Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 117

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The force of the slap sent Alexander's head sideways, and for a moment, time just froze. His cheek stung from the sting, but it was nothing compared with the searing pain of rejection that cut deeper than he wanted to admit.

"How dare you?" Emma's voice cut, laced with anger and incredulity, while her eyes blazed like hot coals. Her chest heaved as she fought for control of her emotions. For one brief second, she had almost fallen into his trap again. Almost! But she was grateful she had reacted at the last second.

lexander slowly turned his head to face her, his expression unreadable, though the tension in his jaw betrayed the storm brewing inside him.

"You have no right to me anymore! None!" Her words cut through, each sharper than the other, hitting him like blows. "You made your choice, Alexander! We are strangers now, and I won't let you keep dragging me back into your chaos."

Her heart ached as she wrestled to keep her dignity intact. "How many times must I remind you of this? You have moved on, and so have I!" She glares at him, her eyes blazing with a feral determinacy. "You cannot eat your cake and have it, too. The next time you try this nonsense on me, Mr. Black, I will get you arrested and I mean it."

She had that ring of finality in her tone that would brook no arguments, and the word 'Mr. Black' struck something in Alexander.

She stood straighter, her hand out to indicate the door. "Now leave. This may be your hospital, but I am paying a fortune to stay in this room. You have no place here."

Alexander's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides as he absorbed her words. He knew he had crossed the line, but he could not stop himself. His emotions, jealousy, anger, and a desperation he refused to name-raged within him, tearing apart what little self- control he had left.

"Was kissing Jaden your way of getting back at me for what happened two nights ago?" His voice was low and bitter.

bright moment, Emma's eyes went wide with surprise; then she exploded into a scornful snort. Crossing her arms over her chest, she leaned backwards, cocking her head in a way that really dramatized just how riotously funny he must sound. "What are you talking about?" she sneered. "You don't actually think I am that

"I meant it when I signed those divorce papers five years ago, Alexander. I'm done with you. Done with your games. You're nothing but my

say anything. He just stood

voice burst into the air, cutting the tension that filled

away from Alexander, her gaze softening as she walked to Emily's bedside. "I'm here, sweetheart," she said gently,

without looking at Alexander, dismissing him with a

move, her attention fully on Emily now, as though he no longer existed. It wasn't just her words that stung, her complete dismissal of him hurt even

and tightly grasping the handle. The door opened to a tall figure stepping

Brandon Kings.

a towering presence and immediately swept the door out of Alexander's hand in one cocky move into

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Chapter 117

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him as though this were

was joyful even though she was groggy. She began making a lame attempt