Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 163

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Emma didn’t stop. She’d been silenced for far too long, bullied for too many years, but not today. “You want to talk about being chosen? Let me remind you of something, Annie. He may have divorced me, but he didn’t make the mistake of placing a ring on your finger. Because you don’t deserve it. You’re not me; you can never be me.”

That was the final straw. Whatever mask of control Annie had, slipped completely off. Her hands shook as she fisted them at her sides. The humiliation, the anger, the bitter taste of defeat surged inside her, blinding her to everything but her need for retaliation.

She lurched forward, grabbing Emma’s wrist with surprising strength. Her nails dug into Emma’s skin as her voice trembled with an in unrestrained fury. “Say that again!”

Anger flashed in Emma’s eyes, she jerked her hand angrily to get her wrist from Annie’s grip and the force sent Annie stumbling. “Get your filthy hands off me!” she snapped years of suppressed anger and pain in her voice

The unexpected push sent Annie crashing to the floor. Gasps erupted all over the hall as the guests turned to witness the

commotion.

Annie clutched at her stomach, eyes wide with pain and shock, as a high–pitched scream tore from her mouth. “Ahh! My stomach! Oh my God!”

heart pounding, as a crowd began to form around them, and she just stood rooted there, trying

of anguish and accusation. Tears streamed down her face as she looked up at

opened her mouth, her defenses ready, but words would not come. The weight of all the staring eyes, murmurs, and

he pushed through the crowd toward the two women. His eyes flickered between Annie on the floor and Emma standing above her, her

said, his voice

eyes appealing for understanding, but before she could say a word, Annie cried again this time louder, “Alexander! She… she pushed

The weight of the moment was unbearable, and Emma could feel her world teetering on

denial. Her glanced darted between the crowd and Alexander’s piecing glare. Despite the haired that burned in her for Annie, she held no malice for her innocent unborn child. The very idea that she could harm

doubt and condemnation, guests pointed their fingers in accusing whispers, others in shock, their

Annie struggled on to her feet, hands supporting her stomach protectively as if she was trying to protect the life within. Her face contorted into mask of pain while tears streamed unchecked down her face, but she

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Chapter 163

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her voice trembling but sharp enough to hold the crowd

victim card on her side more now. She needed the world to see

streaked with tears. Alexander pushed through the throng of people his face dark and unreadable as

Annie shrieked at Alexander, her voice echoing through the hall as she yanked her arm away his grasp. She was angry, her face red with the injustice of it all. His betrayal. “Your car key,” she insisted, her tone sharp enough

But under her piercing glare, he relented and handed her the key. “Annie, you cannot drive on your own,” he muttered softly,