Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 172

Don't Want to Be Alone

I'm chewing on my bottom lip as I watch the lights and street signs pass overhead.

The ride is quiet, so quiet that I can hear my own breathing,

Every tick of the turn signal, every shuffle of clothing grates against my ears like it's too loud. Zaid's hands have a tight hold on the wheel. I watch at his knuckles turn white, watch the way his jaw flexes every time we hit a red light.

The tension increases with every second, and he clears his throat before he finally speaks.

"Jace finally has a girlfriend," he says out of nowhere. His voice scratchy, rough like he hasn't used it in days.

I blink, startled, and turn to look at him.

Jace?

We've never talked about Jace. I mean, I know who he is. I've met him and talke to him before. But why is he bringing him up now?

I have to hold in my laugh, stop myself from asking him why we're talking about Jace. I give him something because I can tell he's grasping for normal. For small talk that doesn't exist right now.

"Oh, yeah? That's good for him, I guess."

Zaid nods, once and sharp. His leg bounces a little, the only sign of his fraying patience, his nerves. "Yeah."

It's all he says. I don't think he knows what he's saying at this point.

I almost laugh. Almost.

The comment is so far out of left field, I can't believe he's trying this hard to just talk to

1. me.

We fall quiet again; it makes me press my hand to my stomach, even though I already feel sick enough. I focus on breathing. Zaid keeps driving, but the closer we get, the more rigid

1/4

Don't Want to Be Alone

time we pull into

it fear? Anger? Anxiety?

the car with a sharp twist of his wrist, shoves it into park harder than he needs to. He exhales through his nose, fast and harsh, like he's fighting

placing my hand on his thigh.

my hand there,

you mind waiting in the lobby for me?" I ask

it might help him a

make me feel better knowing

his eyes. Something hollow and aching. But after a long second,

I can do that," he

hand finds mine as we walk toward the building, his fingers sliding between mine without asking. His grip is warm and strong, and

the front desk, filling out the forms with shaking hands. Zaid hovers just a few feet away. His eyes stay on me, even

him one last time, but he stays seated,

rocks back and forth.

as I walk into the back. The exam room is cold, but the OBGYN is nice enough. I get

Not pregnant.

are a

tell me something

2/4

to

words are a

along, but everything is starting to

the time I walk back out to the lobby, my vision has turned hazy around the edges. I take two steps before my knees buckle. Zaid is there in an instant, his arms catching

voice cuts through the noise in my head, but it's muted, like he's speaking

shake

tight around

me upright.

and breathe. I focus on

tell him,

nothing happens. Then he lets out a slow breath and reaches for me, his hand finding the back of my neck as he pulls

of my head.

that for a

No words.

Just breathing.