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 make an

watch the soap bubble around our fingers, feel the

memories cross my mind, of home

grief getting lost in their arms

will things feel easy like that

finish the dishes and head upstairs. The bedroom light is warm

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

1/3

Somewhere Else-2

it from his

grins, hands raised. "My

his teeth while I tie my hair up. His cologne hangs

I feel off.

he asks when we climb under

Zaid."

says it like it's something bad and I'm not sure how to take that. I settle into the pillow, tucking the

father's sister."

toward me, a frown on his face. “I didn't think therapy was

either, but it's

then adds, "Didn't realize

that. Zaid knew.

respond. I don't

fingers tracing a path up my arm. His touch is gentle, familiar. He leans in, kissing me softly. "I