Rebirth Of The Heiress And The Tycoon's Lover (Alina) novel Chapter 288

Chapter 288

AUTHOR’S POV.

Talia flinched slightly, realizing her question had landed awkwardly. “Oh… you’re right. Sorry about that,” she murmured, feeling the weight of the moment.

Alina’s usual sharpness softened just a bit, though a subtle sting of hurt still lingered behind her eyes. She inhaled slowly, trying to steady herself. Talia wanted desperately to shift the mood, to find a silver lining amid the turmoil, but she could feel the heaviness clinging to Alina like a shadow.

After a brief pause, Talia decided to guide the conversation toward something lighter. “So… are you looking forward to the party this weekend?” Her voice was gentle, careful, but carried a hint of genuine curiosity. “The one your family’s throwing to announce you as the long-lost heiress of the Evergreen family?”

Alina let out a short, humorless laugh and shook her head slightly. “Not really,” she admitted, her tone tinged with indifference. “I don’t care much about it… but my mom really wants it, so… I guess it’s fine.” Her fingers nervously fiddled with the edge of her sleeve, betraying the reluctant acceptance behind her words.

Talia smiled softly, leaning in a little closer. “But… it could be fun, right? You should try to focus on the good parts. A party like that might be a welcome distraction from everything else going on.”

A faint smile tugged at Alina’s lips, a flicker of agreement shining through the usual sharpness in her eyes. “Yeah… you’re right.”

Encouraged by the small breakthrough, Talia tilted her head, curiosity lighting her face. “So… are you planning to design your own dress for it? Or is your mom picking something out?”

Alina’s smile grew a touch, pride mingling with her characteristic edge. “Mom already hired the best designer in Ravinne to make something for me,” she said with quiet certainty—a small shard of stability amid the chaos surrounding her.

Talia nodded appreciatively, her eyes sparkling with excitement, especially when it came to fashion. “Well… that sounds amazing, doesn’t it?” Her tone brightened, even though the seriousness of their earlier conversation still hung between them.

Alina leaned back slightly, crossing her arms as a soft sigh escaped her lips. “It is… I suppose. Mom wants everything to be perfect, so… I just have to go along with it.” There was a weariness in her voice, but also a quiet resolve.

Without thinking, Talia reached out and lightly touched Alina’s arm. “It’ll be okay,” she said gently, locking eyes with her friend. “And who knows? Maybe it’ll be a little moment of happiness for you, even in all this chaos.”

Alina’s gaze softened, a fleeting warmth washing over her features. “Maybe,” she whispered, though the sharp edge of frustration and unresolved tension still lingered in her eyes.

The party was the last thing on her mind.

Talia caught the subtle shift and smiled. “At least… you won’t be facing it alone,” she said softly but firmly. “You’ve got people around you—people who care. And a little fun won’t hurt once in a while.”

Alina pressed her lips into a thin line, a faint, wry smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “I suppose that’s true,” she admitted, the weight on her chest easing just enough for a brief moment of relief.

“I’m glad you’re here, Talia,” Alina said, shifting in her seat, her gaze steady now. “But enough about me. How are you? How have you been? And… Ace? How’s your relationship with him?”

Talia’s expression softened at the mention of Ace. “Ace is… good. He’s here in Ravinne.”

Alina raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at her lips. “Yeah… I’m sure he is. Ace can’t go anywhere without Lucian. Or rather, Lucian can’t go anywhere without Ace. So… obviously, Ace is in Ravinne.”

Talia chuckled lightly, the sound warm and unburdened. She didn’t want to spoil the moment or deepen Alina’s mood. “Want me to change the subject?” she asked softly, watching her friend carefully.

Alina shook her head, her expression softening just a bit. “No… don’t worry. Tell me about your relationship. I need at least one good piece of news.”

Talia smiled, a small spark of joy lighting her eyes. “Are you sure?”

“You don’t mean that,” Talia said, pressing her lips into a thin line. She understood the depth of her friend’s anger and heartbreak.

She recognized the pride, the fire, and the pain buried in those words—they were not said lightly.

Alina sank back, crossing her arms tightly, jaw clenched. “I do, Talia. I really do. Why won’t he talk to me? Lucian used to be obsessed with me, but now it’s like he doesn’t care at all. I’ve seen him, Talia—he’s gone completely silent on me. He won’t answer my calls, won’t return them. He went from not being able to live without me to shutting me out entirely. Just like that. No effort, no care, no sign that I even cross his mind. So why… why should I keep hoping?” She let the question hang in the air, impossible to answer.

Talia sighed, reaching out to briefly touch her friend’s hand. “I get it,” she said softly. “I really do.”

Alina let out a short, bitter laugh, her eyes flashing with quiet fury. “You get it? I’ve been chasing ghosts, Talia. Trying to fix something with someone who doesn’t even see me. And now, I have to find another ghost… Lucius Stormvale. Pray he’s alive, pray he wants to help, pray that somehow, somewhere, we can fix what’s being forced on us. I’m doing all this so I can be with Lucian. But to what end, huh?”

Talia stayed silent, letting the weight of Alina’s words settle between them. No response was needed. She could see it in Alina’s eyes—the fire, the pain, the determination, the heartbreak all tangled together.

Alina’s voice dropped to a whisper, though it carried an unmistakable steel. “But I will find him. I’ll find him and make this right. No one… absolutely no one will make me marry someone I don’t want to marry. Not my father, not any blood merger, not anyone.”

Talia nodded slowly, her own voice steady. “And I’ll help you. Somehow. We’ll figure it out. Together.”

Alina’s gaze flickered toward her, a faint, fleeting smile touching her lips—fragile but genuine. “I know,” she said softly. “But I’m not doing this for him anymore. Not Lucian. I’m doing this for me.”

Talia leaned back, finally exhaling, a mixture of relief and tension leaving her shoulders. The room felt heavy with unspoken words, pain, and fierce determination, but beneath it all was a fragile, tentative hope.

For now, Alina had her best friend and ally by her side. And that was enough.