Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 73

Fix It

I stare out of the window into the backyard, the mess from last night mostly gone.

The pan sizzles and I snap out of my thoughts.

"Shit," I whisper to myself, grimacing as I salvage the eggs before they burn.

My mind has been a chaotic mess. Even my dreams seemed too real last night.

I dreamed of a car and a crash. Of Zaid in handcuffs and Aiden just watching.

I slide a piece of bread into the toaster, my mind racing with questions I don't know if I

want the answers to.

The soft creak of the stairs makes my heart jolt. I don't have to turn around to know it's

Aiden. His footsteps are slower than usual, hesitant, almost apologetic.

"Morning," he says, his voice quiet and heavy with sleep.

"Morning," I reply, my tone neutral, my focus fixed on the egg as it bubbles in the pan.

I feel him behind me before he touches me, his arms wrapping around my waist, pulling

me into his chest. His warmth is familiar, and for a moment, I let myself lean into it,

closing my eyes.

"Do you hate me now?" he asks softly, his voice trembling just enough to make me flinch.

I shake my head, opening my eyes and focusing on the stovetop.

"I don't know," I admit.

He tenses behind me and retreats just a bit.

"I'm confused. Angry. But I want to hear your side."

He exhales a shaky breath, his arms loosening slightly. "Okay. Yeah, okay. Let's talk."

onto a plate, grabbing my toast from

1/4

Fix it

on the couch, his eyes wary. His pupils follow me, his lips

him and balance the plate on

just look down at the

stairs, wondering if Zaid is awake. The thought of him sends a pang through my chest, but I push

slide to

want from this conversation? Closure? Clarity?

way he looks at me makes me feel like he is depending on me to give him

me, made me laugh when I didn't think I'd ever laugh again. How he made me

type of guy

shit.

be

myself

flinches, his jaw tightening. "What exactly did he tell

my hands from trembling. "That it was

take the blame and he went to juvie to

to the floor. "It wasn't

it is true."

He nods.

fill my eyes. "How could you do

2/4

3:15 Bm

Fix It

through his fingers. "Alina, I was scared. I panicked. I didn't know what to

you let Zaid take the fall?"

He grimaces.

go to juvie while you

like that!" he protests, leaning forward, his hands

his eyes. Fear, hatred, anger, devastation

me he'd take the blame. He said I

"And

"Of course I did!"

my eyes until they

the right thing to do," he finally says, his voice barely

“He said he didn't care, that he didn't have

table, my appetite entirely gone. "He