Rebirth Of The Heiress And The Tycoon's Lover (Alina) novel Chapter 196

Chapter 196

AUTHOR’S POV.

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As they were talking, the phone on Lucian’s desk vibrated, a sharp intrusion into the quiet rhythm of the meeting. He let the screen flash once, thumb hovering over the silence button, intent on not letting business be interrupted.

Damien’s eyes flicked to the caller ID and, with a small, almost amused smile, nodded. “Go ahead, Take it.” He said lightly.

Lucian studied him a beat, surprised at how unconcerned Damien was about a personal call in the middle of negotiations. He surrendered the pretense of restraint and tapped the screen. “Doll?” He answered, voice clipped but softer than the tone he used across the table.

On the line, Alina’s voice came through, breathless and a touch whiny. “Where are you? Aren’t you coming for lunch? You said you’d be here.”

Lucian glanced at the clock, indeed, time had slipped. He stood, pacing one slow step, then turned back to the desk. “I’m sorry, love. The meeting ran over. I’ll be there as soon as we finish. I promise I’ll make it up to you.” His apology was genuine, every syllable measured.

Damien leaned forward, amusement in the angle of his mouth. He clipped the air with a teasing remark in a casual cadence, “We can continue this meeting another day. You shouldn’t keep a hungry woman waiting.”

Alina’s laugh on the line made Lucian’s jaw tighten a fraction. “Is that Damien?” She asked, incredulous.

“Yes,” Lucian admitted, still watching Damien. “I’m with him right now.”

There was a beat of static and then Alina’s voice softened, quick and quietly grateful. “Tell him I say thank you for his help at the mall the other day. I appreciate it.”

Lucian’s brow drew together in confusion. “He helped you with what?” he started, but Alina was already humming a closing note. “I’ll be waiting for you baby. Hurry.” The call clicked off.

Lucian set the phone down slowly, turning to Damien with a look that mixed curiosity and the first flush of something like possessiveness. “You met my fiancée at the mall?” He asked, the question flat but edged.

Damien straightened his cuff, resting his palms on his knees. “Yes,” he said smoothly. “I helped her with a few decisions. Nothing to brag about, she knows what she wants.” He gave a small, polite incline of the head. He didn’t add detail, he had no wish to ruin whatever surprise was in motion.

Lucian felt the prickle of jealousy, a subtle heat beneath the skin. “Email me your availability for the next meeting,” Damien added, standing. “We’ll pick this up next week.”

“Will do.” Lucian replied automatically, watching him gather his things.

Damien paused in the doorway, looked back once with an unreadable expression, and left.

Once the door clicked closed, Lucian sat back heavily, staring at the place where Damien had been and wondering, softly yet irritably, what exactly the man had helped Alina choose at the mall.

Chapter 196

Later that evening, when the quiet of their room settled around them, Lucian leaned back against the headboard, his sharp gaze never leaving Alina as she moved about in her robe doing her night routine. His tone was calm, but it carried a weight she couldn’t miss.

“So,” he began, fingers drumming once on his thigh, “you really don’t want to tell me what Damien Evergreen helped you with at the mall?”

Alina froze for the briefest second, then forced a lightness into her voice. “I already told you, there was nothing. I just needed his opinion on some things I was picking up for a client.”

Lucian studied her, his eyes narrowing slightly. He knew her too well. “If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine,” he said evenly, “but lying to me? That’s what I don’t like. Is Damien your new friend now, the one you go to for opinions?”

Her lips parted in surprise at the edge in his tone. “It wasn’t like that,” she said quickly, taking a step closer. “It was just a coincidence. I ran into him when I came out of the lingerie store.”

Lucian’s brows shot up, the muscle in his jaw ticking. “The lingerie store?” he echoed standing up, his voice dropping lower. “Is that what he helped you pick out?”

Her eyes widened and she shook her head quickly. “No! Not in there. Outside of it. I was already on my way to the jewelry store when we crossed paths.”

Lucian’s gaze hardened. “Why Damien? Why not call me? Or Talia? Or even ask Jordan and Lee, they were with you weren’t they? Why him?”

Alina sighed, her shoulders slumping a little. “Talia was busy, and Jordan and Lee were absolutely no help. Trust me, I tried.” She gave a tiny smile, tilting her head at him. “Wait… are you jealous?”

His mouth pressed into a thin line. “No. I’m not jealous.”

“Are you sure?” she teased, her eyes sparkling mischievously as she drew closer. “Or are you going to tell me to stay away from Damien now? Is he dangerous?”

Lucian held her gaze, his expression unreadable. Finally, he exhaled. “No, Damien isn’t dangerous. He’s actually a good businessman. A decent man.” His voice tightened. “And that’s what I’m afraid of.” He said the last part under his breath but she heard him.

Alina’s heart softened at the honesty beneath his words. She moved to him, tugging gently until he sat fully on the edge of the bed.

Straddling him, she cupped his face, pressing a slow kiss to his lips. “Listen to me,” she whispered against his mouth. “He just helped me, that’s all there is to it. I don’t even find Damien attractive.”

But as her lips brushed his, her heart flickered with something she couldn’t explain. There was a bond she felt toward Damien, a pull not born of attraction, but of something else she couldn’t place. She pushed it down, not wanting to think much of it.

Instead, she kissed Lucian more deeply, pouring reassurance into the way she touched him. “I love you,” she murmured. “It’s you, and only you. Always.”

14:17 Thu, Sep 25 B ·

Chapter 196

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