Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 93

Emma turned into her apartment complex parking lot, her nerves unraveling at the sight of the paparazzi and fans still milling about outside the gates. Cameras flashed, and excited voices rose as they spotted her car. Her chest constricted in annoyance. Aren't they ever tired?

She was grateful now that she had told Jaden to go back earlier, though he had been reluctant to do so.

She didn't need the tabloids now to start other stories of her and Jaden. Already, the kiss with Alexander had taken too much. space in her head, and she couldn't afford any more chaos. What she needed was time, time to sort out everything that was happening around her, particularly the surge of emotions she had never expected from that kiss.

With a deep breath, Emma stepped out of her car; her heart began racing while paparazzi swarmed around the fence. yelling her name and snapping pictures. She did not even acknowledge their existence, her head down as she moved toward the building. The nagging questions about jaden, Alexander, Adam Hersel's health, and herself filled her ears like some kind. of cacophony from which there was no escape.

The tension did not even case when she entered the apartment Her mother was with the kids in the sitting room, bur Emma didn't stop to greet any one of them. She threw a quick wave and went right into her bedroom, with the door softly shut behind her. The silence of her room was supposed to bring peace, but it didn't. Her mind was a storm, memories and thoughts colliding in a chaotic whirlpool. She could still feel Alexander's lips on hers, the way his hands had gripped her as if letting her go was. unthinkable. She hated that her body had responded, hated that her heart had skipped a beat, hated that it made her question everything she thought she had buried!

But she did not have the luxury to dwell on that, not with everything else going on.

Her phone buzzed on the bed, that unknown number that had been calling all day flashing across the screen. The constant ringing had been gnawing at her patience since the kiss. With an irritated sigh, she reached for the phone and answered, the, sharpness of her voice more than she meant it to be

"Hello!"

There was a brief pause; then, a soft, feminine voice spoke up. "Hello, am I speaking with Mrs. Emma Black?"

Emma's eyes narrowed. "Who is this?"

"This is Jane Manson," the voice said calm but cautious.

The name sent Emma reeling, like a well-placed slap across the face. The memories of that Aurora Honors' night flooded in. clear and incensing. She could still envision the smug face of Jane as she had poured a drink on her clothes, mocking her in front of everybody. That night had been a humiliation, but one that proved to be a godsend for her.

Emma's grip on the phone tightened as she remembered the articles she had read the following morning about Jane's father company suffering a massive stock drop. At the time, Emma had felt a grim satisfaction. Jane Manson had a history of trampling over people for fun, using her wealth and status to shield herself from consequences.

Emma took a deep breath and tried to steady her voice. "What do you want, Jane?"

There was a slight pause on the other end of the line; the stillnes stretched uncomfortably.

"I would like to make an appointment with you," Jane replied, her voice breaking a little despite her best efforts to keep it from sounding composed, her hand clamped tight onto the phone. Weighted upon her chest like an anvil of desperation Things had reeled out of hand since the fateful night, and now were worse than she could have imagined. Her hitherto peffect life had crumbled, and all that was left of the family that hould have stood by her-her father, her mother-turned their backs on her and cut her off completely. 1/2 21:21 Tue, Dec 17

Chapter 93

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Her haven and shield were gone, the social media accounts she so loved. The likes, the comments, and adoration that propped up her fragile ego were all gone, leaving her bare and utterly alone. This call was the last resort, a shameful plea she never thought she'd have to make.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, followed by a scoff. Emma's voice was sharp, slicing through Jane's fragile composure like a blade. "What makes you think I take appointments with uncultured brats like you?"

The words cut like a lash, and Jane felt her pride shrink before the mass of Emma's contempt. Her lips parted, but her throat closed and she could not utter a word. She was beyond control. With a shaking finger, she fumbled for the disconnect button.

Her hand trembled as she stared into the dark screen, suddenly her room felt too quiet. Anger was festering inside her like a hot ember stifling her; she had to let it out. She let out a savage yell, hurling her phone across the room. It shattered against the wall: the sound of breaking plastic and glass through the shocked silence.

She stood there, chest heaving, her vision blurred by tears she refused to acknowledge. What was the point of calling her? she thought bitterly. I should have known better. But desperation had clouded her judgment, leaving her grasping for any lifeline, even one as humiliating as reaching out to Emma Black, the same Emma Black that had been nothing but a pillar of shame since the day Alexander divorced her.

One tear rolled down her cheek, and she furiously rubbed it away, angry at her weakness in front of Emma Black. Her father-the one man who had always been her staunchest ally-had pushed her away with icy finality. And her mother-her mother who had always been in her corner-wouldn't return her calls.

Jane clenched her fists, her nails piercing into her palms as her breathing grew heavier. It was as if the walls closed in. heaving upon her with the weight of her actions. Before her now, she saw the grim end to her once-glamorous life.

Once, she had it all-power, influence, and the blind adoration of millions-now she had nothing: no allies, no refuge. And the hundreds of people she had wronged along the way weren't about to forgive or forget her.

Sliding to the floor, Jane buried her face in her hands, and her tears finally broke free. It was for the first time in her life that she felt the real sting of defeat, much deeper than she had ever #thomed. Her pride had been her fortress, and now it lay in ruins.

And in an instant, there flashed the vision of her parents- expressionless faces with disappointment etched in the eyes. No consolatory words, no reassuring words that all would be well, were forthcoming from them.

Reality hit hard and her breath started coming in ragged gasps.

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