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

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Don't Want to Be Alone

we pull

it fear? Anger? Anxiety?

wrist, shoves it into park harder than he needs to.

reach out without thinking, placing my hand on his thigh. He

hand there, trying

mind waiting in the lobby for me?" I ask

him a little, but

feel better knowing

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

can do that," he

car together, and I feel him behind me, breathing heavy. In and out. His hand finds mine as we walk toward the building, his fingers sliding between mine without asking. His grip is warm and strong, and I don't pull away. I

stay on me, even when I sit down again. They call my name sooner than I expect, and the knot in my stomach pulls

he stays seated, his elbows braced

rocks back and forth.

the OBGYN is nice enough. I get checked out.

Not pregnant.

are

tell me something

2/4

to Be

those words are a

everything is starting to

has turned hazy around the edges. I take two steps before my knees buckle. Zaid is there in an instant, his

the noise in my head, but

shake my

to the car, his hand tight around my waist, and he's the

me upright.

my eyes and breathe. I focus on

pregnant," I tell

second, nothing happens. Then he lets out a slow breath and reaches for me, his hand

of my head.

that for a

No words.

Just breathing.