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.

his voice soft.

before launching myself into his arms, holding onto him

piece of my soul.

slow circles on my back, his fingers

pull away, he wipes the tears from my cheeks with careful hands, dark

A Thousand Words 2

me like I am everything to him. My gaze flickers to jake, who is watching me with narrowed eyes, his jaw

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

too."

1 blink. "Wait-what?"

tree and picking up the

open it. The moment I see what's inside, warmth

my name, and

blurs slightly as I stare down at

Zaid, a thousand emotions rushing through me

I

whisper, my

holding mine for

and glance between the three of them, guilt

didn't get anything for you

back against the couch. "You're

gives me a subtle nod in