kiss on his cheek. "Shall we?" she said sweetly, looping her arm through his as they walked out

her poised exterior. Alexander walked her to the passenger side and opened the door for her-the kind of old-world chivalry that made a girl feel like royalty. She

except for the low hum of the engine and the randourbuzz of Annie's phone.