Rebirth Of The Heiress And The Tycoon's Lover (Alina) novel Chapter 262

Chapter 262

…

Chapter 262

AUTHOR’S POV.

:

Sa vouchere

The door opened slightly, and a maid stepped in. She was a young woman with a soft smile and hair tucked neatly beneath her white headpiece. “Miss Dahlia, dinner is ready. Madam Luna asked me to call you.”

Alina stiffened at the name, her jaw tightening before she turned to face the maid fully. “Please,” she said quietly but firmly, “don’t call me that. My name is Alina.”

The maid blinked in surprise, her eyes widening for a moment before she quickly bowed her head. “I’m so sorry, Miss… I mean, Miss Alina.”

Alina exhaled softly, her expression softening a fraction. “It’s alright.”

The maid hesitated, clutching the edge of her apron nervously. “Your family is waiting for you in the dining hall,” she said, then shifted slightly but didn’t move toward the door.

Alina frowned faintly. “Is there something else?”

The maid’s eyes darted toward the hallway before returning to Alina. “I was asked to show you the way. Miss Alina.”

“Oh.” Alina gave a short nod, realizing she didn’t even know where the dining room was. “Of course. Please, lead the way.”

The maid’s relief was subtle but visible. She stepped aside and gestured politely. “This way, miss.”

They walked down the long corridor, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly against the marble floors. Every corner of the Evergreen manor gleamed with opulence, chandeliers dripping crystals, the walls lined with family portraits, the faint scent of lilies lingering in the air. Everything was immaculate, too pristine, as though time itself had been frozen within these walls.

When they arrived at the dining hall, the large oak doors were already open. Light from the golden chandelier spilled into the hallway, warm and bright.

“Here we are.” The maid murmured before stepping aside respectfully.

Alina inhaled deeply before stepping inside. The moment she did, Luna’s bright voice cut through the air

“Oh, there she is!” Luna exclaimed, rising halfway from her seat, her face glowing with excitement. “Sweetheart, we were just about to send Damien to fetch you.”

Alina managed a polite smile, walking toward the long table that looked as if it could seat twenty people, though only four were currently there. Luna, Darius, and Damien seated beside his mother.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.” Alina said quietly as she took the empty seat opposite tuna.

“Oh, don’t apologize, dear,” Luna said quickly, her tone light, almost maternal. “You must be tired from the journey and everything that’s happened. I still can’t believe you’re really here.” Her hand fluttered slightly as she laughed, and her eyes shone with a mix of excitement and sentiment.

8.54 Tue, Oct 21 T

Chapter 262

A vouchers

Damien gave her a small nod of greeting, a subtle smile tugging at his lips. “Hey.” He said softly, trying to ease the tension that had been lingering since she arrived.

“Hi” Alina replied shortly, her voice polite but distant.

Darius, however, said nothing. He sat at the head of the table, his expression unreadable as always, his silver cufflinks gleaming beneath the light.

The servants began to move around quietly, placing dishes before them… roasted lamb, mashed potatoes, a delicate bowl of soup, everything plated perfectly.

“So,” Luna began brightly, clasping her hands together. “How are you finding the manor so far? I hope your room is to your liking. We kept it just the way it was… I thought it might make you feel at home again.”

Alina looked up briefly, her expression neutral. “It’s… beautiful.” She said carefully.

Luna smiled warmly, “It was your favorite place in the house, you know? You used to insist on having those little pink curtains, even though Darius said they clashed with the walls.” She chuckled, glancing at her husband as if hoping to spark some nostalgic warmth. “I told him it gave the room character.”

Darius didn’t respond. He merely lifted his glass of water and took a slow sip.

Luna brushed off the silence with another smile. “You must let me show you around tomorrow. The gardens are still as lovely as ever, and the fountain…oh, you used to adore feeding the koi fish there!”

Alina gave a faint smile, nodding. “That sounds… nice.”

Damien leaned forward slightly, his tone gentle. “And if you’d like, I can show you the training grounds too. We remodeled it a bit since…” He hesitated for a second before finishing. “Since you were last here.”

Her fork paused halfway to her mouth, her expression flickering. “Maybe later.” She said softly, her tone distant again.

Luna’s expression fell slightly, but she recovered quickly. “Of course, dear, whenever you’re ready.”

The room fell into a short silence, broken only by the faint clinking of cutlery and the muffled hum of the servants moving quietly around them.

“You must be hungry,” Luna said after a while, eager to fill the quiet again. “Eat, sweetheart. I had the chef make your favorites… though I imagine your taste might have changed over the years.”

“I’m not really hungry, but thanks.” Alina murmured, though she forced herself to take a small bite, mostly out of courtesy.

Luna sighed softly, but her smile stayed in place. “That’s alright. You’ll adjust soon enough. It must be.. a lot to take in, I know. Coming home after all these years.”

“Home,” Alina repeated under her breath, almost inaudibly, her gaze drifting toward the massive window

beside them.

Damien noticed the flicker of emotion in her tone and quickly spoke up. “It’s strange, isn’t it? How nothing

8:54 Tue, Oct 21 T

Chapter 262

ever really changes here.”

Luna shot her son a look, her voice gentle but a touch strained. “Damien…”

He lifted his hands slightly. “I just meant it must feel odd. Familiar but not the same.”

Alina met his eyes briefly and gave a small nod. “Exactly.”

El 65 voucher

Luna gave a soft laugh, trying again to lighten the mood. “Well, everything takes time. Soon, this will all feel natural again. You’ll see.”

“Maybe.” Alina replied, her voice polite but flat.

Another stretch of silence. The servants came and went, refilling glasses and adjusting plates, the atmosphere thick with unspoken words.

It wasn’t that Alina was rude, she was simply… detached. Her answers were courteous, her tone measured, but her eyes told a different story. A distance. A weight that not even Luna’s warmth could melt through.

Luna, for her part, kept trying. “I was thinking,” she began after a few minutes, “we could host a small tea with some of the ladies in Ravinne. They’ve been dying to meet you ever since the news came out. It doesn’t have to be anything big… just a little gathering. I’ll handle everything.”

“That’s very thoughtful,” Alina said softly. “But I’d rather settle in first.”

“Of course,” Luna said quickly, though her smile faltered a little. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Damien tried again to ease the growing discomfort. “You know,” he said, picking up his glass, “the chef we have now is from Elaris. Maybe he could make something from there if you’re feeling homesick.”

Alina glanced at him, her eyes briefly softening. “That would be nice. Thank you.”

He smiled faintly, relieved to have gotten even that small response.

But then, the calm that had barely been hanging on began to crack.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify