Rebirth Of The Heiress And The Tycoon's Lover (Alina) novel Chapter 269

Chapter 269

AUTHOR’S POV.

ร(4)

64

5 vouchers

Darkness still pressed around Alina, heavy and suffocating. Yet like before, somewhere within that darkness. faint murmurs began to form, voices that seemed to echo from a distant hallway.

Alina floated closer, her body weightless, until the blackness thinned into flickering candlelight. The world around her sharpened, revealing the familiar marble floor of the Evergreen manor….though smaller, quieter. She realized then… she was back again.

Only this time, she wasn’t watching laughter or play. The air was heavy, somber.

Her tiny four–year–old self stood barefoot in the corridor, clutching her stuffed bunny tightly against her chest. She peeked through the half–open door of her father’s study, her big blue eyes wide with confusion.

“Mommy?” The little girl whispered softly, but no one heard her.

Inside, Luna and Darius were seated close together. Darius stood rigid beside the large oak desk, his hands clenched, eyes stormy with rage and grief. Luna, sitting beside him, looked pale, her hand trembling as she held a letter sealed with the Stormvale crest.

Alina felt her stomach twist as she stepped closer, her childlike self still hiding in the shadow of the door.

“Are you certain?” Luna’s voice cracked. “No one survived?”

Darius’s jaw tensed. His voice was low, restrained, but it quivered with fury. “The entire Stormvale estate was set ablaze, Luna. The guards, the servants… everyone. They found remnants of the family’s crest in the ruins. But Lucian… Lucius’s body wasn’t among the dead.”

Luna gasped, tears filling her eyes. “Oh, Darius… the poor child—”

He slammed his hand on the desk, the sound making even Alina’s small self flinch. “Those bastards didn’t just want them gone. They wanted to erase the bloodline. Whoever did this made sure there would be nothing left

to trace.”

“Who could have done this?” Luna whispered shakily. “The Stormvales had no enemies powerful enough-”

“They had plenty.” Darius’s eyes darkened. “And most of them are still walking free.”

Little Dahlia stood frozen, her tiny fingers gripping the bunny so tightly its ear bent. Her lower lip trembled.

Just then, a familiar figure with similar grey eyes crouched beside her, his dark curls falling into his face. Nine–year–old Damien placed a finger on his lips, motioning for her to stay quiet.

“Shhh,” he whispered. “Don’t let them see us.”

The little girl looked up at him with wide eyes. “What’s happening? Why is Mommy crying?”

Damien swallowed, glancing toward the door again. “Something bad happened, Lia.” His voice trembled

16:06 Thu, Nov 6

Chapter 269

slightly. “To Lucius and his family.”

:

Her small brows furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean?”

( 64)

5 vouchers

He hesitated, his young face trying to stay composed though his eyes gave away his fear. “Their house caught

fire.”

The little girl gasped, clutching her bunny closer. “Is Lucius hurt?”

Damien looked away, his shoulders stiff. “I don’t know.”

“B–but he’ll be okay, right?” she asked again, her voice cracking. “Lucius is strong. He always wins when we play.”

Her brother didn’t answer. His silence said enough.

Tears welled in her big eyes. “I want to see him.”

“You can’t, Lia,” Damien murmured, his own lips quivering. “Papa said the Stormvale home is far away. They’re… they’re looking for them.”

She sniffled, her small voice breaking. “But… what if he’s scared? Lucius doesn’t like the dark.”

Damien closed his eyes, fighting the lump in his throat. “He’s not scared. Lucius isn’t scared of anything.”

The door creaked open suddenly, and both children froze.

Darius stood there, tall and imposing, but there was no anger in his expression, only sorrow. Luna was behind him, her eyes red–rimmed and glistening.

For a long moment, no one spoke.

Then Darius sighed heavily, kneeling down to their height. His hand rested gently on Damien’s shoulder before his gaze fell to little Dahlia.

“You heard us.” He said quietly.

Alina’s small chin trembled, but she nodded. “Is Lucius… gone?”

Luna knelt too, brushing the little girl’s curls back gently. “Sweetheart,” she said softly, her voice breaking, “there was a terrible fire at the Stormvale estate. We don’t know exactly what happened.”

They didn’t want to out rightly tell the kids the estate was blown to bits.

Darius’s voice softened,rare and heavy with grief. “Many people didn’t survive. But…” He hesitated, his throat tightening. “Lucius’s body wasn’t found.”

Dahlia blinked up at him, confused. “So… he maybe fine?”

Her tiny voice carried so much fragile hope that Luna nearly broke down right there. She forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Maybe, darling. Maybe he is.”

“But no one has seen him since that night,” Darius added quietly, his expression dark. “If he’s out there, he’s

alone.”

Tears spilled down Alina’s cheeks. “He’ll be scared,” she whispered. “He doesn’t like to be alone.”

Luna pulled her into her arms, holding her close. “Oh, my sweet girl…” She pressed her lips to her daughter’s head, rocking her gently. “Lucius was very brave, remember? He’ll find a way. We have to believe that.”

Darius looked away, his jaw clenched, trying to hide the emotion burning in his eyes.

Damien stood silently, fists balled at his sides. He didn’t cry…not because he didn’t want to, but because he was trying to be strong like his father. Yet his trembling chin betrayed him.

Luna turned to him, brushing her tears away. “Damien,” she said softly, “you and your sister must stay strong. For Lucius. For the Stormvales.”

He nodded, swallowing hard. “Yes, Mother.”

Alina’s small voice came muffled against Luna’s shoulder. “Can I see him? Please?”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify