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 not

was here. I was angry.

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

my eyes.

guess I

at my hands, fingers resting

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

you," I say again,

1/3

Chapter 246

"I mean it."

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

call."

chuckles, then shifts the bag off his shoulder

also came

pulls out a folder

frown, confused.

it." He nods toward the

freeze. It's a deed. To this

"Is this?

Jake nods once.

shaking my head. "Jake, I can't accept

not from me,"

Lblink at him. "What?"

were younger, I gave them each a chunk of money. Told them to invest it,

runs cold through

when everything settled, he told me he wanted it

hard I can barely hear him anymore. The tears come before I can stop them, hot and fast and overwhelming. I didn't

time.

never have. And now part of me wonders if

want me to tell you, but I