Rebirth Of The Heiress And The Tycoon's Lover (Alina) novel Chapter 167

Chapter 167

AUTHOR’S POV.

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‘Does she know?‘ The thought clawed at him, unrelenting.

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He searched her face, waiting, tense, wondering if this had something to do with the phone call she should never have heard.

Alina sat across from Louis, her hands knotted together in her lap. She could see the subtle flicker in his eyes, the quiet calculation behind them, and for a fleeting second, she was tempted to tell him she knew about his ties with Jessica and how she knew that he had been working against her from the shadows. But she forced the thought down.

It was a dangerous move, and she wasn’t stupid.

Instead, she drew in a shaky breath, letting her shoulders slump as if burdened by the weight of her confession.

“Things with Lucian… they aren’t going well,” she murmured, her voice carrying the perfect balance of exhaustion and vulnerability. “I think he wants to break off our engagement.”

Louis’s brows pinched together, though relief flickered in his chest. At least this had nothing to do with the phone call he had exchanged with Jessica. Leaning forward, he softened his voice, pretending to be concerned.

“Why would you think that, Alina? You shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Did he tell you that himself?”

Her lips curved in a bitter scoff, her eyes stinging as she forced tears forward. “No… but I think he’s cheating on me. With Jessica.”

Louis froze for half a beat, then masked his reaction quickly. He reached across the table, his hand brushing lightly against hers as if in reassurance. “You can’t just assume. How do you even know that?”

Alina’s fingers trembled as she reached for her phone. “Because she sent me a video,” She pulled it up, her face twisting as though it physically hurt her to show him. She pressed play, and the screen came alive with the damning footage, Lucian asleep in the background, Jessica draped in his shirt.

Her voice cracked as she whispered, “I think he actually slept with her.”

Louis’s jaw tightened, but he feigned sympathy, leaning closer. “Alina… maybe there’s another explanation. Did you ask him?”

Her lashes fluttered, wet with unshed tears, before finally breaking into sobs. “I tried. I went to his office today… but he refused to see me. He wouldn’t even look at me. And Jessica-“her voice faltered, breaking, she was so smug. She told me I wouldn’t be his fiancée for much longer.”

–

Her shoulders shook as tears spilled freely, her body trembling with a mix of feigned heartbreak and very real disgust at the game she was playing.

Louis stood, moving to her side. His hand rested on her back, rubbing slowly, his voice dropping to a gentle

18:03 Wed, Sep 24

Chapter 167

murmur. “Alina, don’t cry. Please… you don’t deserve this. He doesn’t deserve you.”

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Her skin crawled at his touch, bile rising in her throat, but she forced herself not to flinch. For the plan to work, she had to endure it. She let herself fold into his arms, sobbing quietly against his chest.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice muffled. “Thank you for always being here for me. I just… sometimes I wish it was you I was in love with, not Lucian.”

The words made Louis’s chest swell, a flicker of triumph crossing his expression before he schooled it into tenderness. He cupped her cheek gently, tilting her face toward him.

“I’ll always be here for you, Alina. Whatever you need. You’re a beautiful woman… and Lucian is a fool for not seeing it. If you were mine, I’d treat you the way you deserve.”

Alina’s nails dug into her palm where he couldn’t see. Inwardly, she wanted nothing more than to strangle him for his gall, for every word dripping with deceit. But outwardly, she kept her expression fragile, wounded, perfectly in character.

After a moment, she pulled away, wiping at her damp cheeks.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured, voice trembling. “I shouldn’t have broken down like this in front of you.”

Louis shook his head immediately. “No. Don’t apologize. You don’t have to, not with me.”

Her phone suddenly buzzed on the table, the vibration sharp in the quiet. She glanced down, Talia’s name lit up the screen.

Sniffling, she stood, smoothing her dress. “I should go. Talia’s waiting for me. But… get well soon, okay? I’ll see you in a few days, for the launch.”

Louis followed her to the door, his hand brushing the edge of the frame as he leaned against it. His eyes lingered on her, soft and intent.

“My door is always open to you, Alina. Anytime.”

She forced a smile, her voice quiet but steady. “Thank you, Louis.”

With that, she slipped out, relief washing over her as the door finally closed behind her.

The moment Alina walked a few feet away from Louis’s door, her phone buzzed again with Talia’s name flashing across the screen. She exhaled shakily and picked up.

“Talia,” Alina whispered, her voice unsteady, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. “You have no idea what you just did for me. Your call came at exactly the right time.”

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