SHADOWS OF A FORGOTTEN SPRING - Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Alexander stood at his hotel window, his gaze fixed on the flower shop below, as workers began to show up to start their day. He suspected that Emma wouldn't show but still, he had to see it for himself, to accept the unsettling reality before deciding what his next step was going to be.
Kevin came in, no less haggard than his boss. "I've looked around the area, but she's nowhere to be found, sir." he said in a low tone.
Alexander turned from the window, his eyes sharp with simmering fury. "She couldn't have left the country," he growled low; his voice was barely contained. "I've already informed people at every port, every station. Nothing, no person, no bag is leaving this country by air, road, or SEA without my knowledge."
The word "sea" came out of his mouth bitter in amount he couldn't conceal. Late last night, he had found out that Emma had cloaked in disguise months ago and used the opportunity to slip out of the country as another person named Veronica Moore.
"I have people keeping an eye on her bank accounts too. She isn't escaping me this time around." He as he headed out of the hotel. "She may have friends here who know where she's hiding," Alexander added, heading toward the door of the hotel, his expression one of raw determination. Kevin fell into step behind him as they headed in the direction of the flower shop. Alexander’s jaw clenched as he prepared to confront anyone who could lead him to her.
Just as he reached for the door, someone burst in, sending Alexander sideways in a mad dash. The man did not seem intimidating by the towering figure with whom he almost collided; loud and desperate, he yelled, tearing through the silence of the flower shop. "I need to speak with Mrs. Hayes!"
He was the sort of man Alexander would normally have thrown out without a second glance. But today, Alexander's mind wasn't on such trifles.
"Mrs. Hayes!" he shouted again, and this time, he drew several of the other employees attention.
A woman in her forties came forward, a professional smile. "How may I assist you, sir?
The man's face was creased with frustration. "I'm looking for Veronica," he demanded, in an intense tone. And with the words, Alexander paused and turned around, his gaze locking onto the stranger.
Mrs. Hayes raised an eyebrow. "And who might you be to her, sir?"
"I am her fiancé!" the man exclaimed, in a raw and desperate voice.
Alexander's blood ran cold. His fists bunched, a rage he'd never known before bursting hot in his chest. *Her fiancé?* This was the reason. This was why Emma had let the divorce go through without a word of protest, why she'd disappeared so quick and quiet. *She had another man!*
He took a step forward, tempted to knock the man down then and there, but restrained himself. He needed to know more, to understand the extent of Emma's betrayal.
He seemed quite agitated; his voice was almost breaking. "I need to speak to her. I came back home this morning and saw that our apartment was empty. I don't understand why she did this. Just tell her to come out!"
Mrs. Hayes was patient, but there was a distinguished note of lack of further patience. "Sir, Veronica didn't come to work this morning."
The man's face screwed up in anger. "What do you mean she didn't come to work? I got home to an empty place! Just bring her out here!" His voice was loud and pained. "I want answers."
"Sir, with all due respect, you're disrupting our business," Mrs. Hayes said in firm voice but cool tone. "If you don't leave, I'll be forced to call the police."
"Bring her out here? She has no right to run off with my child!" he shouted, his voice breaking, stormed out with a string of curse rolling out of his mouth.
Alexander stood still, staring as the man vanished onto the street. Emma was pregnant. It was a reality that swirled in his thoughts until it finally registered. She was carrying a child, a child which wasn't his. *She had betrayed him*, not only by running away, but by breaking the very vows they once made. His chest tightened, the anger swirling with a bitterness he just could not contain.
Kevin approached him, still holding his phone. "Sir, they've spotted someone an hour from here. They believe it's Emma."
But Alexander's eyes had gone cold; his face hardened into a grim finality "I don't care anymore," he said, his voice chillingly flat. "Let her be. I've got all the answers I need." And with that, he turned and strode out of the flower shop, never once looking in its direction again.
The moment Alexander entered his sumptuous apartment, he could hardly turn to close the door before Annie flung herself into his arms, streaming tears down her face. She clung to him, tight and trembling; desperation was in her voice.
"Where were you all night?" she cried. "What happened? I was so worried… I called and called, but you didn't answer. How could you just leave like that, without a word?"
Alexander held her, the weight of her emotions pressed against his chest. A part of him ached, an ache that went deeper than he wished to acknowledge. He had been searching for Emma not out of love, he told himself, but out of some sense of obligation, taunted by the thought that she might have harmed herself. She was still his ex-wife, and despite everything, he couldn't shake that concern. But the woman he had chosen, the one he had promised a future to, was right here, raw and vulnerable in front of him. Annie was his world, his plan, his security. She was his answer to a future without Emma.
"I'm back," he muttered, running his fingers through her hair, trying to soothe her. "That's all that matters. I'm here, Annie… I'm here for you."
He reached out and gently lifted her chin. Her tear-filled eyes met his as he leaned down, pressing his lips softly but lingeringly to hers. He'd held back with Annie for months, feeling like something was holding him back. Now, though, with Emma's memory finally moving into the background, there was no reason to resist. This was his life now. Annie was his choice.
Annie's hands slid to his shoulders, her lips warm and insistent against his. He reacted, the kiss deepening as emotions stirred together. They moved into the bedroom, removing the last piece of clothing on them, without conscious thought. He held her close on the bed, allowing their connection to silenced the thoughts that had plagued him throughout the night. He pressed his lips against hers and focused his attention on the woman he had chosen to stand next to.
As he was on top of Annie in the quiet of the room, Alexander promised himself that from now on, he would focus on nobody else but Annie.