Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 157 the

The tension was palpable as Emma moved toward Alexander and Annie, her heart thudding within her chest. The weight of

past weeks weighed heavily upon her, but a bright smile stayed on her face while Jaden walked beside Iter, protectively.

No matter how convoluted things had become between her and Alexander, no matter the thousand unsaid words, the lingering attraction that sparked whenever their eyes met, she couldn't simply ignore him. Were it not for his selflessness, she wouldn't be standing here, celebrating.

Finally reaching him, she did not waste any time in embracing Alexander tightly. The crowd gasped, with murmurs of surprise rippling through it, catching even Alexander off guard with such a sudden and unexpected display.

Emma buried her face against his shoulder, the scent of his cologne washing over her, stirring up a torrent of ernotions she had thought long buried. Her stomach suddenly went into spasms of jitters, racing madly, and her simple plan had been to hug him briefly, a polite, fleeting gesture. But with each passing second, she found herself unable to let go.

Her heart was racing, thundering against her rib cage, and that old ache stirred deep inside. The memories of the night they had shared flooded into her mind unbidden and overwhelming. She could almost hear the soft, seductive words he had whispered to her that night, the words had left her breathless back then and still has a very strong effect on her now.

He had been drunk, yes, but there was tenderness to his touch, a passion that she had stupidly begun to believe was real.

Her body betrayed her now, responding to the proximity of his warmth, the strength of his arms as they hesitated for only a moment before wrapping around her waist. Alexander's touch sent a jolt through her, and she felt his breath, warm against her hair, as he inhaled deeply.

so hard to suppress came rushing back, crashing over her in

slightly on her waist. The world was slowly fading, along with them, the noise of the crowd becoming just

around her shoulders, pulling her partly away from Alexander. The moment had shattered like fragile glass, and she turned her head to see Annie standing there, her radiant smile as sharp as a dagger, her eyes glinting with

you." Annie said in

turn away. She knew she should feel proud of herself for maintaining her composure, but deep down, her heart ached with the weight of what she wished she

distance she was putting between herself and Alexander. Her mind raced, replaying the moments they shared, the undeniable connection that still lingered between them despite everything. But she felt she was moving too fast,

His silence spoke volumes.

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had really embrace the idea of their future together, then shouldn't he have bellowed it from the rooftops to the whole world? He didn't. Instead, he

reality. He might have risked his life to save her. He might have felt the sting of betrayal upon learning the truth about their children. But none of that changed the

And it wasn't her.

It was Annie.

much Alexander might care for their twins and even herself, they would always be second to Annie and her baby. Emma clenched her fists at her sides, forcing herself to keep going, even as her heart begged