Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 147

I Don't Know My Own Sons

The silence that follows after Jake storms off is thick, almost suffocating. I sit there, staring at my half-eaten plate, my heart still pounding.

Should I have waited until we were done with the trip to bring something up? No, not when they're talking about separating our days.

I look at Zaid, who is watching me with a soft smile. It mirrors how uncomfortable

I am and yet lets me know that he feels better about the truth being out.

Aiden hasn't moved, hasn't spoken a word.

Zaid exhales heavily, then stands, clapping Aiden on the back. "Come on, man. We should go talk some things through."

Aiden finally blinks, his expression still unreadable, but he nods without a word and pushes back from the table.

Zaid turns to me, his eyes warm as he leans down, pressing a soft, lingering kiss against my lips. "I'll check in with you later, okay, love?"

I nod, squeezing his hand before he follows Aiden out of the room, leaving me alone.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself before I stand and head upstairs.

Jake's door is shut, and I don't bother knocking. I push it open, stepping inside to find him sitting on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. His broad shoulders are hunched, his entire body tight with frustration and tension.

He looks like I could touch him and he'd crack in two. He's not crying, but his body

trembles as if he's trying to hold it in.

My heart clenches.

I walk over, sinking to my knees in front of him. Without hesitation, I reach for his

wrists, gently prying his hands away from his face.

I whisper, searching

1/4

Know

nostrils flaring

you okay?" I

as he exhales a shaky breath. When he finally opens his eyes, they're shining with

sharp ache blooms in my

not seen it? Looking back now, it makes sense, there

"Jake-"

in the world," he

softly. I stand, pushing him back gently as I crawl onto his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. His face presses against my chest, his breath warm against my skin. I cradle

struggled with things, Jake. Losing family members isn't easy. None of this has been easy. You believed what they told you, that's not being a

my waist. "I should

his face to bring his eyes up to mine.

it drops almost instantly. He blows out a stream of air. “I have so much to make up

my fingers through his hair. "He hasn't deserved any of

jaw clenching in

his eyes. "Don't trade in your anger toward

would just be the same

2/4

Know My Own

He studies me.

panicking. Maybe overstepping, but I can't let this fall apart when

"But Aiden-"

other. He wanted to protect him. You want to punish Aiden for worrying about his future?" The words come out of me shaky, broken. I want this to work, want this to

frowns. "No. For lying to me. For

a lot of pain bubbled up inside these men. They need to work through it. "Do you what you have to do,

without the three

his body slowly relax, sinking into me, as if he's letting go of something he's been holding onto for too long. "I can't imagine my life without

you as the glue. I had hoped that we would get closer because of you,

that's a