Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 81

The motion stopped, and the room was suddenly silent. Emma's knuckles whitened on the phone as she whispered, "Mom. Til call you back.

She hadn't even turned a step further when a loud, cheery "Surprise!" exploded from the kitchen.

Emma almost jumped out of her skin, clutching her chest as her twins, Emily and Ethan, burst into the room while Brandon followed them. Emily clutched a cake, wearing a very proud smile; Ethan was bouncing around beside her. "Oh my God, you scared the life out of me!" Emma exclaimed, bursting out laughing as her gaze shifted from her children to Brandon.

Brandon stepped forward, his eyes warm and sincere. "Congratulations, Emma. You've outdone yourself. I'm so proud of

your

Enuna's heart softened at his words, but suspicion flickered in her gaze. "Wait a minute. How did you get in here?" she asked. narrowing her eyes at Brandon.

Ethan piped up with a grin, "We let him in, Mom!"

down her spine. She made a mental note to address this later. Brandon, not realizing her turmoil, began setting the table with the feast he had brought. The spread looked incredible, and as they sat down together, the tantalizing flavors only added to the joyous atmosphere. Emma

over the world. For once, the spotlight felt good, like a warm embrace rather than a

then, her

her attention, freezing her mid-motion. Her chest tightened as she read the words: "Miss Annie Confirms Pregnancy Following Public Fainting

Her fingers trembled as she clicked on the link. The article laid everything bare-Annie

to tilt. Her mind replayed last night's events, from the revelation to the fainting and chaos, now culminating in this. Annie's pregnancy was a bombshell that threatened to override everything. Emma felt the morning's joy drain out, only to be filled with a

deep breaths. Not now,

that she could not

head, filled with panic and disbelief. The words of Emma from the restroom confrontation replayed her mind, an endless melody that cut a little deeper with each reprise. Annie had taken them as empty threats then, but now, they felt like daggers poised to strike her heart. 21:18 Tue,

Chapter 81

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more powerful, and infinitely more cunning than Annie had ever imagined. The realization

nerves, did little to alleviate Annie's discomfort. Her chest tightened as she recalled the look in Emma's eyes last night: a mixture of confidence and disdain. Annie firmed her fists underwater, her nails digging into her palms. She had underestimated her Emma, and now