Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 197

What I Would Have Done

Zaid and I walk down the stairs together, smiles tugging at our lips, warmth between us. He steals a quick kiss before we reach the kitchen, and I giggle against his mouth, thankful for his gentler side.

We walk into the kitchen, and my eyes go to Aiden first. He's sitting on a stool at the kitchen island, cradling a coffee mug between his hands. He's focused on the countertop, as if he's too deep in thought.

Jake leans against the counter, his focus on his phone.

When they hear our footsteps, the both of them glance up.

Jake blinks like he's trying to make sure we are really here. His eyes take in the way Zaid's arm is around my waist, the way I'm leaning into him. The muscle between his brows twitches as his gaze sharpens. "You two didn't come to bed last night."

My cheeks flush, and I clear my throat, reaching for a mug as I step away from Zaid. "We slept in Zaid's room."

Silence follows as I turn my back to them and pour my coffee. I can feel their eyes on my back, their focus, attention. When I turn back around, Jake is the one to break the silence.

"Aiden told me what happened last night."

I freeze, my hand mid-air as I reach for a spoon. Zaid is beside me in an instant, his chest brushing the back of my shoulder. My heart rate calms down and I take his touch for what

it is.

Comfort.

I exhale a slow breath and nod. "Yeah. I don't know what I would have done if they hadn't shown up."

Aiden shifts in his seat, looking at me with a guilty frown. "Zaid was getting nervous when you didn't answer your phone. He wanted to check on you. I thought he was being paranoid."

I close my eyes for a second, inhaling. I let Zaid's body heat melt into me. I'm safe

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prm

What I Would Have Done

and I don't know what I would have done if

steps closer, cupping my face between his hands. His touch is

him, feeling the loss of Zaid's touch. "I feel better now, but I'm not

my cheek before he leans down, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. I set my mug down, rising onto my toes to kiss him deeper,

forehead

nod before glancing

his eyes filled with so much. "I'll

pulls me into a kiss. I gasp against his mouth, my hands flying to his hair, fingers tangling in the strands as he lifts me effortlessly onto the

finally pulls back, his forehead rests against mine. "We'll

sigh escapes me, relief settling deep in my

another word, we head to

my throat grows two sizes and I can't swallow. My stomach turns violently and I am so sure I'm going

"I'm right here, love."

side, my breath coming out in

room, a table and two chairs filling the space. Jake sits

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I Would Have

all I can do is look at the door and wish it were

1. me.

recount every painful detail of last night. He's patient as I struggle through some of the parts. I don't know how much I can say. Will I get in trouble for being drunk

even matter

through, forcing myself to get it all out so

be put to rest.

can pretty much corroborate my story. He says he can't

to get out of

out of the room, Jake is seething. His hands are

his jaw tight as he glares at

there, I would've punched

us out to the lobby clears his throat. “I understand

stepdaughter is safe now, sir. Let us take care of the rest." I flinch.

hand pressing against the bottom of