Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 227

Clear and Fragile

I wake up warm, but the comfort in my chest slowly disappears into dread.

The sheets are tangled around my legs, sunlight spilling through the cracks in the curtains, soft and golden. And Jake is beside me, his arm still draped across my waist, our

bodies bare under the covers.

My stomach twists, I struggle to breathe as I close my eyes and cuss to myself

under my

breath. Fuck. Fuck.

I used to wake up like this and feel comfort and familiarity. I would sigh and be happy for

the quiet ease of something that made sense.

But now, I just feel guilty, and I don't know why.

This wasn't new, this wasn't wrong. I've slept with him before, plenty of times, even when

I knew I was falling for Zaid.

So why does it feel like I did something I shouldn't have?

I shift carefully, slipping from under the covers without waking him. My pajamas

are

spread across the bed. I put them on quickly, trying to ignore the ache in my chest.

I head into the bathroom, and when I look at my reflection; I wince.

I can't tell if I am as tired and washed out as I look, or if maybe I just don't like myself

today. Maybe I just don't like what I see.

I shower in silence, scrubbin my skin until it feels new ain. When I step back into the room, Jake is still asleep. I glance at the clock. He's probably exhausted from the time change. We stayed up so late for him last night.

I give him one last glance before stepping out into the hallway.

The door to Zaid's room creaks open as I pass. He's standing there, like he was waiting for me. His smile is soft and sleepy, his hair a little messy, like he just ran his hands through

1. it.

"Hey," he says.

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Clear and Fragile

"Hey."

I can think, his body pressing

was looking for. This

away, his smile turns languid. "Happy birthday,

the floor. But then he looks at me. Really looks at me. And suddenly I

he see

either side of me, his eyes narrowing just slightly. "You slept

question. I nod slowly. "It

tight, and then

"I'm sorry."

"No, don't apologize. It's fine. We agreed to this, right? Whatever makes you

I flinch. "Zaid."

"I want you to have a good day,

be here when you're ready for dinner

gone. Just like

the hall. I wait for Jake to wake up

smile on my face as he wishes me a happy

I will never use. He seems to notice something's off, but like me, he avoids the

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call of the day that I start to feel like maybe he is using me as a distraction. Maybe he came here more for

about the nosedive his company is

miles away. They're with Zaid because I want to be

beginning to set. The sound of a car in the driveway has me walking from the kitchen to

when I see Elena pull up to the house in a sleek, champagne colored car. She's smiling wide, her arms in the air as she sticks her

she beams when

the driver for a second before running toward Elena. She gets out

cry as I press into her

my shoulder at the house. I

Jake smiles softly at Elena, his eyebrows raised and Zaid

asks,

is Zaid's dad,"

he stiffens, that he gives me an incredulous

notices. They

you join us?"

almost say no for him. But he's already smiling politely, nodding. "I'd love