Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 135

Jaden sat dumbfounded, his knuckles white as he clutched the cage of his desk, as his secretary's phone played the news feed live. The chaotic scene felt like a nightmare he couldn't wake from. He dialed Emma's number again and again with a trembling hand, just praying she'd answer. Every ring in his ear felt like a dagger stabbed into his heart.

"Pick up, Emma... please," he whispered, his voice cracking under the weight of his fear. He hoped this was just a joke.

But there was no response. The phone continued to ring until it went to voicemail. He stared blankly at the screen for a moment, his chest tightening. Then he saw it happen: the 69th floor, her floor, was suddenly engulfed in flames and smoke. Jaden's vision blur with hot tears streaming down his cheeks. His breathing hitched, and a strangled sob escaped his lips. He rose angrily, the chair scraping noisily across the floor. His heart ached with uncontrollable pain.

The thought of waiting was killing him; he needed to be nearer to Emma, even if it meant being confronted with a terrifying truth. He snatched his jacket and, without saying a word, stormed out of his office, barking orders at his assistant for the next available flight. The hallway outside his office was sad, heavy with the echoes of every step he took. He hardly even saw Jake leaning casually against the wall until Jake stepped into his path.

"Well, well," Jake drawled, a smug grin plastered on his face. "Where to, brother? Off to save the damsel in distress?" His tone was mocking.

Jaden froze, his jaw clenching. His anger was boiling. His fists clenched 1 at his sides as he turned to Jake, his eyes ablaze.

"Get out of my face," Jaden growled through gritted teeth.

Jake's grin broadened; his amusement only grew higher with Jaden's reaction. "Touchy, aren't we? Don't tell me..."

Before Jake could get the words out, Jaden walked past him with such force that Jake almost stumbled. He really didn't have time for Jake's stupidity. Not now.

He didn't care about Jake's sneers or the pitiful stares of the staff he passed. All he could think about was Emma.

The thought of losing her forever was unbearable.

AAAAA

Brandon sat in Emily's hospital room. The live news played on, the footage capturing the horrifying moment the 69th floor of W2 Holdings exploded. His heart dropped as he watched the fire and soot consumed the upper levels of the building. "No. Emma." he whisper shout, his voice breaking as fear clutched at his throat.

told her everything, how he had loved her silently for years, how he admired strength and sadly, she has turned him down respectfully but now, she took was

like a tidal wave, and he grabbed his head between his hands, taking shallow,

who had loved him too and died, and now Emma, too, was gone, just a day after he had confessed his feelings for

women, both taken from him in the

where little Emily lay sleeping. Her tiny chest rose and fell steadily. Tears blurred

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one. Tears streamed down his face, and silently he made a promise with himself that he would stand by Emily,

Ethan and Mrs. Walker. He couldn't fly out of the country now, not yet. His responsibility was

number, telling her not to

ΔΑΛΛΑ

men suddenly came into the room, looking

a bomb," one of them

bomb? In broad daylight?" she asked, her voice sharp and tinged with

'solemnly. "The Diana

was replaced by something darker, a

the realization washing over her like a sweet melody. Someone else out there had struck

same failure she has been with her father's company The thought that Emma might lose everything while Annie hadn't so much as lifted a finger sent her over the moon. This victory

herself, looking in Jim's direction.

out," Annie ordered coldly, without

men nodded and dragged Jim away as Annie smoothed her dress, her mind already moving on to the next step. She flagged a passing taxi and made sure to instruct the driver to

as the scene came into view, the building wasn't all destroyed. Just

and her heart leapt again. The headlines reported that Emma Black herself