Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 104

A Thousand Words-2

Aiden chuckles from beside me, his fingers at my collarbone dropping lower until he grazes the top of my breast.

Jake clicks his tongue, his voice sharp. "Aiden, don't be inappropriate."

But when I look at him, his expression isn't just disapproving. It's jealous. His fingers are white from how hard he grips onto the glass in his hands.

I force a small smile and turn to Aiden, holding up the necklace. "Thank you. It's

beautiful."

I press a soft kiss to his lips, trying to ignore the weight of Jake's stare and the lacey garment still in the box.

Then Zaid stands, retrieving a bigger box from under the tree. When he hands it to me, I frown, glancing at him.

He just nods toward it, silently urging me to open it.

I do. And the moment I see what's inside, my heart stops.

A painting.

Not just any painting. One of his paintings. My father's.

A strangled sound escapes my throat as I cover my mouth, tears instantly pricking my

trace my fingers over the canvas, over the familiar strokes, the shades of color I remember watching him mix when I was a little girl. "I—I thought

closer, his voice

quiet sob before launching myself into his arms, holding onto

a piece

my back,

he wipes the tears from my cheeks with careful hands,

A Thousand Words 2

I am everything to him. My gaze flickers to jake, who is watching me

the last gift under the tree. "That one's

too."

1 blink. "Wait-what?"

and picking up the last present.

I unwrap the box and open it. The moment I see what's inside, warmth spreads

with my name, and a set of

blurs slightly as I stare down at them, my fingers running over the

my gaze to Zaid, a thousand emotions rushing

I want

whisper, my

his gaze holding mine

the three

I didn't

back against the

gives me a subtle nod