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.

whisper, searching his

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Know

tight, his nostrils flaring as he breathes

okay?"

breath. When he finally opens his

ache blooms in

Looking back now, it makes sense, there were so many

"Jake-"

worst father in

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 him close, threading my fingers through his hair. He hums, leaning into

things, Jake. Losing family members isn't easy. None of this has been easy. You

around my waist.

shake my head, cupping his face to bring his eyes up to mine. "They're smarter than you give them

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

fingers through his hair.

his eyes, jaw clenching in anger. "And Aiden?

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

would just be the

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Don't Know My

He studies me.

and between you and Zaid." I'm panicking. Maybe overstepping, but I can't let this fall apart when we're so close to finally coming to an

"But Aiden-"

to protect him. You want to punish Aiden for worrying

For letting Zaid take the brunt of my

There's a lot of pain bubbled up inside these men. They need to work through it. "Do you what

without the

feel 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

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

that's a