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.

with a soothing voice that pleaded

he asked flatly, knowing what her answer would

wanted her sons to make peace for so long, but the break between Jaden and his oldest brother, Jake Fernando, seemed impossible to

along well with Jake. Jake was the eldest and the apparent heir, who had always felt threatened by Jaden's intelligence and magnetic

see your face," his mother said

a heavy sigh and closed his eyes. "All right, Mom. Less than thirty

to his parents' estate house, the four expensive cars aligned neatly in the driveway 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 stand out, but it seemed more like a gilded cage

room. The hum of conversation from the dining room ceased right at the moment he entered. His father's smile that had been there a few seconds

his father inquired. His eyebrows creased

you told me to do last night, Dad, Jaden replied nonchalantly, completely disregarding the tension in the

table his voice rose in anger. I'm sure you don't want

here because of Mom. If this is how tonight's going to be. I'll leave right now. He turned to walk

her later. Juand cat she implored, quiet desperation in

to the table. He sat down, feeling the weight of

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Chapter 83

align themselves with the family's golden child. The hostility in their

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

was over, Jaden wasted no time excusing himself. He went to his car, anxious to get away from the oppressive atmosphere. Just as he reached for the ignition, a shadow fell beside his window. He looked up