Rebirth Of The Heiress And The Tycoon's Lover (Alina) novel Chapter 323

**Collapsed 323**

**Chapter 323**

**AUTHOR’S POV.**

As the polished vehicle came to a halt at the Evergreen private airstrip, Alina emerged, her heart a heavy stone and her mind swirling with a tempest of feelings. The day had stretched on endlessly; it was not merely long but an emotional odyssey that had left her utterly exhausted. Each step she took felt laborious, as if she were trudging through a thick haze of sorrow and uncertainty.

At the base of the jet’s steps, Talia stood, her figure assertive as she engaged in a brief conversation with one of the pilots. Yet, the moment Talia’s eyes met Alina’s, she broke free from her prior engagement, rushing down the steps with an urgency that spoke volumes of her concern.

The airfield was steeped in an unsettling quietness, the sun hanging low on the horizon and casting elongated shadows that seemed to dance mockingly across the tarmac. The distant roar of engines resonated ominously, amplifying the tension that crackled in the air around them. Alina felt her heart race, her palms nervously twisting together as she fought the overwhelming urge to crumble under the weight of her mounting anxiety.

Talia reached her side, her expression a mixture of worry and determination.

“Hey,” she said softly, her voice slicing through the chaos that swirled in Alina’s mind like a warm embrace in a winter storm.

Alina’s throat tightened painfully, a lump forming as she struggled to find her voice. “Please… just promise me you’ll come back soon.” The words spilled forth, tinged with desperation and fear.

Without hesitation, Talia enveloped her in a fierce embrace, one that felt like a lifeline thrown into turbulent waters, squeezing the breath from Alina’s lungs and anchoring her amidst the storm of emotions threatening to swallow her whole.

“I will,” Talia whispered, her voice steady and reassuring, a balm to Alina’s frayed nerves. “Don’t worry, okay? As soon as I find something… anything… I’ll be back.”

Alina clung to her, burying her face in Talia’s shoulder, seeking solace in the warmth and comfort that her presence provided. The mere thought of losing Talia, even for a fleeting moment, felt like the universe was stripping away her last layer of protection.

“I don’t want you to go,” Alina murmured, her voice quaking as she fought back tears that threatened to spill over. “I just… I can’t face being alone right now.”

“I know,” Talia replied, her hand gently rubbing Alina’s back in soothing circles. “I understand, Alina. But I need to do this. I can’t gather any information from Ravinne City; I have to be in Elaris for real answers.”

“Then please, come back quickly,” Alina whispered, her grip tightening around Talia as if she could physically prevent her from leaving.

“As quickly as I can,” Talia promised, leaning back just enough to meet Alina’s gaze. “And you… please… stay safe. Don’t do anything reckless.”

Alina nodded, though the tightness in her chest made it difficult to breathe.

Talia pulled her in for one last embrace—strong and lingering—before gently stepping back and making her way toward the plane’s steps. Alina watched, her heart sinking deeper with each step Talia took away from her.

At the top of the stairs, Talia paused, turning back to offer a small wave before disappearing inside the jet.

The moment Talia was out of sight, something within Alina shattered.

She inhaled shakily, her heart racing, and turned away, feeling the weight of despair settle over her like a heavy cloak.

A group of Evergreen bodyguards stood near the sleek black SUV, their presence a stark reminder of Darius’s lack of trust following her earlier outburst. The guards were a clear indication that escape was not an option.

With a determined effort, she forced her legs to move toward the car.

The driver opened the door with a courteous bow, his demeanor professional. “Where to, Miss Evergreen?”

“Home,” she replied quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Just… take me home.”

Her heart wasn’t in the mood for conversation. She didn’t want to engage with anyone.

—

The drive was enveloped in silence, thick and suffocating, as the landscape outside blurred by in a haze of greens and browns. Each passing moment felt like an eternity, the quiet amplifying her inner turmoil. When they finally arrived at the Evergreen manor, Alina stepped out, her heart heavy as she made her way toward the entrance.

But just as she approached the grand door, a figure stepped directly into her path.

Cassian Voss.

Or Lucius Stormvale.

Or whatever identity he had chosen to adopt today.

Alina halted abruptly, her expression cooling instantly, a frosty mask slipping over her features. Her heartbeat quickened, not from fear but from a simmering irritation that threatened to boil over.

He stood there, unnervingly calm, as if he had been waiting for this moment, anticipating her arrival.

With a slight lift of her chin, she declared, “Get out of my way.”

“No,” Cassian replied, his stance unwavering. “We need to talk.”

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