Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 115

Annie slid down to the cold bathroom floor, knees hitting the tile with a soft thud. The phone was trembling in her hand, the screen glowing weakly like an ice-cold reminder of the horror she'd just seen. Her fingers clutched it so hard that her. knuckles turned white. +5

Silent tears streamed over her face; every falling drop left its track, as if with the purpose of testifying to her fear. She felt so stifled; the weight began to press upon her with crushing force.

She whispered some words of comfort, her voice no louder than a whisper. "I can't let this ruin me. I won't let this ruin me." As many times as she repeated the words, they sounded so hollow and helpless against the fear writhing hard in her stomach.

She stared down at the phone clutched in her hands, the blackmail message staring up at her tauntingly. Her mind searched for a way out of the problem, but everything was messed up. She bit her bottom lip hard, the metallic taste of blood welling in her mouth. This was her mess, and she had to clean it up, but how?

With trembling fingers, she scrolled down her contacts until she reached a phone number: the number of the owner of the playhouse, the man in whom she had so stupidly placed her trust. She dialed his phone number. She could feel her pulse pounding in her ears as she waited for the call to connect.

But, as she'd feared, the call didn't go through; instead, a robotic voice told her the number was no longer in service. Panic surged through her veins, threatening to consume her. The realization hit her like a tidal wave, she was on her own. The man had disappeared. She dragged herself to her feet and out of the bathroom, returning into the bedroom. Soft light from the lamp beside the bed outlined Alexander's sleeping form, oblivious of the turmoil that was brewing beside him.

Annie slid into bed as quietly as possible, her heart thudding against her ribs. Lying on her back, staring at the ceiling, her mind churning with thoughts of how to handle the situation. Morning was a long time coming, and every ticking second cut deeper into her predicament like a knife.

mind refused to quiet down. The video replayed in her head over and

clutched onto the blanket, her fingernails digging into it. Fear wrapped itself round her

sunlight filtered through the curtains, and Emma walked into the living room, her heart still racing from the whirlwind of yesterday. She had never in her wildest imagination fathomed that her kiss with Jaden would create such a stir, but the media had gone overboard. Everywhere she

it. He would have, by now at least. The thought of his reaction put a smirk on her lips.

Mrs. Walker stepped into the room. Emma's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her mother. She hadn't anticipated facing her so soon after the media frenzy. She gestured for Emma to

from each other, Mrs. Walker's warm, loving gaze locking onto Emma's. She reached out, taking Emma's hand in hers, the gesture

began softly, her voice tinged with an emotion Emma couldn't quite place. "I'm so

tugging awkwardly at the

1/2

Wed, Dec 25

Chapter 115

80%

+5