Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 107

When they finally reached the bedroom, Emma hesitated. With an awkward stiffness, she handed Brianna the carefully wrapped gift she'd brought. The paper crinkled softly.

Emma's fingers lingered for just a moment longer than they should have before she took a step back, ready to walk away from the ache that gnawed at her heart.

She turned toward the door, her body taut with a need to flee, to breathe, to get away from this house filled with so many shattered memories. But before she could make that first step, Brianna's frail hand shot out and wrapped itself around her wrist, her grip surprisingly strong.

Emma froze, her back straightening. Slowly, she turned her head, her face expressionless, her eyes guarded. She was afraid to let her emotions show, afraid they would betray just how deeply tonight had wounded her.

Brianna's voice trembled, heavy with regret. "Emma... I'm sorry

The sincerity in those three words pierced through Emma's defenses like an arrow. She let out a bitter awkward laugh. "You have nothing to apologize for, mother."

Brianna's fingers tightened around her wrist, her eyes with unshed tears. "I know you still love my son. And I promise you, I will do everything in my power to make him see what he has been too blind to realize."

For a microsecond, Emma's eyes flickered with pain. Her voice was barely a whisper, as her sadness nestled deep in her bones. "You're wrong, Mother. My feelings for Alexander are long forgotten. Long dead. We're no better than strangers now... and it will remain that way."

She gently pulled her wrist free from Brianna's grasp. Her eyes met Brianna's one final time, a soft yet firm resolve in her gaze. "Welcome home mother. I'll be on my way now."

Without waiting for a response, Emma turned and walked out of the room, each step was with an immense effort.

Her heart pounded, beating out a hollow ache through her chest. The walls seemed to close in on her, suffocating with memories and regrets she couldn't escape. When she finally reached the cool night air outside, she inhaled deeply.

for the door handle. She needed to

tense, and then turned to see Vivian coming towards her. Vivian's face was flushed, her eyes darting nervously

on the edge of vulnerability. "Emma... I know we don't exactly like each other. And I'm not thinking that that will change overnight. But... thank you. Thank you

added, her tone softer, "I'd... like to see you come around more. For her.

if she feared that lingering any Before Emma could form a response, Vivian turned longer would undo her courage. The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Emma alone in

holding back finally threatened to fall. The evening's weight bore down on her but

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11:08 Wed, Dec 18

Chapter 107

AAAAA

harder on

through the darkness, headlights blazing in the

through his

his chest felt like

on the steering wheel. His knuckles whiten to the bone. His heart raced

Annie; he had made it very clear when

most insulting manner he

a line she knew was not to be

understatement. The tires screeched against the tarred road, but Alexander's mind

a second before he sprang into action, grabbing Annie's wrist, he could not help but notice how Emma has held herself together all through