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

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

shifts closer, his

launching myself into

me a piece of my

circles on my back,

pull away, he wipes the tears from my cheeks

A Thousand Words 2

to him. My gaze flickers to jake, who is

nodding toward the last gift under the tree.

too."

1 blink. "Wait-what?"

and picking

open it. The moment I see

my name, and a

down

Zaid, a thousand emotions rushing through me at once.

words I want to

you," I whisper, my

gaze holding mine

and glance between the three of

I didn't

grins, leaning back against the

me a subtle nod