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. Handslive here too?" +5 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 csurging 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.

Ethan was already out of the 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 we live here, too?!" he shouted, his little arms waving as he pointed at the mansion towering above.

Emma couldn't help but chuckle at her 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 remained at odds for syears now, hardly talking to each other until about a couple of weeks ago when things gradually softened.

Inside, the air was alive and warm, unlike the outside.

Brianna, informed of their visit by one of her workers, was awaiting their arrival in the sitting room, She stood by the wall for support, her movements slow but determined as she made her way toward them weakly. Her face lit up upon their entrance. She was genuinely joyful.

"Emma, "Brianna said, opening her arms wide with emotion. Emma wasted no time, rushing forward to embrace 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 to this beautiful moment.

"You came," Brianna whispered, shaking, her voice breaking. "And you brought them." Emma nodded, words impossible to express the depth 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 her poor knees would permit, opening her arms to them. "C14:57 Fri, Jan 31 Chapter 169 here, my angels." Even if the twins were not his son, she loved them no less; after all, they were Emma's children, and Emma was like daughter to her.

a With Emma's gentle encouragement,, Ethan and Emily stepped forward, throwing their small arms around Brianna in a tight hug. Brianna's laughter was soft and shaky, tears glinting in her eyes as she held them close.

Emma stood back, her heart full as she watched the scene unfold In that one momet, all of her fears and uncertainties melted away and were replaced with a sense of belonging and hope.

Meanwhile, Vivian, who had been lingering in the background, quickly pulled out her phone and began typing furiously as she walked out of the living room.

ААААА Still lost in the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind about Annie's disappearance and the whole Intefrenzy, 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 tshe did, it was usually in a case of emergency. He opened the message, clenching his jaw.

'You need to chnow! He reread the words as his heart began to pound wildly against his chest. The tone of the message left no room for misinterpretation. Something was wrong, terribly wrong.

He sat frozen for a moment, holding the phone in a death grip that turned his knuckles white.

Taking a deep, shaky breath, Alexander dialed Vivian's number but there was no answer.

His pulse quickened, his frustration mounting.

Why wasn't she picking up? What could have happened that would make her send such a message and not pick her calls? "Dammit," he muttered under his breath, rising to his feet. Grabbing his suit jacket and car keys from the edge of his desk, he stormed toward the door.

Just as he reached it, there was a knock, and his secretary stepped in, a stack of files clutched in her hands. “Sir, I..." "Drop them," Alexander snapped, cutting her off without even sparing her a glance. “I'll handle it later.”

His secretary face turned pale at his cold voice, but she wisely stepped by stepped aside as he brushed past her. His usual composed demeanor was cracked, and his movements becrushed as he walked down the hall.

Each step felt heavier than the last. His mind was racing with worry, yet his face gave nothing away.

The polished, cold exterior that Alexander had perfected over the years was as cold as ever, even as insides his ve and his insides churned with dread. He couldn't shake the terrible thought that had gripped him the moment he read Vivian's message. What if it was about his mother?

She was fragile and weak, but to even think of her leaving this world m slipping away without him by her side, was almost too much to bear.

Driving hseemed to take an eternity, even as he pushed the speed limit.

14:57 Fri, Jan 31 OMG.

Chapter 169 His fingers drummed restlessly on the steering wheel, his jaw clenched so tightly until it ached.-