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

1/4

Know

his nostrils flaring as he breathes in

okay?" I

he finally opens his eyes, they're shining

ache blooms in

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

"Jake-"

father in the world,"

as I crawl onto his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. His face

"We've all struggled with things, Jake. Losing family members isn't easy. None of this

around my waist. "I should have known

head, cupping his face to bring his eyes

smiles back at me, but it drops almost instantly. He blows out a stream of air. “I have so much to make up

fingers through his hair. "He

in anger. "And Aiden? That little

his eyes. "Don't trade in your anger

would just be the same

2/4

Know

He studies me.

of the work has to be between them 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

"But Aiden-"

insisted. They love each other. He wanted to protect him. You want to punish Aiden for worrying about his future?" The words come out

For lying to me. For

work through it. "Do you what you have to do, but come out of

the

as if he's letting go of something he's been holding onto for too long. "I can't imagine

you as the glue. I had hoped that

that's a lot