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 tI was lucky enough to spend with you was the best tof 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 broughtto 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.

For years, she 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 wanted.

with certainty, There was a heaviness in her chest as she locked her phone and looked up at Alexander, who was staring into her concern etched across it.

eyes with His eyebrows furrowed slightly, and his eyes scanned her face as though sensing something bothering her. "What's wrong?" he asked softly, his voice steady, yet laced with worry.

Emma clasped her phone tightly 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 so that Annie's unborn baby would not suffer because of Annie's stupidity.

She took a deep breath and looked him right in the eye.

"Let's go," she said firmly.

They took Emma's car, its silence punctuated only by the hum of the engine as they sped through the empty streets. They eventually ended up at Blackthorn Hospital, but Annie was not there.

A knot twisted in Alexander's stomach. “Perhaps she went to the other hospital," he said.

Emma nodded wordlessly and followed him out. They drove to Annie's usual hospital, where they received the sanswer 16:07 Wed, Jan 29 OW Chapter 164 They continued their search, driving from one hospital to another as the night wore on.

| 6 8. 32%** The city streets were quiet, and with each stop, with every shaking of the head by each receptionist, Emma's anxiety deepened and Alexander's frustration mounted.

When the first rays of dawn appeared, they finally accepted the truth that Annie had run away.

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

But there was no rest waiting for either of them.

+5 By the tthe 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 defiance, and the exact moment when Annie fell to the floor, clutching her stomach.

It was a very wild narration.

'She's selfish, cruel, one user wrote.

'Annie was there for Emma after the bombing incident, and this is how she repays her? By pushing her while she's pregnant?!" Even as Blackthorn's legal and W2 HOLDINGS teams worked around the clock to draft a professional response, the damage was racing like a wildfire. The court of public opinion had given its judgment, and Emma was the villain.

Alexander was fighting his own battle; he had been calling Annie in repeat with no response.

It was 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?" Kevin burst in, breathless. "We're working on it, sir. We've located the GPS on your car. She drove outside of city limits late last night. We should have her location shortly." Alexander clenched his jaw, staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office. His reflection stared back at him. "It's taking too long," he muttered.

"I know, sir, but we're close. I'll call you the moment we have her Alexander leaned against his desk, his head in his hands. The uncertainty was unbearable. Whether their child was still alive or not, he needed to know. The not knowing was gnawing at him, each second like an eternity. And yet through it all, one thing remained crystal clear in his mind: no matter what happened, he would not let this break him or his relationship with Emma.

He thought of the way she had looked at him last night, her eyes brimming with a raw emotion as she declared she was done running. He thought of the warmth of her hand in his, the way she had kissed him with a fire he hadn't felt in years.

Alexander had only just gotten Emma back, and he could not afford to lose her again, to the media frenzy ton quilt, and most definitely not to Annie again. Picking up his phone, he dialed Erma's number. "Alexander?" she replied on the second ring, her voice soft, yet strained. "Are you okay?" he asked with a clear voice, although his heart was full of concern for her. He had been going through the comments, and most of them were not in support of Emma.

"I am not." For the very first tin her life. She wasn't beating about the bush concerning how she was feeling. They're all callinga monster. I did not push her purposely." 16:07 Wed, Jan 29 O Chapter 164 "You're not a monster," he stated firmly. "Bear with me; it will soon be over." 32% 5 AB Send