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

wondering when Zaid will make an

clean the dishes together. I watch the

over my hands. Flashes of memories cross my mind,

and the grief getting lost in their arms and in their kisses. Now,

feel

the dishes and head upstairs. The bedroom light is warm and Jake's things

is exactly how I left it, and my journal sits right at the center of it.

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Somewhere Else-2

it from his

grins, hands raised. "My apologies,

I tie my hair up. His cologne hangs in the air, and I blink a few times at the bathroom mirror, unsure

I feel off.

asks when we climb under the sheets. "Aside

Zaid."

how to take that. I settle into the pillow,

father's sister."

on his face. “I didn't think

sigh."I didn't either, but

hums, noncommittal, then adds, "Didn't realize

throat tightens at that. Zaid knew. He paid

I

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