Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 169

Two

Nikki sighs, and it's the only sound in the quiet bathroom. It echoes off the walls.

She's lying down in the tub, her arms folded beneath her head. She looks incredibly uncomfortable, but she doesn't complain.

I'm standing, frozen, staring at the door because I'm too much of a wuss to turn around and look at the test on the counter. I memorize the grain and the grooves etched into the wood. I'm imagining someone bursting in and telling me this has all been a dream.

That I don't have to turn around and see what's sitting on the counter behind me.

"I can look at it if you want me to," Nikki murmurs.

I shake my head as I turn to face her. "No, it's okay. I'll do it."

But I don't move. I can't. My brain can't communicate with my body. My feet feel bolted

to the tile.

"Have you thought about who the father is?" she asks quietly.

The air punches out of my lungs. I close my eyes, pressing my palm against the

wall to stay upright. "Oh, no. That's a whole other thing."

Nikki shifts in the tub, sitting up now. I can feel her gaze heavy on me even though I

refuse to look at her.

"You're gonna need DNA tests. For the three of them," she says, sounding thoughtful, like

there with me

I swallow hard, staring at my clammy hands. "Two," I

I glance at her, Nikki's frowning, her

down the wall until I'm sitting on the cold floor, knees bent, fingers twisting together in my lap. I exhale

1/3

4:25 pm F

Two

true, but they are. Nikki blinks at me, her mouth parting in shock. "What? I wouldn't assume that. I mean,

liking

things, but not

frowns. "You don't want to?

out in prickles. "I

her jaw drops. "He doesn't want

confusion because I live in it every day. "I don't

shake my head slowly, a bitter laugh scraping out of me. "It's weird because I think

but something stops

a thoughtful expression

her, searching her face. "I don't know

happens and Nikki's face drains

as her breathing

I ask, heart climbing into my

her lips pressed together. Then, after a second,

rumors about Zaid

head again like she's trying to dislodge the

"What, Nikki?"

him about it. I can't

"What do you mean?"