Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 240

Chapter 240

I sit on the windowsill of the art room, knees tucked to my chest. I've had that confusion build inside my chest for the past weeks and it's killing me.

I feel like a coward because I haven't talked to Zaid or Cami about. I blow out a slow breath and pick up my phone, deciding to just get it over with.

Cami picks up after two rings. "Hey, Alina."

"Hi," I say, soft. "Do you have time to talk?"

"It is my office hours, so yes, I have time for you," she replies warmly. "Is

everything okay?"

I stare out the window, watching Zaid through the glass as he waters the little herb garden we planted last week. "Tired. Nervous, maybe."

"Because Aiden's flying in tomorrow?"

"Yeah." I exhale. "I thought I was okay with everything. But now that it's real, now that he's coming, I feel off."

There's a pause. "Tell me more."

"I've been talking to him on the phone," I start, "and it's fine. He's sweet. Kind. Always checks in. I don't feel tense or weird like I did with Jake. But is that enough? Is that enough to stay with someone?"

Cami hums gently. "That's a very important question. And I think, instead of rushing to

answer it, we should first explore what's behind it. What does it mean to you that Aiden has been kind to you?"

I chew on my lip. "It means he loves me. That he's safe. That he deserves someone who

much as he wants

someone have to

flips. I close my

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voice stays calm. "Alina, sometimes people show us love, and we feel compelled to return it. Especially if we've spent years questioning whether we're worthy of it. You've been through a lot-survival, trauma, grief. And in the wake of that, your instinct has been to cling to any love that doesn't hurt, and in some cases, love that does hurt. The pain feels like a distraction for you. It makes sense.

my eyes, sudden and sharp. "I don't want to be ungrateful. He's been good to me. He's never made me feel small. But when I think about the future, I don't know if

see him in it."

"What do you see?"

too fast. Zaid's laugh. Us.

his brow creases when

hard. "Zaid. He's all I

when you picture

I don't hesitate. "Peace."

firm. "You've grown up believing that you owe your loyalty to anyone who sees your worth. But

it hurts him? What if I become the person who walks away?

Aiden. Not him."

responsible for your truth. And for respecting his enough to not lead him on. If that's what you

of you feels that

"Yes. And I

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by trauma, by abandonment. Your instinct is to hold on tight. But healing doesn't mean sacrificing your truth

my eyes. "I don't want

in the right place. But staying in something you no longer want will hurt you both in the

being alone with Zaid this past