Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 113

wake up from the dream he was sure he was having.

Jaden stared into Emma's eyes, his mind racing to process her words. Was this real? Was she really standing before him, her arms securely wrapped around his waist, telling him she was ready to be his girlfriend? He blinked, almost afraid that if he moved or spoke, he'd But this wasn't a dream. The softness of her hug, the steady beat of her heart against his chest, it was all real.

His gaze locked onto hers, those brown eyes he had fallen in love with long ago. His heart skipped a beát, then another, as her words echoed within his mind.

"I want us to try," Emma said, her voice barely above a whisper and the morning sun lit her smile.

His breath hitched; his chest felt a crushing surge of emotions that he didn't even have a name for. Was this what love felt like? Real, unfiltered love? It coursed through every molecule that made up his very soul with such great intensity. He had waited for this moment, dreamed about it, ached from wanting it through endless nights and now it was here.

Emma's grip around his waist tightened, and he was anchored back to reality, where, in that moment, he lost the last of his self-control. Without thinking, without hesitating, Jaden leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was as desperate as it was passionate. The world around them melted away. The murmurs of the coffee shop faded into nothingness, the curious gazes of bystanders ceased to matter. None of that existed anymore as her lips lay softly warm against his. she was everything he wanted. This was not a kiss like the one they had last night. This kiss was raw, full of promises he could not yet say. It was his way of telling her how much she meant to him, how much he had longed for her, how she was his everything.

His hands moved to cradle her face, his thumb stroking against her cheek as he deepened the kiss, one that spoke volumes of months of bottled-up emotions, nights spent yearning for her and the dreams he had dared to dream of them. When they finally broke apart, both were gasping for air. Emma's cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen, and the smile on her face melted him all over again.

"You have no idea what you mean to me," Jaden whispered, his voice husky with emotion.

shirt as if she was scared to let go. "You're not

as he gently pulled her toward the door. Ignoring the gawking customers and wide-eyed baristas, he led

his voice steady

out, and her fingers skimmed across his

AAAAA

the hospital, pulling a cap over his face, careful

hospital didn't sit well with him. As he walked briskly through the sterile hallways, he couldn't help but feel a pang of irritation. Why had Annie chosen this hospital, knowing full well that his own

Chapter 113

the door, and when she saw him, a

"Alexander," she whispered hoarsely.

foot of her bed. Anger and concern mixed in his chest. No matter how much he was angry with Annie, a

few minutes later, the doctor entered the room with a clipboard in his hands. He greeted Alexander and started explaining

in a measured tone. "At all costs, she must avoid strenuous activities and any further emotional stress if she

before. As much as his frustration lingered, the thought of anything happening to their child was unbearable. Turning to the doctor, Alexander's voice went crisp and authoritative. "Transfer her file to my

face unreadable, but his jaw

sighed and waved her hand at