Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 163 32% +5 Emma didn't stop. She'd been silenced for far too long, bullied for too many years, but not today. "You want to talk about being chosen? Letremind you of something, Annie. He may have divorced me, but he didn't make the mistake of placing a ring on your finger. Because you don't deserve it. You're not me; you can never be me." That was the final straw. Whatever mask of control Annie had, slipped completely off. Her hands shook as she fisted them at her sides. The humiliation, the anger, the bitter taste of defeat surged inside her, blinding her to everything but her need for retaliation.

She lurched forward, grabbing Emma's wrist with surprising strength. Her nails dug into Emma's skin as her voice trembled with an in unrestrained fury. "Say that again!" Anger flashed in Emma's eyes, she jerked her hand angrily to get her wrist from Annie's grip and the force sent Annie stumbling. "Get your filthy hands off me!" she snapped years of suppressed anger and pain in her voice The unexpected push sent Annie crashing to the floor. Gasps erupted all over the hall as the guests turned to witness the commotion.

Annie clutched at her stomach, eyes wide with pain and shock, as a high-pitched scream tore from her mouth. "Ahh! My stomach! Oh my God!" Emma froze, chest heaving, heart pounding, as a crowd began to form around them, and she just stood rooted there, trying to fathom what happened.

Annie screamed louder, her voice full of anguish and accusation. Tears streamed down her face as she looked up at the crowd.

Emma's blood ran cold. She opened her mouth, her defenses ready, but words would not come. The weight of all the staring eyes, murmurs, and Annie's scream pressed down on her like a suffocating force.

Alexander approached them, his face dark with confusion and concern as he pushed through the crowd toward the two women. His eyes flickered between Annie on the floor and Emma standing above her, her hands shaking, her face white.

"Emma," he said, his voice low.

She turned to him, her eyes appealing for understanding, but before she could say a word, Annie cried again this tlouder, "Alexander! She... she pushed me! She has killed our baby." The room seemed to hold its breath as Alexander's gaze locked onto Emma's. The weight of the moment was unbearable, and Emma could feel her world teetering on the edge once again "I did not push her. It's sgreat big misunderstanding," Emma said, shaking but firm in her denial. Her glanced darted between the crowd and Alexander's piecing glare. Despite the haired that burned in her for Annie, she held no malice for her innocent unborn child. The very idea that she could harm an innocent baby churned her stomach.

Accusatory murmurs burst from around her like wildfire filled with doubt and condemnation, guests pointed their fingers in accusing whispers, others in shock, their mouths ajar. She could feel the weight of all those gazes pressing upon her, yet she would not bend.

Several women ran toward Annie, concern etched on their faces wanting to tend to her till the ambulance arrived. But before anyone could so much as touch her, Annie struggled on to her feet, hands supporting her stomach protectively as if she was trying to protect the life within. Her face contorted into mask of pain while tears streamed unchecked down her face, but she fought off any stretched-out hand.

16:07 Wed, Jan 29 & Chapter 163 +5 "Don't... don't cnear me, Annie rasped out, her voice trembling but sharp enough to hold the crowd off. She stumbled a little, hugging her stomach tighter.

Annie didn't want anyone near her. She couldn't afford getting caught now. She needed the victim card on her side more now. She needed the world to see Emma for who she really was.

She straightened, just enough to meet Emma's gaze, her face twisted in a look of pure venom, streaked with tears. Alexander pushed through the throng of people his face dark and unreadable as he moved toward Annie.

from "Get your hands off me!" Annie shrieked at Alexander, her voice echoing through the hall as she yanked her arm away his grasp. She was angry, her face red with the injustice of it all. His betrayal. "Your car key," she insisted, her tone sharp enough to cut through steel.

Alexander wavered for a second; he wanted to keep her safe. But under her piercing glare, he relented and handed her the key. "Annie, you cannot drive on your own," he muttered softly, yet urgently. "Let's wait for the ambulance. You need to..." "Stop pretending to be concerned," Annie spat, anger and pain choking her voice. "It's sickening. I just heard you tell another woman you love her!" Her words cout like venom, each one stabbing Alexander in the chest. Stunned, Alexander did not utter a word. Suddenly his face narrowed, and his jaw clenched as his eyes darted sideways and fell on Emma, who was standing sfeet away from him.

Annie threw Emma a glance of pure malice, her lips snarling downwards in an ugly sneer. Then, without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed off, clutching her stomach as she walked away.

Alexander's heart was racing within his chest as her words replayed over and over again in his head. Yes, he had told Emma that he loved her, and every word had been true. Still, he wanted to tell Annie in his good time, not like this.

It had gone quiet in the hall now, except for low murmurs among the guests. The energy in the room had flipped from lively to strained. And Alexander could feel their gaze upon him the weight of their curiosity and judgment weighing in like a wave of heat.

Although none of them could dare to approach him directly, the whispers went on relentlessly, their words cold as sknives that cut the air. They had heard Annie's accusations loud and clear, and Alexander knew it would not be long before the gossip began running wild.

"Alexander, you can't just leave her like that," Emma said firmly. The sound of her voice pulled him back into the real world. She reached out, her hand brushing his arm as her gaze searched his. "You need to do something. We need to go after her." 16:07