章 28: To Escape the Tiger

"Oh my god! Look at that woman, Lina, she's stunning!" Isabelle nudged her close friend.

Isabelle was left speechless at how beautiful the woman standing at the end of the carpet was.

"But she looks so familiar…" Isabelle trailed off, her eyes glued to the blonde. It wasn't a surprise, given the adoring glances shifting her way.

"What are the odds that the two men you've been photographed with shows up at the same place as you?" Isabelle added on, her lips tugging into a grin. Her sharp nose was picking up on gossip, but she couldn't pinpoint it.

"The odds are low, but not impossible," Lina finally managed to say. She was staring intently at the woman. Thorns prickled at her chest, not from jealousy, but from hatred.

That woman… How was she still alive?

Lina tried to keep her face blank, but it was difficult. She watched as the woman offered Kaden a smile and flicked her blond hair behind her shoulders, her green eyes shining like emeralds under the light. How could Lina have forgotten?

The one and only possibility of Kaden gaining immortality wasn't by a stroke of luck. It was from deflowering a Golden Rose—a woman with hair the color of the sun and eyes the color of the forest.

"Oh my, I remember her!" Isabelle sharply gasped. "Isn't that Priscilla Hart?"

Lina blinked. Finally, she tore her eyes from Priscilla. Even her name was pretty.

"I wouldn't know," Lina curtly said.

Lina touched her chest, feeling another prick of pain. She watched as Priscilla batted her pretty little lashes at Kaden. Kaden raised his brow, curtly replying before walking off. Priscilla laughed at what he said, the epitome of femme fatale. Kaden paused and cast her another glance, but didn't respond.

Lina's breath was caught in her throat. This interaction… their expressions, their behaviors. A strong wave of deja vu slammed into her. She had experienced this before. In her first life.

Lina was clearly remembering it now. The reason that a war had broken out. The reason she had run for her life. Images one after the other flashed before her. And soon, she was beginning to relive the exact moments leading up to the war.

"...Princess…"

Lina jolted. "H-huh?"

"Oh, I said Hart's family was one of the first western families to have relations with Ritan thousands of years ago. A daughter of the ancient Hart family was even made a Princess," Isabelle said.

Then, Isabelle grinned. "Aren't you proud of me for remembering these historical facts?"

Lina softly chuckled and nodded. "Of course, I'd be proud."

"Well, I have to admit it was from hearing you mutter about the textbook at the crack of dawn after you've studied all night long," Isabelle snorted, crossing her arms.

Isabelle returned her attention to the stunning pair. Then her eyes widened.

"U-uhm, Lina, don't look but—"

Lina looked. Her heart dropped to her stomach. Everett had exited the store. And he was making his way to her. Kaden had also stopped walking. Kaden was standing at the end of the carpet, hands resting loosely in his pockets, watching the approaching heir.

"Let's go," Lina whispered, grabbing Isabelle and attempting to run, but Everett was a step faster than her.

"Lina!" Everett called out.

Lina squeezed her eyes shut and cursed under her breath. Right at this moment, she could hear the crowd of people whispering amongst themselves. Even the paparazzi must've been surprised, for they didn't know who to capture—the Dehaven heir, or the budding couple.

"I'm so glad to have run into you here," Everett said, approaching her from behind. He offered her a happy smile. "Oh, is this your friend?"

"Uh…" Isabelle trailed off, glancing from the hesitant Lina to the happy Everett. She wasn't sure what she should do. And from Lina's reaction to Everett, Isabelle knew it was best to leave.

"O-ow!" Isabelle suddenly complained, grabbing her lower left stomach.

Lina blankly glanced at Isabelle.

Isabelle rolled her eyes and tried again. "O.W!" she emphasized.

"Oh, dear!" Lina softly gasped, grabbing her friend's elbow. "Are you alright, Isabelle?"

"No, it hurts. I-I think my appendix is going to burst," Isabelle sobbed, leaning her head on Lina's shoulders.

"Your appendix is on the right," Lina whispered to Isabelle.

"O-oh, my appendix!" Isabelle cried out, moving her hand to the right side of her stomach, hoping Everett didn't catch that.

"Hurry and rush me to the nearest hospital," Isabelle complained, nudging at Lina like a spoiled pet.

"I'll drive," Everett instantly offered, holding up his car keys.

Isabelle and Lina glanced at each other.

Persistent prick.

"R-right, my carsickness will act up if you're not the one driving," Isabelle coughed out, shoving her keys into Lina's hands.

"Let's go then," Lina quickly said, grabbing her friend and rushing them outside. The only problem? Isabelle didn't own a car. And Lina was handed regular house keys.

Isabelle hobbled outside, shooting Lina a stare. "You owe me for being such a great friend," she whispered.

"I'll treat you to a meal after this," Lina muttered back.

"Where's your car? If you give me the keys, I'll help you get it from the parking lot," a voice said from behind them.

The two women turned around to see Everett had followed them outside. In the near distance, so were the paparazzi and crowd. They were eager for a show.

Lina was pretty sure she saw someone plopping popcorn into their mouth.

"Wow, now I know why you don't like him," Isabelle groaned under her breath. She was trying her hardest to put on a convincing show. She was hoping to have inherited her father's acting skills.

"The keys please," Everett said, walking forward with his palm offered to Lina.

Lina stared at his pale hand, and then back at Everett. Why couldn't he get a hint? She pressed her lips together.

Suddenly, a black car pulled up behind Lina. Their attention quickly drifted to the chauffeur, who had stepped out and pulled the doors open.

"Young Misses, if you will please," the chauffeur politely said, gesturing his arm towards the car.

Lina paused. Who's this? She took a good look at the driver. Now, she was on high alert. Especially after that scammer of a driver from earlier this morning. But then, she noticed a small golden pin on the chauffeur's suit. She faintly made out the symbol of the DeHaven family.

Instantly, she knew who sent this man.

Lina swallowed hard. She had no choice. To escape from the tiger, she had to get into the lion's den. Tightening her grip on Isabelle, she forced a smile.

"Ah, is this your father's driver?" Lina loudly asked, making sure Everett heard it as well.

"Yes, yes this is!" Isabelle responded, her voice rising an octave from nervousness. So maybe, she didn't inherit her father's good acting skills…

"Let's get in before my appendix bursts and I die," Isabelle added on.

Instantly, the two women got into the car, leaving Everett on the side of the road. When the car drove off, it blew dust in Everett's direction. Everett's lips curled into a snarl, glowering at the license plate of the car. He was no fool.

Everett knew exactly who this car belonged to. And he knew exactly who had gotten the upper hand in his fight. Now, Lina was in Kaden's car, being driven to god knows where.

For all Everett knew, this could be the last moment he's seen with Lina. And the last moment he'd see her without a ring on her finger.