Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 230

Secrets of Us: A Forbidden Love Romance

Not Fixed

Zaid and I stay in the living room longer than we probably should, sitting in the quiet of everything that's happened. The house feels heavier now and part of me feels like I've ruined everything.

His arm is draped along the back of the couch behind me, his thigh brushing mine. My heart races as I focus on that small touch. It might seem so insignificant, but it's like food

to a starving man.

We sit in silence, neither of us saying anything, but I don't complain. The silence is needed and his presence is enough.

Eventually, I sit up straighter, wiping my face with the sleeve of my shirt. "I'm gonna head up to bed."

Zaid shifts beside me. "Are you gonna be okay?"

I nod, offering a faint smile. "I'll deal with it."

It's the only honest answer I have. I lean in and press a kiss to his cheek, my lips brushing his skin for just a second too long.

"Thank you for sitting here with me."

His eyes trace the side of my face. "I feel like we need a do over for our birthday."

That makes me smile for real. "I wouldn't be opposed to that."

I try to get up, but his fingers curl gently around my wrist, stopping me.

He takes a breath like he's about to say something difficult. "I'm here for you, love."

My heart stutters. I meet his eyes, and all I see there is sincerity. There's no expectation, just him.

I nod, placing my hand lightly over his before managing to slip away. "I know."

I head upstairs, into the quiet of my room. The door clicks shut behind me, and I

half expect the weight of it all to crash over me, but it doesn't,

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I crawl into bed, and I sigh. The sheets are cool against my skin.

they never come. I'm

sad.

reaction replays in my mind. The way he yelled. The way his voice cracked. The look in his eyes when

he could be that

in me settles like

shallow and full of blurry dreams

up tired. The sky is still

catches up.

bed, down the hall, then down the

sit at the kitchen island with my journal, flipping

my

of chaos and hope. I click my pen and

onto the

about Elena, about Zaid. About the way I

sometimes, but I think maybe that's

close the journal, and head toward the coffee machine. The smell of fresh

the counter, and I

Aiden.

smile breaks across my

ran late, and then we had a special training session for those

">

it's okay. Your voice message was

a while. I tell him about Elena and my therapy,

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he always does. Then I breathe in, readying

I broke

a pause. I can practically hear the way

see you. But I didn't know that's how things

"It just happened.

nod, even though he can't

His voice softens. "You deserve that. I love you, okay? And it's only like a month and a half until I'm there, okay? After

warm way. "I can't wait

goodbye and I hang up just as

eyes.

makes a beeline

at him, taking in the expanse of his

each a cup, then adds a little milk and