Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter

114

Sitting in the dim glow of his bedroom, illuminated only by the television light, which cast flickering shadows across the walls, Brandon Kings sat watching the news. The news played on but he wasn't listening to the anchor's voice anymore; all he was focused on was the replaying footage of Emma and Jaden kissing at the coffee shop.

It was the hundredth time he had watched, his chest tighter each time the scene unfolded. The kiss wasn't a peck, wasn't fleeting; it was passionate, undeniable, with emotions that twisted a knife deep into Brandon's heart. The image of radiant and happy Emma in the arms of Jaden played repeatedly on every news outlet and social media platform. This was no ordinary news; this was the number-one trending topic worldwide.

Brandon's hand crashed down onto the arm of his chair, and suddenly, he was angry. But beneath that anger was something much stronger; hurt, jealousy, and a bone-deep ache he hadn't felt in years. He ran a hand down his face, trying to steady himself, but it didn't stop the anger.

With a shaky breath, Brandon reached for the framed picture on his bedside table; a photo of him and Diana Walker, taken just weeks before her life was cruelly stolen. The sound of her laughter echoed in his mind, the sparkle of her eyes with love and mischief. She had been his world, and when Marina took her away, she destroyed him in ways he was still trying to recover from.

Tears brimmed in his eyes and flowed over, running down his cheeks as he stared at the photo, his fingers trembling, outlining Diana's face. "I'm so sorry, Diana," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I couldn't save you. I failed you."

The guilt and the grief just seemed to close in around him, like some immovable weight. For over five years, he had been a shadow of the man he once was, picking up the shattered pieces of his life while trying to keep the rest of the world from seeing how broken he truly

was.

Another thought rushed across his brain and he wiped his tears dry.

"Diana wouldn't want this." He whispered. "She wouldn't want me living in this eternal pool of pain and regret."

a stir at the sight of Emma during the function at the Wings of Hope. Her face had

so much pain, and the last thing he would want was adding to that. But maybe just maybe, he'd stayed a

the photo back on the table, his resolve hardening.

confirmed all of the details. There was no guarantee that Emma would listen to him, much less choose

back in his chair, staring at the confirmation email when doubts began to creep into his mind. Was he doing the right thing? Was he capable of giving Emma the love she deserved, or was he just chasing a ghost of

away. This wasn't about Diana anymore. It was about

in a storm inside. The headlines about Emma and Jaden's public display of affection had been screaming at her in mockery, images of them kissing, images of them being happy plastered everywhere. It seemed all anyone had been speaking of was

season.

as she continued to scroll. In her chest, relief mingled with bitterness. On one hand, Emma's budding relationship with Jaden might finally shift Alexander's focus

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Tue, Dec 24

Chapter 114

the sight of Emma so joyful, so radiant, was filling Annie with a bitter

a soft hiss under her breath, her fingers tightening on her

about to close the news app, a notification popped on her screen. Her stomach flipped

ordinary email. It was

at her,

million, or I'll send this

she clutched the phone tighter, her breath hitching in her throat. She glanced at Alexander, ensuring he was asleep, before slipping out of