Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Jaden lingered at the far end of the hallway, his sharp gaze fixed on Alexander as he stepped out of Emma's room. For days now, Jaden had noticed Alexander's erratic behavior, his coldness crumbling to reveal his raw, unfiltered emotions. His actions had got Jaden thinking if he was truly the one that was meant for Emma.

Jaden's chest tightened with conflicting emotions. He loved Emma deeply; there was no doubt about that. But seeing Alexander like this stirred that nagging question in his mind.

He watched as Alexander and his people turned down another hallway, and he waited until they were gone. Once he was certain, he headed straight to Emma's room.

He had only stepped out earlier to give Brandon an update of what was going on in the hospital as well as check up on Emily and Ethan.

Thankfully, the twins were doing fine, and they were not aware of what was going on regarding their mother, but he knew it was only a matter of time before they started asking questions.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Jaden quietly entered the room. Emma was asleep. She looked too pale and vulnerable. He approached her bed and sank into the chair beside her, his heart aching at the sight of her in such a vulnerable state. Emma's eyes snapped open as he took his seat.

"Emma." He called softly.

She had only been pretending to be sleeping earlier when Alexander had showed up unexpectedly. His eyes had been filled with too much emotion that made her heart ache with emotions she wanted to erase forever once Alexander was involved. She was also desperate to avoid conversations she wasn't ready for. But her act had backfired.

Through her lashes, she had watched Alexander's emotions pour out, raw and unguarded. His gaze had been filled with so much pain, regret, and something else she didn't want to name, something that made her heart ache in ways she didn't want to admit. "How are my twins doing?" She asked. She needed to push Alexander out of her mind, and focusing on her children was the only way she knew how.

"Fine. They will like to see you soon." Jaden replied.

Emma's lips curved into a faint smile.

and Ethan warmed her heart, but she knew she wasn't ready. She could barely speak without wincing in pain, and the last thing she wanted was

the

name pulling her back into the emotions she was desperately trying to suppress. She bit her lip, refusing to

flames, the overwhelming heat. it all felt like a nightmare she couldn't wake up from. And she still found it hard to believe that she had

through his hair. He had hoped Alexander would have told her himself, but it was clear that he hadn't. He has no idea why Alexander has decided not to tell her, but Jaden believes that Emma deserves to know the truth. Jaden pulled out his phone and went online; he clicked on

for a moment, his heart aching at

The video started playing.

with an

She had convinced herself that the memory of his voice calling her name, his arms carrying her, was

Weal. Alexander had openty

years, and

her

and her head throbbed from the intensity of her

the phone

another video that had been captured

standing in

69th floor. His clothes torn and smeared with soot and dirt. In his arms, he carried her unconscious body. His face was pale, his expression a mix of relief and anguish as

risked everything, his safety, his life, to save her. And yet, when he'd come to check on her earlier, he hadn't