Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter

83

His phone buzzed, jerking him out of his reverie. Emma's name danced across the screen. She called once, then again, and again

Jaden stared at the phone, his emotions a tangle of anger, regret, and something he couldn't quite name. But he didn't answer. He couldn't.

When the ringing finally ceased, leaving only an unsaid silence in its place, Jaden put down the phone and leaned backward, closing his eyes. Emma shook his world to the foundation, and he was still not ready to confront that fact-or himself. Not

now

A couple of minutes later, Jaden's phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen-it was his mother calling. He let out

resigned sigh before answering, already knowing the purpose of her call.

Jaden, darling. Good evening. Where are you? We're all here waiting for you," her warm, familiar voice filled the silence in

his room

"Tam not coming Jaden said quietly. Why should he lie, most especially to her? She was his mother, who had been the only one by his side through the high and the low of times.

fny sake, Jaden," she called out softly with a soothing voice that pleaded with him.

asked flatly, knowing

sons to make peace for so long,

Fernando family, but he had never gotten along well with Jake. Jake was the eldest and the apparent heir, who had always felt threatened by Jaden's intelligence and magnetic personality. Their animosity was palpable, even

see your face," his mother said softly, her voice almost

and closed his eyes. "All right, Mom.

served him at fresh dose of dread-the reminder of just how much he detested these family gatherings. Full well did the evidence of the Fernando family wealth

dining room ceased right at the moment he entered. His father's smile that had been there a few seconds ago

is your girlfriend?" his father inquired. His eyebrows creased in

to do last night, Dad, Jaden replied nonchalantly, completely disregarding the tension in the room.

table his voice rose in

calm but firm. "I came here because of Mom. If this is how tonight's going to be. I'll leave

can meet her later. Juand cat she implored, quiet desperation in

to be guided back to the table. He sat down, feeling the weight of five pairs of

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Chapter 83

from Jaden, preferring to align themselves with the family's golden child. The hostility in their stares was

than any words. His father occasionally cast disapproving glances in his direction, while Jake wore a smug smirk as if relishing the tension. Jaden ate

went to his car, anxious to get away from the oppressive atmosphere. Just as he reached for the ignition,