Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 226

Somewhere Else-2

I nod slowly, careful with my expression. "Yeah."

He lets me go then leans against the counter, arms crossed, studying me. "And you? How are you feeling about everything?"

My stomach tightens. "I'm fine."

It's a lie. I know it, but I smile anyway and go back to covering the vegetables in olive oil.

We finish making dinner, mostly in silence. The clinks of silverware and the simmering

pot fill the space where words should go. When we sit down to eat, I try again.

"How's everything going?" I ask, spearing a piece of roasted zucchini.

Jake sighs, the sound is heavy and tired. "The board's pushing me to step down. Sell my

shares. The stock's tanked since the story broke."

I freeze mid-bite. "Jake, I'm so sorry."

He waves it off with a bitter twist of his mouth. "It's my fault. I don't lose all of my money, so I can't complain."

I don't have anything to say to that, my eyes going to the hallways that leads to the

when Zaid will

the dishes together. I watch the

over my hands. Flashes of memories cross my

and the grief getting lost in their arms and in their kisses. Now, I faced the dark alone,

feel easy like

and head upstairs. The bedroom light is

left it, and my journal sits right at the center of it.

1/3

Somewhere Else-2

plucking it from his

hands raised.

ready for bed. He brushes his teeth while I tie my hair up. His cologne hangs in the air, and I blink a few times at the bathroom mirror,

I feel off.

it been here?" he asks when we

Zaid."

something bad and I'm not sure how to take that. I settle into the pillow, tucking the blanket

father's sister."

turns his head toward me, a frown on his

either, but it's been

"Didn't

that. Zaid knew.

respond. I don't need

his fingers tracing a path up my arm. His touch is gentle, familiar. He