Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 246

Secrets of Us: A Forbidden Love Romance

Chapter 246

My breath stutters. I blink, trying to see if he is a dream, a figment my imagination,

But he's there, standing, real. He doesn't look angry, just looks at me with a soft smile. He has one hand in his pocket, the other holding a bag slung over his shoulder.

"What are you doing here?" I repeat, tightening my fingers around the doorframe.

He smiles more, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I needed to talk to you," he says. "Get some things off my chest."

I glance toward the driveway instinctively. Aiden and Zaid won't be back for at least another hour. My heart beats a little faster. I don't know if it's nerves or the memory of our last encounter rising up in my chest.

Still, I step back and let him in.

Maybe I'm overreacting. Maybe this is closure, and he really is here with good intentions.

We walk into the living room, and I keep a respectable distance as I sit on the edge of the couch. Jake hovers near the fireplace before finally sitting too, hands clasped together between his knees.

His eyes flick over me, settling for a second too long on the paint stains on my apron. His expression softens.

"I didn't know you were into painting," he says, voice quieter than before.

I swallow the lump in my throat.

"I remember when Zaid got you some art stuff for Christmas, but I guess I didn't realize how much you actually liked it."

I shift in my seat, arms crossing over my chest. "Yeah," I say, not sure what else to say.

He lets out a slow breath, almost like a sigh. "Just means I never really knew you, huh?"

My teeth catch the inside of my cheek. I don't know what to say to that either. I settle for a question. "Why are you here, Jake?”

His gaze lifts to meet mine again, more honest this time. "I wanted to apologize."

my throat and I try

I was angry. Hurt. And I wanted someone to

for that." I say. And I mean it. The apology doesn't erase everything, but

my eyes.

I guess I wasn't expecting it.

down at my hands, fingers resting in my

his mind. Really made me think about things. And I

you," I

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Chapter 246

"I mean it."

at him and nod, offering him a smile. It quickly turns into frown. "This is nice and all, but

call."

his shoulder and places it on the

But I also came to give you

pulls out a folder

confused. "What is

open it." He nods toward the manilla folder in

open slowly and freeze. It's a deed. To this

open. "Is this? This house?

Jake nods once.

my head. "Jake, I can't accept something like this

not from

Lblink at him. "What?"

the back of his neck. "When Zaid and Aiden were younger, I gave them each a chunk of money. Told them to invest it,

runs

this house, he used his. Insisted on paying for it himself. And when everything settled,

to my mouth. My heart is thundering so hard I can barely hear him anymore. The tears come before I can stop them, hot and fast and overwhelming. I didn't

time.

Zaid. I never have. And now part of me wonders if I

didn't want me to tell you,