Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 78 537

She sighed, glancing at the city lights streaming past her window. The silence was unbearable. Finally, she turned to him, her voice soft and worried. "Is anything the problem?"

"Nothing, Jaden replied curtly, his voice chipped and low. His hands gripped the wheel tighter, his frustration palpable.

Emma frowned, her worry growing. "Jaden."

He sighed heavily but didn't look at her. "Emma, it's nothing. Just drop it."*

But it wasn't nothing, and Emma could feel the weight of his anger bearing down on her. She watched him in the dim light. the lines of his face hard and unforgiving.

Inside, Jaden's emotions churned in chaotic storm. He felt like a fool. No, worse-a pawn. The woman he cared for, the one he had defended and admired, had played him. Or at least, that's how it

tfelt

He had talked for a whole week about the CEO of W2 HOLDINGS. marveling at her power and her vision. And Emma had sat there, quiet, listened to him ramble on, never once giving a single hint. He wasn't upset about her success-far from it. He did admire her ambition. How could she keep such a monumental thing from him? Can't she have trusted him enough to tell him even minutes before everyone else!

His mind had been racing as he pulled up in front of her apartment building. He didn't help her out of the car, he didn't even look at her. His heart felt heavy, but his pride wouldn't let him act otherwise.

"Goodnight," Emma murmured hesitantly, but Jaden didn't reply

Emma standing on the curb-the

apartment and watched as the tail lights of Jaden's car disappeared into the darkness. Her heart pained at his reaction, the cold in his eyes haunting her. She hadn't meant to hurt him. She hadn't even considered he would be affected much less how. Tears prickled her eyes, but she blinked them away. Regret was not an

night, Jaden had stepped outside to take a call. His father was on the other end, his voice low and rumbling in anger. "You need to drop

flaring. "Emma is my girlfriend, Dad. And one day, I intend to

wife" his father had scoffed. I've already found you a wife, someone who will bring strength to our family name, not

his steadfast loyalty to Emma never really called into question. "You don't ger to decide

up, and

into a volatile cocktail. It wouldn't be taken back-he couldn't regret the defense given to Emma against his father-but he couldn't shake this sting pressed onto his silence Eventually, he pulled up to a bar, parking his car with a jerky motion. He stepped inside and ordered the strongest drink they had. Tonight, he

first glass, the bitterness of the alcohol trrored the bitterness in his chest. He had believed in Emma. fought for

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Chapter 78

siren a faint echo in her disoriented mind. She blinked hard, her vision blurring as paramedics

I she croaked, her voice hoarse and tinged

ambulance, ma'am. We're on our way to

manipulative Emma. It had been for the cameras, nothing more than a forced gesture to maintain appearances.

needles from her arm, ignoring the sting of pain. "No! This can't be happening!" she spat, her face twisting into

paramedic was at her side, trying to restrain her his hands firm yet gentle as he pressed her