Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 78

Love Me, Too

I turn on my heels to look at the tree.

Half of it is decorated, and the rest of the ornaments lie in the box. I stare until my eyes burn. It would be beautiful. It would be whimsical, but all I see is the mess I've created.

Aiden's furious face flashes in my mind. Fuck, what was I doing? I'm not a cheater, I can't be. That's terrible. No one deserves that kind of betrayal. I should have ended things with him the moment I felt something for Zaid.

But even that thought doesn't sit right in my chest. Being with Zaid and not Aiden feels

wrong.

I shake my head, pressing a hand to my chest as a wave of emotion drowns me.

Does that mean I have to leave them both?

Pain lances through me.

I would have to move out. Find a job, get an apartment.

Tears prick the back of my eyes.

Zaid's dark, piercing eyes come to mind then, and my knees give out. I sink to the floor, the weight of everything crashing down on me.

Tears blur my vision, and before I know it, I'm sobbing uncontrollably. It all comes at once. The guilt, the confusion, the heartbreak.

My chest feels tight, like I can't breathe.

I think of Aiden's hurt, Zaid's intensity, and my own traitorous feelings. I think of Jake, his warmth and steadiness, and how I've tangled myself in this impossible knot.

How can I live without them?

And at the same time, how can I live with them?

I cry into my hands, letting my love for the three of them express out of me in long sobs.

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Love Me, Too

And then there's the ache of Alex's absence, and the hollow void where my dad should be

this Christmas.

It's all too much.

smiling and laughing and moving

stifle the sobs, but they rip through me, anyway. My breathing becomes shallow and erratic,

opening.

through me. Who could it

pull myself together, wiping my face hastily and curling into myself, but my trembling hands give

in will miss the girl in a ball on the floor. But it's Jakes who walks

wants to crack in two so he can piece me back together in his

brows furrow and his lips part in silent awe makes my heart squeeze. But

floor with a thud as

says, his voice

manage is a

me, his hands cupping my

What happened?"

to form words.

me into his arms without hesitation, holding me tightly

let my face fall into his

hair, his

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3.15 pm

Love Me, Too

the top of my head. "I'm here. It's

like that, but eventually, Jake shifts. He grabs my legs and wraps them around

his neck.

upstairs to

sits down, settling me on his lap and wrapping his arms around

quiet.

my cheeks and tilts my face to look at him. His fingers brush away my tears. "Are you

pressing

want to talk

breath catches in my throat. Do I want to talk to him about how I'm

him

his two

I shake my head.

frowns. "Do you want me

that. "That

press to my lips, and he settles me on his

downstairs.

myself catch my breath

all as terrible as it feels. Maybe there's still a light at the

this deep, dark tunnel.