Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 169

Chapter 169

She had packed a small bag for their outing, and was feeling all sorts of unexplainable emotions.

Soon, she pulled up in front of the estate that belonged to Brianna, her hands clenching the steering wheel tightly as she took a deep, steadying breath.

Brianna’s estate was the most outstanding of them all, with its beautiful landscaping and tall gates.

Her twins, Ethan and Emily, were stuck to the car windows, their wide eyes taking in the awing view. “Wow, Mommy!” exclaimed Ethan. “This place is huge! Does Mr. Handsome live here too?”

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Emma grinned faintly, her heart heavy with emotion. “No, sweetheart, this is where Grandma lives,” she explained, reaching back to gently smooth Emily’s hair. “But he used to live there when he was young.” Memories of those years came surging forth in a wave. Back then, Alexander wasn’t nice to her, but neither did he freeze her out like ice. Things only started to go downhill from the moment Annie appeared.

She hesitated for a moment before stepping out of the car, summoning all her courage for the visit ahead.

She quickly made her way around the car and opened the door for Emily, who was still weak and needed the extra help. But before she could get her out of the car, a figure ran up to them.

A figure she knew so well- Vivian Black. Her face showed nothing, but inside she was bursting with excitement; this was what she had been waiting for. “Emily!” Vivian exclaimed breathlessly as she reached the car.

She reached in and took the little girl in her arms, cradling her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. Emily blinked up at her curiously but did not resist the affectionate gesture.

She pressed a small kiss to Emily’s cheek, the movements almost reverent. Month after month, she had watched the twins from afar and had longed for the chance to be part of their lives. And now here they were: an opportunity she had only dreamed of.

car, having jumped out through the other door, and stood in the driveway, turning circles as he tried to take it all in. “Mommy, can

son’s pure amusement, her heart softened by his innocence. “Let’s visit first, Ethan,” she said as Vivian carried Emily toward the house. As they walked toward the huge entrance, Emma looked in Vivian’s direction. They had

the air was alive and warm, unlike the outside.

support, her movements slow but determined as she made her way toward them weakly. Her face lit

the woman who had been a pillar of strength and love in her life. Brianna wrapped Emma in a soft hug, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them off and held on

of her gratitude and admiration for this woman who’d done so much for her. When Brianna finally released her, she turned to the twins, bending slightly as

Jan 31

Chapter 169

here, my angels.”

if the twins were not his son, she loved them no less; after all, they were Emma’s children, and

a

arms around Brianna in a tight hug. Brianna’s laughter was soft and shaky, tears glinting in her eyes as she held

of her fears and uncertainties melted away

lingering in the background, quickly pulled out her phone and began typing furiously as she

ΑΑΑΑΑ

the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind about Annie’s disappearance and the whole Internet frenzy, Alexander’s phone buzzed, pulling him back to realit. It was a message from Vivian. His heart tightened right away. It rarely happened that Vivian got in touch with him, and each time she did, it was usually

to come

his chest. The tone of the message left no room for misinterpretation. Something was wrong, terribly

a moment, holding the phone in a

Vivian’s

quickened, his

happened that would make her send such a message and not pick

his breath, rising to his feet. Grabbing his suit jacket and car keys from the edge of his