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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"Hey."

me into his room. His lips are on mine before I can think, his body pressing mine gently back against the wall. I melt into him, my

was looking for. This

smile turns languid. "Happy birthday,

looks at me. Really looks at me. And

see

the wall on either side of

a question. I

back, jaw tight, and then gives

"I'm sorry."

shakes his head. "No, don't apologize. It's fine. We agreed to

I flinch. "Zaid."

open. "I want you to have a good day,

here when you're ready

he's gone. Just

walk out, heart heavy, back down the hall. I wait for Jake to

my face as he wishes me a

spend the day together. He takes me to brunch, gives me a necklace that I will never use. He seems to notice something's off, but like me, he avoids

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start to feel like maybe

me stories and pretends he's not thinking about the nosedive his company is

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

just as the sun is beginning to set. The sound of a car in

up to the house in a sleek, champagne colored car. She's smiling wide, her arms in the air as she sticks her body out of the

when

my god," I squeal, looking at the driver for a second before running toward Elena. She gets out of the car, wrapping

as I press into her chest, wrapping my

pulls away, looking over my shoulder at the house. I

at Elena, his eyebrows

Elena asks, standing next

is Zaid's dad," I whisper,

that he gives me an incredulous look, but

she notices. They

don't you join us?" She asks

him. But he's already