**Collapsed 322**
**Chapter 322**
**AUTHOR’S POV.**
As Luna softly shut the door to Alina’s room, a wave of urgency crashed over her, propelling her forward with a heart that raced like a wild stallion. The instinct to confront Darius felt primal, almost instinctual, as she sensed the storm brewing within their family dynamics. Darius was already striding purposefully down the corridor, each step resonating with a determination that felt like a desperate escape from the very thoughts that tormented him—thoughts that could unravel the delicate fabric of their lives.
With every echoing footstep, Luna’s anxiety intensified, a tempest of emotions swirling within her, urging her to close the gap between them. Each stride felt heavy, as if the weight of their shared history pressed down on her shoulders, amplifying the reality of their precarious situation.
Trailing just behind, Damien stood as a silent observer, caught in a whirlwind of frustration and helplessness. His fists were clenched tightly at his sides, nails digging into his palms, a physical manifestation of his inner turmoil. He was acutely aware that confronting Darius in this charged moment could ignite a firestorm of conflict, one that might engulf them all.
Finally, gathering her courage, Luna steadied her breath, though it escaped her in a shaky whisper. “Darius…” she called out, her voice trembling with emotion. “Does this marriage truly have to happen?”
Without breaking his stride or casting a glance in her direction, he continued forward, his determination unyielding.
“It’s been so many years,” she pressed on, her voice cracking slightly under the weight of their shared past. “Darius… it doesn’t matter anymore.”
At her words, Darius came to an abrupt halt, his body tense as he turned slowly to face her. In that moment, their eyes locked, and Luna caught a glimpse of the raw pain flickering in his gaze—a pain that suggested her words had struck a long-buried wound, one he had tried desperately to keep hidden.
“Don’t act like you don’t understand what’s at stake,” Darius replied, his voice steady yet tinged with an unmistakable hurt. “Alina and Damien were too young to grasp the implications back then—” His gaze flickered momentarily toward their son before returning to Luna, “—but you know what this means for both our families.”
A lump formed in Luna’s throat, and her breath hitched. “I understand it all too well,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, heavy with emotion. “But we just found Alina. Can’t you see that if you proceed with this, we risk losing her all over again?”
Darius exhaled sharply, his gaze drifting away as if her words were too painful to confront. “Luna—”
“No,” she interjected, stepping closer, desperation lacing her voice. “You keep insisting it’s for the merger, for the agreement… but she doesn’t want this. She’s terrified, Darius. She woke up screaming just the other night.”
Darius’s jaw tightened, a muscle twitching with suppressed emotion. “It doesn’t matter what she says right now.”
Luna’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What?”
This time, he met her gaze squarely, unwavering. “It doesn’t matter whether Alina wants to. She will marry Lucius, whether she likes it or not.”
Damien inhaled sharply, his fingers twitching at his sides, an instinctive urge to lash out at the wall or anything that could absorb his pent-up frustration. Luna’s expression crumbled into disbelief, her heart racing with indignation.
“Darius,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, “is this truly about the merger? Or is there something else lurking beneath the surface?”
For a fleeting moment, he remained silent, the air thick with unspoken thoughts. His breathing was slow and heavy, as if the enormity of his burdens had become too much to bear.
He stepped closer, raising his hands to gently cup her face, a gesture that spoke volumes of their shared history and love, even amidst the chaos. She leaned into his touch, despite the anger swirling within her; their bond was deep-rooted and enduring.
“This is for Alina’s good,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Everything I’m doing… it’s for the welfare of this family.”
Luna’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “But it doesn’t feel that way,” she whispered, her heart aching.
“It may not seem that way now,” he replied, brushing his thumb tenderly along her cheek, “but in time, it will.”
Her breath hitched. “Darius…”
He continued, his tone earnest, “I would never do anything to intentionally harm Alina. She is my daughter. All I want is for her to be safe, protected, and happy.”
Luna stepped back from his hands, shaking her head in disbelief. “But can’t you see that you are hurting her? Can’t you see the damage this is causing? We both know who truly makes her happy. We both know who she longs to be with.”
In an instant, his expression hardened, a wall of resolve slamming down between them.
“That is never going to happen,” Darius declared firmly. “She cannot be with Lucian Blackwood.”
Luna stared at him, her heart aching with disbelief and sorrow. “And what if she had married Lucian before we found her? What then? Would you have forced her to divorce him? To shatter her heart because of a contract signed years ago?”
He remained unmoved, his resolve unyielding. “Well, it’s fortunate we managed to halt the wedding before they exchanged vows.”
Damien placed a gentle but firm hand on her shoulder, the first touch between them since Alina had collapsed earlier.
“He’s wrong,” Damien said quietly, his voice strained with emotion he struggled to contain. “But… you know Dad. Once his mind is made up…”
Luna nodded slowly, the weight of their predicament settling heavily on her. “I know.”
They both stared in the direction Darius had vanished, the air thick with unspoken fears.
A storm was brewing… and this time, it wasn’t raging outside their home.
It was brewing within.
Within their family.
Within their daughter.
Within the man who had once vowed that everything he did was rooted in love, not destruction.
**Conclusion**
In the aftermath of their confrontation, Luna and Damien stood together, united in their shared anguish and fear for Alina’s future. The gravity of Darius’s decision hung heavily in the air, a palpable reminder of the rift that had formed between them. Luna’s heart ached not only for the daughter they had just found but also for the man she once knew so intimately, now seemingly lost in the shadows of his own convictions. She felt the weight of history pressing down on her, the legacy of old promises threatening to overshadow the love that had once bound their family together. As she gazed down the corridor, where Darius had disappeared, she realized that the battle was not just for Alina’s happiness but for the very soul of their family.
Damien, sensing his mother’s turmoil, tightened his grip on her shoulder, a silent vow to stand by her side as they navigated the treacherous waters ahead. Together, they faced an uncertain future, one fraught with the potential for heartbreak and division. Yet, amidst the chaos, a flicker of resolve ignited within Luna. She knew that love, even when tested, could be a powerful force for change. With Damien beside her, she felt a renewed determination to fight for Alina’s happiness and to challenge the decisions that threatened to tear them apart. They would not allow the past to dictate their present or future; they would confront the storm brewing within their family, ready to reclaim the bonds that had once brought them joy.
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension within the family reaches a boiling point, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the emotional turmoil that has gripped Luna, Damien, and Darius. With the stakes higher than ever, readers can anticipate a confrontation that will force each character to confront their deepest fears and desires. Luna’s desperate plea for Alina’s happiness will echo louder as she grapples with the consequences of Darius’s unwavering resolve. Will she find the strength to challenge her husband’s authority, or will she succumb to the weight of tradition and obligation?
Moreover, the arrival of Cassian introduces a new dynamic into the already fraught atmosphere. His presence may serve as a catalyst for change, igniting further conflict or perhaps offering a glimmer of hope for Alina’s future. Will he side with Darius, reinforcing the impending marriage, or will he align with Luna and Damien in their quest to protect Alina from a fate she fears? As the family’s secrets begin to unravel, readers should prepare for revelations that could alter the course of their lives forever. The emotional stakes are set to escalate, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover whether love can truly conquer the shadows of the past.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Rebirth Of The Heiress And The Tycoon's Lover (Alina)