Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 167

Alexander closed his eyes, running a hand through his hair as he let out a heavy sigh. He leaned back into his chair, the weight of the situation weighing heavy upon him. His stomach churned with regret. He never should have handed her the keys to his car. He’d only done it to de–escalate the situation, to prevent her from causing more of a scene. But now, that decision may prove rather costly.

His mind was racing with the possible outcomes of this. Annie was putting her life in danger, and so was that of his unborn child.

As much as he had emotionally shut himself off from Annie, this was a serious issue he couldn’t ignore.

Of course, there was also the media to contend with: one word concerning Annie’s disappearance, and chaos would ensue. Speculation would be off, and those fingers would point directly at him and Emma..

Their names with their twins would be dragged in the mud. The world would portray them as villains.

The world he was building for his family could get ruined, the legacy of his forefathers destroyed.

Alexander leaned forward, his hands gripping the edges of the desk as if trying to control himself. “This doesn’t leave this room,” he said firmly, his voice low but charged with authority. “Make sure the press doesn’t get a whisper of this. Do whatever it takes to keep this quiet.”

Kevin nodded, his expression resolute. “Understood, sir. I’ll double the resources on the search team. We’ll find her

“Great,” Alexander said, but little conviction was in his voice.

and hurried out of the office, Alexander fell back in his

wasn’t found? What if she was but too late for the baby? And what about the aftermath that would certainly come

stop at nothing to find Annie, to know his unborn

ΔΑΛΛΑ

she clicked the link several people had sent her. The video of Brianna defending her started to play, and Emma’s chest tightened with emotion. She hadn’t expected this, not from Brianna, who had been recovering from a health issue and had been so quiet since her return from the hospital. But here she was, standing tall, speaking with unwavering strength, and

like a mom to her–always so protective and ready for a fight on behalf of whatever she believed was right. The depth of Brianna’s love and loyalty finally broke through the barriers Emma

his blocks, and Emily giggling at every wobbly move her brother’s creation was making.

she would be so elated when she finally found out that the grandkids she had often asked Emma about were right here, growing and flourishing. Emma could almost picture Brianna’s face lighting up with joy, the tears that would spill when she held Ethan and

Jan 30 t

Chapter 167

68%

never dared imagine, yet now it replayed in her mind with detail. For the first time, she was able to

a thousand hate comments and false accusations without crumbling. The insults and curses hurt, but with Alexander, they sounded like whispers in the wind. With

into the present. He stood before her with big, inquiring

hair. “Because Mommy’s been busy lately,

go back