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.

to confess his feelings to her. He had told her everything, how he had loved her silently for years, how he admired strength

like a tidal wave, and he grabbed his head between his hands, taking shallow, ragged breaths as he wondered if it were his

sharp pang of sorrow pierced his heart at the thought of Diana who had loved him too and died, and now Emma, too, was gone, just a day

incredible women, both taken from him in

Emily lay sleeping. Her tiny chest rose and fell steadily. Tears blurred his vision

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and laid his big hand over her small one. Tears streamed down his face, and silently he made a promise with himself that he would stand by Emily, Ethan, and Mrs. Walker

had left behind; Ethan and Mrs. Walker. He couldn't fly out of the country

Kelly's number, telling her not to

ΔΑΛΛΑ

suddenly came into the room, looking shocked and

was a bomb," one of

with utter disbelief. "A bomb? In broad daylight?" she asked, her voice

'solemnly. "The Diana House

something darker, a twisted sense of

wasn't untouchable after all, she thought, the realization washing over her like a sweet melody. Someone

thought that Emma might lose everything while Annie hadn't so much as lifted

Jim's direction. He sat slumped in the chair, his face so battered,

without feeling. "He's useless to

and made sure to instruct the driver to drive by Diana House. She had to see for herself the destruction, bathe in the view of Emma's empire

neared the building, Annie leaned forward; her smile not as wide as the scene came into view, the building wasn't all destroyed. Just a few of the top floors were affected with thick smoke still billowing

her phone to check the latest news updates. She scrolled and her heart leapt again. The headlines reported that Emma Black herself had been inside the building when the