Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 9

Mrs. Hayes' face turned into a frown, concern etched on her brow. "But you've earned this, Veronica. Why would you...."

Emma forced a small smile, though her heart felt heavy. "I'm just a new employee, and going to such an event will just piss off so many of my coworkers who have been here for years. It's better if one of them represents us at such an honorable event." Mrs. Hayes stared at her, incredulous, her face unreadable. She had gone out of her way to submit Emma's name, fully believing she deserved this opportunity. And now Emma was rejecting it.

"Veronica, this isn't just an invitation. It's recognition for all your hard work," Mrs. Hayes pressed softer, her voice gentling in an attempt at understanding. "You deserve to be there."

But Emma couldn't. She could barely breathe just thinking about it.

With trembling hands, Emma raised the letter and handed it back. "I am indeed very sorry for refusing such an honorable offer," she whispered. And without waiting for an answer, Emma turned to leave the office; the beating of her heart was almost wild.

She let out a shaky breath the second she stepped into the hallway, placing a hand to her chest as if to quiet the storm raging. inside her. To be in the same room as Alexander and to see him again was too much to bear. She could already envision it, his piercing gaze finding her across the room, the cold detachment in his eyes. He would regard her as if she were nothing, as if the life they had shared had been a momentary lapse.

The months apart had done nothing to mend the damage he left behind. If anything, the wounds had deepened, festering in the silence of long, lonely nights. Emma hadn't healed. She'd learned to survive with the pain, to bury it deep, to pretend the hurt wasn't important anymore.

But now, the thought of Alexander in the same city... of being in the same room, even for a brief moment, was too much. The memories, the heartbreak-it was all too raw, too fresh. How could she stand there, pretending everything was fine, when just the sight of him would tear her open all over again?

She had not slept since she heard the news. Every time she closed her eyes, she could envision his face, the sound of his voice, and just how dismissively he had sent her away that night. His betrayal still haunted her, and she knew with absolute certainty that with but a glimpse of him, all those emotions she struggled to bury would rush in again, threatening to drown her.

Emma wriggled on the bed, her eyes shut tight in a bid to stem the tears. She had made her choice. She couldn't face him, event, nothing was worth the not now, not ever. And as much as Mrs. Hayes seemed to believe she deserved to attend that risk of seeing Alexander again-especially nowthat she was pregnant. Emma had vowed never to let him know. She has promised herself that she would do everything possible to keep him away from her babies. She couldn't afford for him to take the children away from her or immerse them again into his world, with Annie playing mother to her kids. The mere thought of that sent bile up her throat.

That night, Emma lay in bed, her heart racing as fear racked her thoughts of being found. She clutched her stomach protectively, whispering silent promises to her unborn children. Alexander could never know; she had been careful for so long, building her life far from him. The last thing she wanted now was for her carefully constructed world to crumble.

The next morning, she started her job as if nothing had happened the day before, putting on a mask of calm.She perhaps hoped Mrs. Hayes would let the matter drop and find someone else for the event. But as the hours passed, Emma's heart sank when Mrs. Hayes called her into the office again, her tone gentle but insistent.

"Veronica, I don't understand," Mrs. Hayes said, concern lacing in her eyes. "Why would you pass up such a great opportunity? It is so unlike you

Emma swallowed, feeling cornered. Her mind began to race as she tried to come up with an excuse. Slowly, she opened her mouth in search of a lie that would work: "I've heard. rumors about the CEO of Blackthorn Holdings. They say he hates pregnant women. I do not want to risk upsetting him and putting our company in danger."

12:47 Tue, Dec 17 ti G.

Chapter 9

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Mrs. Hayes raised an eyebrow, then laughed incredulously, throwing her head back. "Is that why you declined the invitation?

you've heard of Alexander Black?"

Because of what?

At the mention of his name, Emma's heart skipped a beat, and she nodded her head, her eyes cast downward. "He's, well, he's known to be difficult," she whispered.

"Of course he's difficult. From everything I have heard, the man's an absolute nightmare to deal with." Mrs. Hayes sat back in her chair, shaking her head. "But from what my superior told me, Alexander Black isn't even attending the event. He's too busy with his empire to bother with parties. You have nothing to worry about, Veronica. Go, enjoy yourself."

Emma's heart skipped a beat. He wasn't going? Relief washed over her, but only for a moment. Even though Alexander would not be there, his people would be. They could still recognize her if she was careless, which she couldn't afford. Yet, standing in front of Mrs. Hayes with no more excuses left, she found herself nodding in agreement.

"Okay," she whispered, a word strange to her lips.

Mrs. Hayes beamed with satisfaction, delighting in the moral decision made by her charge. "That's the spirit. It'll be good for you. You've earned this, Veronica."

Emma walked out of the office, and a thousand thoughts hit her mind once more. The relief was gone in a matter of seconds. It wasn't like Alexander's employees knew her that well; she sought to reassure herself. A little makeup, another hairstyle-perhaps she could go unnoticed. They would not know her. She could be invisible, just like she had been for all these years.

She forced a smile as the idea took shape. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea after all. Maybe this was her chance to prove she could live her life without fear of him.

But subconsciously, she knew-one wrong move, one glance too long-and her secret, so well kept for such a long time, could unravel right in front of her eyes. SEND GIFT

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Tue, Dec 17 oti G