Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 148

Chapter 148 Chapter

148

And in no time, days slipped by, and it had already been one month since her admission to the hospital. Every day brought small victories. Her steps were now steadier, her voice stronger, but her heart was still heavy.

But despite her progress, she and Alexander had hardly spoken. The only time they'd exchanged words was on the day she woke up, and even then, the conversation had been short, heavy with all that was left unsaid. She'd seen him a few times in the hallways, their eyes meeting for brief moments before they both looked away, lost in the tangled web of their history.

She had so much to say to him, but not in front of everyone. What Alexander had done for her deserved more than a passing acknowledgment, more than a simple "thank you" text she had often drafted but never sent.

She had been following him quietly for nights now, as he made his way to the rooftop, lost in his thought.

He would always stay there for hours and then go back to his room.

Once, she had almost approached him. She had taken tentative steps forward, but her courage had faltered, and she had retreated.

Tonight, though, was different. Emma had made up her mind.

She waited until Jaden had left for the night, his usual words of caution ringing in her ears.

Then she snuck out of her room, determination etched in her features. The elevator ride to the rooftop felt like forever, her heart pounding in her chest. And finally the doors swung open and she stepped out into the cool night with the stars twinkling overhead like so many silent witnesses.

Of course, Alexander was there, top, in his usual seat, looking up at the sky but he was obviously lost in his thought.

She walked up to him softly. When she was close enough, he finally noticed her, his surprise evident for a split second before his features settled into the same guarded expression she had grown used to.

"Emma," he said, his voice low and even:

She took a deep breath, her heart hammering in her chest. "Alexander," she began, her voice shaking a little and her words rolling out slowly. "I don't even know how to start this. I wanted to thank you for everything, for trying to save me even after... even when we can barely manage to stand in each other's presence. You gave me another chance at life, and words will never cover the amount of gratitude. I would forever be grateful, and all I know is that with time, hopefully somehow, maybe one day that I would be repaid in kind." Alexander's gaze held hers, his cold, distant expression softening in a way that took her breath away. His eyes, so often hard and unyielding, now carried an emotion she couldn't name.

"I didn't do it for you to feel indebted to me," he said softly.

Emma opened her mouth to answer, but he delicately cut her off. "I did it because I knew you would have done the same for me."

The words hit her like a tidal wave. She swallowed hard, looking away, unable to meet his gaze any longer. Deep down, she knew he was right, no matter how painful their past was, she would have risked everything for Alexander Black without so much as a second thought.

"You don't kn-"

she began, shaking her voice, but he cut her off once more, the tone changed.

"How do

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you

feel now?" he asked, his eyes running over her as if to confirm she really was all right.

09:17 Mon, Jan 13 BG.

Chapter 148

Emma blinked at the unexpected turn of conversation. "Better," he replied in a soft voice. "And you?"

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He nodded, letting his gaze wander away, clenching his jaw. For long moment, the silence fell between them, strained from all that remained unspoken.

Over the past one month, Alexander had tried to push thoughts of the twins out of his mind, but it refused to be silenced.

He had missed more than four years of their lives, years he never could get again. No matter how hard he tried to focus on the present, the regret gnawed at him

Emma began to turn and leave, but his voice, sharp and weighted with pain, stopped her in her tracks.

"When did you plan to tell me about them?"

She froze, her heart jumping to her throat. Slowly, she turned to face him, keeping her expression neutral. "About who? e turned to race him, keeping her expression neutral. "About who? Alexander took a deep breath, his shoulders hunching and falling as if the weight of he was about to say was almost too great to bear. He stood up, his face in that painful mixture of sadness and betrayal. "Our twins."

Emma's knees buckled, and her throat went dry suddenly; her lips trembled with words she couldn't utter. "I don't kn..."

"You don't know what I'm talking about?" Alexander cut in, the edge to his voice razor-sharp, bitter. "I know you hate me, Emma, but I didn't think you hated me enough to keep something like this from me."

Her breath hitched, her mind racing as she tried to piece together how he could possibly know. "Who told you?" she whispered.

Annie wouldn't have told him, Emma was certain of that. Only a few knew about her kids, and not one of them would rat on her.

Alexander's gaze pinned hers with a pain that twisted in her gut. You did," he said to her.

"What?" she mumbled, perplexed.

"In the fire," he explained, coming toward her, his voice shaking with emotion. "You were delirious, hardly conscious, but you said it. And when I heard those words, it all clicked into place. I've already taken a DNA test. It's done, Emma. I know now."

Her world crashed onto her in that second. Her big secret was out, the one she struggled so hard to protect. Her worst nightmare stared her right in her face, Alexander taking her kids away from her. She was thankful for all he did to save her life, but if it meant losing her twins, she would have rather have perished in flames.