Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 164

Chapter 164

Jaden. She thought.

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She frantically swept her gaze around the hall, taking in each face, every nook, but there was no Jaden. Her heart clenched with unease. Where could he have disappeared?

She fished out her phone from her purse and flicked on the screen. She wanted to dial his number, but something caught her gaze before she could; it was an unread message from Jaden

Her stomach twisted as she opened it, her heart sinking with each word she read.

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“The little time I was lucky enough to spend with you was the best time of my life. I love you so much, Emma, but I know your love is not meant for me. I have foolishly held on to that hope that someday you might feel the same, but after the look you and Alexander shared in the hall today, while you thought no one was watching, it brought me to one conclusion. I need to let you go, to be with the man whom you are supposed to be with. It has been an honor knowing you: Goodbye.’

Emma sighed heavily as she finished rereading the message, and her fingers trembled as she reread the message; her heart ached in ways she hadn’t expected.

Yes, Jaden had always been there for her, his love unwavering, his kindliness unmatched, but he was right; his love for her had always been unrequited, a love she could never fully return.

Tears blurred her vision, overwhelming her with guilt. Jaden deserved a partner who could love him the way he deserved to be loved. But she just couldn’t be that person for him. She had lied to herself for so long, covering her emotions for Alexander under layers of fear and regret. Tonight, though, had shattered those walls.

The way Alexander had looked at her, the raw love and longing in his eyes that seemed to awaken something deep within her.

she was indifferent, that she was finally over him, but she knew now, she’d been living a lie: Alexander was the only one she

with certainty,

locked her phone and looked up at Alexander, who was staring into her concern etched across

eyes

with

eyes scanned her face as

wrong?” he asked softly, his voice

in her fist. Yes, she did plan to tell Alexander about it, but he didn’t need to know that night. Not when there was so much at stake. They had to do everything possible

breath and looked him right in the eye.

go,” she

the engine as they sped through the empty streets. They eventually ended up at Blackthorn Hospital, but Annie was not there.

she went to the other hospital,” he

followed him out. They drove to Annie’s usual hospital, where

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Chapter 164

continued their search, driving from one hospital to another as the night wore

8.

each stop, with every shaking of the head by each receptionist, Emma’s anxiety deepened and Alexander’s frustration

they finally accepted the truth that Annie had run

and disappointed, they had no other choice but

there was no rest waiting for either of them.

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social media, all against Emma. Videos surfaced from the party that captured

was a very wild

one user wrote.

this is how she repays her? By pushing her while

professional response, the damage was racing like a wildfire. The court of public opinion had given its judgment,

was fighting his own battle; he had been calling Annie in repeat with

to be found, and the suspense was killing Alexander. “Kevin,” he thundered into the phone, pacing around his office, “have you found