Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 106

Emma's breath caught; her heart was pounding painfully in her hest. It felt as though the room was closing in, the walls inching closer. She clenched her hands together, her nails digging into her palm, willing herself to be strong, but the words cut deep, reopening old wounds with a fresh pain.

Vivian, her body shaking with anger, stepped forward. Her voice raged, though she worked hard at control it. "You have no right to come here, Annie, You...

Annie cut her off, voice sharp and cold. "I have every right, Vivian! I'm going to be the mother of your niece or nephew. Watch the way you speak to me! And if there is anyone who doesn't belong here, it's her!" She thrust her finger toward Emma, venom dripping from her words.

Gasps echoed around the room. The accusation hung in the air like poison.

Brianna's eyes flashed dangerously her voice low and even. "You are a homewrecker. You destroyed my son's home but you can't destroy my home. This is my home," she said, each word loud and clear, and I choose my guests wisely. You were not invited, Annie. And you have no right to decide who belongs in my family!

A tremor of anger crossed Annie's face. She swallowed hard, her eyes darting around the room before reaching into her bag. She pulled out a diamond wristwatch with too much confidence. It was gleaming under the chandelier's light.

"I got this for you, Mother," she said, forcing sweetness back into her voice. "A welcome home gift from the designer you adore so much. Please... take it.

The room quiet. All eyes turned to Brianna, whose expression twisted with disgust as she looked at the gift. Her lips curled, the disgust and anger she felt etched into every line on her face.

Then, with a sudden, shocking movement, Brianna snatched the watch from Annie's hand. Without hesitation, she hurled it onto the tiled floor.

gunshot; the room collectively gasped as this supposedly very expensive and indestructible watch shattered into irreparable fragments. Small pieces of diamond scattered across the floor, glittering like

in disbelief. She opened her mouth, but no words could come out. Her well-structured plan was falling apart, and she had no idea what

Scorn laced her voice. You even have the audacity

Annie stammered, her voice cracking, her cheeks flushed with shame. "They must have duped me." Panic flickered in

frail body shook, but her voice was steady and unwavering. "Enough!" she thundered,

darting around the room, searching for at least a shred of support from one

under the crushing weight of humiliation, her gaze falling to the floor as she prepared to leave. The shame curled around her like a suffocating cloak. But before she could turn around, a

stepped forward from the shadows, his jaw clenched, eyes ablaze with defiance. The silence was deafening as he leveled a cold,

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he said, ice dripping from every word, sharp and deliterate. "It's high time you accept her as the one

words cut through the air, leaving behind wounds that would never heal. The sense of betrayal in

door, his stile confident, uncaring of the devastation he left

wake.

The scene played out in front of her like some crazy nightmare she couldn't seem to wake up from, The same Alexander who was now standing up for Annie before his family had cornered her a week ago. He'd shoved her gainst the cold, cold wall, his

now... now that illusion was shattered into a