Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 10

Kevin tapped softly on Alexander's office door and stepped inside with a phone in his hand. "Sir..." he started, trying to break into Alexander's intense focus on the screen.

Alexander finally looked up, his expression unreadable and it coldness had become a permanent feature since Emma's disappearance. His eyes were cold and distant, as if nothing in this world could finally get inside the void left by her. "I've just been informed that Mrs. Elizabeth Walker is coming to the Wings of Hope event," Kevin said in a measured tone, awaiting some cold response.

At first, Alexander did nothing. Then, as his brain worked over the name, a flicker of interest danced in his normally lifeless eyes. His fingers stilled on the keyboard. There was a fraught silence in the room. Mrs. Elizabeth Walker? Even Alexander could hardly believe it. For decades, that elusive woman had lived hidden from social life, keeping her private life as far away as possible. Nobody ever saw her unless she wanted them to, and contacting her was virtually impossible; she had full control over her life's and how she live it. But if truly she would attend this event, Alexander could hardly let the chance slip away.

He had been trying for years to get close to Mrs. Walker. If she was stepping out of the shadows for this event, he needed to make use of the opportunity.

He made his mind up in an instant. "I'll be attending the event too."

Kevin let his breath go in a hiss. "Okay, sir. I'll start making the necessary arrangements."

As Kevin left the office, Alexander relaxed back into his chair, his mind no longer on his work but on why Mrs. Elizabeth Walker had suddenly decided to appear in public.

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Emma arrived at the grand hospital of Blackthorn Holdings which was considered the largest in the country in order to oversee the final touches on flower arrangements for the evening. Her company had been assigned the decorations, and though there was a storm of nerves building in her chest, she had prepared meticulously. She was looking absolutely stunning in her blue off-shoulder gown, the puffy design covering her large belly perfectly. The thigh-high slit on the gown gave her freedom of movement with which she could walk without much problem, but more importantly, it subtly camouflaged her pregnancy from all prying eyes. Her face was contoured, each feature deftly molded into a new shape that disguised her appearance. Even her hairstyle was not like her usual look. It was a calculated makeover to maintain anonymity.

As she walked through the hospital, it suddenly struck her how chillingly it reminded her of Alexander's headquarters. Slightly smaller, this hospital brought her mind back to the few rare times she had been to Alexander's office as his wife. Images of long, forgotten time fluttered before her, the time when their lives intermingled in a future they presumably shared.

But those times were gone now. Her heart contracted, and the tears began to well at the rediscovery of the old wounds. Hastily, she wiped them off, refusing to fall apart again. She had come here because she wanted to stop running and start facing her fears and standing tall once again. Crumbling here would do no good.

As the hall began to fill with people, Emma began to breathe. The occasion was officially underway, as billionaires across the nation fluttered in, draped in expensive garb that sparkled at every flash of a camera. She had been to events of such nature many times before, accompanying her father and a couple of times with Alexander when their marriage still held some semblance of unity.

She kept to the edges of the room, far from the limelight. Her goal was to blend in, enjoy the evening without attracting attention. But just as she began to relax, allowing herself a brief moment of ease, her world shattered.

The air stilled around her. Her heart slammed into her chest as her gaze locked on the door. There, strolling into the hall, was the very last person she could have ever have expected to see.

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Chapter 10

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Her breath caught in her throat. He was as striking as ever, commanding the attention of the room by his mere presence, eyes scanning the crowd. Mrs. Hayes had promised that he wouldn't be attending, that he was too busy to show up. But here he was, his gaze sweeping the hall like a predator searching for prey.

Emma's heart quickened, and her panic rose along with it.. She leaned farther back into the shadows, her mind racing. How could this be?! She wasn't ready... for him! Not after working so hard to stay hidden!!!

Then, she saw Alexander wasn't alone. He walked in with none other than Annie, who had this smug, victorious grin on her face, as if some sort of statement towards the world that she had won. The image of Alexander holding Annie's hand was like a dagger twisting in Emma's chest.

She instinctively recoiled a few steps backward. A deluge of emotions was storming inside her mind. How had she not seen this coming?! What was she to do now? Her well-hatched plan to go undercover, to remain at the background, felt as fragile as glass shattering right before her eyes. The very picture of Annie by his side hit her like a slap, a brutal reminder of her failures as his wife.

At that moment, she felt the return of all her insecurities. It seemed that every painful memory of having been junked, thrown away, and betrayed was rewinding in her mind. She had lost Alexander to Annie without much of a fight, and now it was excruciatingly evident how very much Annie had reclaimed her place. Emma's chest strained while she battled for command over her breathing, bracing herself to appear composed and trying not to let overwhelming grief and panic show..

She had convinced herself she could live in the shadows, under the guise of Veronica Moore, forever if need be, It was safer that way, for her, for her babies. But seeing Alexander with Annie was a harsh reminder that her past would never truly leave her alone. No matter how much makeup she wore, no matter what name she used, the ghosts of her former life will haunting her.

Are you alright, young lady?" a frail voice asked, cutting through the spiral of her thoughts. Emma blinked hard and fast, her vision blurred from unshed tears as she turned toward the voice. An elderly woman was standing close by, concern etched into her features. "Breathe. Just breathe."

Emma gasped, trying to steady herself, taking sharp, ragged breaths to regain control.

"Miss Moore? What are you doing here?" the woman asked, her tone laced with familiarity.

Emma froze. How was that possible? She'd been so careful, making up her face, changing her appearance but someone had been able to recognize her. And if this woman had been able to find her out who she was within seconds, it was only a question of time before Alexander or worse, Annie did. There was a surge of panic coursing through her veins.

She turned to get a better look at the woman; a sense of dread began to tighten in her chest. And then it hit her like a bolt of lightning.

"Mrs. Walker?" she whispered, her voice almost inaudible with the shock.

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Chapter 11