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."

and I try

how I was last time I was here. I was angry. Hurt. And I wanted someone to blame. You were the

I mean it. The apology doesn't erase

my eyes.

slightly. "It surprised me. How fast things ended between us. I guess I wasn't expecting it. And if it were up to me, we would still be

hands, fingers resting in

he adds, with a half smile, "Aiden gave me a piece of his mind. Really made me think about things. And I get it now. At least a little. I'm

"Thank you," I

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Chapter 246

"I mean it."

turns into frown. "This is nice and all, but it couldn't have

call."

chuckles, then shifts the bag off his shoulder and places it

maybe. But I also came to

a folder and hands it

confused. "What

it." He nods toward the

flip it open slowly and freeze. It's a deed.

mouth falls open. "Is this? This house? It's

Jake nods once.

say quickly, shaking my head. "Jake,

not from me," he

Lblink at him. "What?"

neck. "When Zaid and Aiden were younger, I gave

runs cold through

on paying for it himself. And when everything settled, he told me

I can stop them, hot and fast and overwhelming. I didn't know

time.

now part of

want me to tell you, but I think you should