Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 71

Just the Three of Us

I walk through the house with all of my senses dulled. I can't hear, think, or feel anything.

My breath is coming out in harsh pants, and I step back outside to the backyard. The laughter and clinking of glasses feels distant, like it's happening behind a veil. Everything is muffled under the weight of what I've just learned.

Aiden. Zaid. That night. The secrets.

Zaid is a few steps behind me. I can hear his steps. I let out of sigh of relief. I didn't know he made me feel this way. He always wound me up so tight. This feeling is new and

welcome.

I can't shake the image of him in my mind, broken and desperate.

I want to cry because I have never met anyone who could understand me like he does. He was in the car accident that killed his mother, and he still carries the scars associated

with that. He still carries the guilt.

Like me.

He protected Aiden at the cost of his own future. At the cost of his reputation. At the cost

of himself.

My heart aches as I glance back at him briefly. Zaid looks calm, almost unreadable, but his

eyes meet mine, dark and holding me together in a way that feels like it's pulling

me

apart at the same time.

feel so much more for him than

autopilot, my heels clicking against the floor. The crowd of guests swirls around me, faces blurring. And then

rushes from my lungs. Does he know? My step falters, and my chest tightens

this whole time that Aiden was

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love," Zaid murmurs, his voice low and right behind

finds the small of my back, warm and grounding. My body leans into his touch without permission, desperate for something steady. I give myself a few seconds and

he steps closer, his voice brushing against my ear. "You can confront Aiden later. The night's

a second longer

walks up to us, weaving through the crowd toward me,

been?" he asks, his eyes flicking to Zaid briefly before

me.

that feels tight and unnatural. "I

forehead. My stomach twists, and I have to focus hard not to pull away. His touch

fun, carefree person I thought he was. How can I feel

his hand slipping to mine as he leads me back to our table. Zaid follows a few

party.

haze. People stand to give their toasts, their words blending into a background hum I can barely focus on. Aiden's hand rests on my thigh under the table, a touch that once would've comforted me but now feels

can't shake off.

him so many things and tell him that

I don't know how to

catching the way his jaw tightens as he

his

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Three

champagne. Our eyes meet for the briefest of