Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 164

Chapter 164

Jaden. She thought.

C

3

3

32%2

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.

+5

“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.

had convinced herself 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 ever

with certainty,

she locked her phone and looked

eyes

with

his eyes scanned her

softly, his voice steady, yet

need to know that night. Not when there

breath and looked him right

go,” she

Emma’s car, its silence punctuated only by the hum of the engine as they sped through the empty streets.

she went to the other hospital,” he

drove to Annie’s usual hospital, where they received

Jan 29

Chapter 164

continued their search, driving from one hospital

8. 32%**

city streets were quiet, and with each stop, with every shaking of the head by each receptionist, Emma’s anxiety deepened and Alexander’s

they finally accepted the truth that Annie

disappointed, they had no other choice but to part ways.

waiting

+5

the time the sun was fully up, the world had erupted into chaos. Accusations of every kind were burning up news outlets and social media, all against Emma. Videos surfaced from the party that captured Annie’s harsh words, Emma’s

very wild

one user

and this is how she repays her? By pushing her

damage was racing like a wildfire. The court of public opinion

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

now noon, and still, she was nowhere to be found, and the suspense was killing Alexander. “Kevin,” he thundered into the phone, pacing around his office, “have you found her yet?”