Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

11:19 Sat, 21 Dec Ki Chapter III

Chapter 111

The moment he read Emma's message, a flood of emotion took over his mind.

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He softly bit his bottom lip as memories of last night rushed through his head. The way she had crashed her lips against his had played in his head on an endless loop all night. He had tossed and turned, haunted by the feel of her touch.

Even now, he could hardly believe he had stopped himself. His heart had screamed to give her what she wanted. But the desire to protect her, even from himself, had held him back. And for that, he was grateful. Emma deserved so much more.

He exhaled deeply as he rose to his feet, grabbed his phone, adjusted his tie, and walked out of his office.

His heart was racing in his chest as he slid behind the wheel of his car. She had messaged him to meet her at a coffee shop. Without any hesitation, he sped off.

He arrived, and the coffee shop was mostly empty. He took a deep breath and walked in.

The smell of roasted beans and freshly baked pastries filled his nostrils. He chose a table at the dark corner of the room; his leg bounced with nervous energy as he waited for her. His gaze kept darting toward the door every few seconds. Then Emma appeared. Emma walked in, her presence as beautiful as ever.

She was putting on a simple black sundress that barely skimmed her knees.

The gown flowed with such ease around her.

Her skin was smooth, glowing, and blemishless. When finally her gaze found him, they brightened up.

She lifted a hand and waved at him. Her gesture was full of grace. Jaden's heart twisted hard in his chest.

The feelings he had locked away for so long were now battling him. That smile, that simple gesture, started to crumble his carefully built restraint.

stood as she approached. The palms of his hands were slick with sweat, his throat dry from unspoken words. He pulled out her chair for

She murmured

arrived, steam curling between them, but neither reached to

filled with so many questions neither was brave enough to ask. The silence stretched. Jaden could feel the awkwardness, the weight of everything. He shifted in his seat, his fingers tracing the edge of his cup as his mind searched for the

she looked down at her hands, fidgeting with nervousness. There was

and wave upon entry, to act like all was well, but on the inside, she

him now made the incidence

air between them

took a deep breath, forcing herself to speak. "About

voice cut in softly. "It's

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Chapter 111

swept over her in a wave, and

reassurance was all

that he would judge her by her action or regret the moment vanished in

neither willing to break the silence in the air

when they had emptied their cups, Emma stirred uneasily in her seat. She needed to

murmured, her voice too polite. She

her wrist. His touch was

Frozen, she was unable to move, and then slowly turned

she saw it. The emotion burning in his eyes was one she knew far too well, as it always being to being there whenever

on her wrist loosened, but he didn't let go. He exhaled

came low, laced with vulnerability. "I hope someday you'll

her voice barely audible over the rush

desperately against

to tell you this. Ever since I laid my eyes on you, I haven't been able to think straight. You've become

vulnerability in his eyes ripped at her defenses, he was