Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 248

Chapter 248

Elena's brows draw together. "Okay. That's good. I mean, messy, but good. I can't imagine a relationship like that would have worked out long term."

I shrug. "I wasn't thinking long term when I went into it at first. I just wanted to feel good then and there, that was all that mattered to me."

"You're thinking long term now?" She asks, voice soft and kind.

I laugh softly. "I think so."

She tilts her head, studying me. "You're not gonna backtrack on Italy are you?"

My throat tightens, and I bite the inside of my cheek, blinking hard against the sting behind my eyes. "No, I'm going."

A pause.

"I love him, Elena. I love Zaid so much it hurts. But I want to be the kind of woman who deserves him. So I'm going to find myself. Heal. Grow. Come back whole. Come back free. And when I do, I'll love him with everything I've got. Like he deserves."

Elena stares at me for a beat, then pulls me into a hug, dish soap and all.

“Good,” she whispers in my ear. “Because I've never seen anyone look at anyone the way he looks at you."

I nod into her shoulder, heart full to bursting, already counting down the days.

you've taken in therapy and in your life

fall without reservation. "I

see him every time I

my broken pieces in place. I didn't mean to cry this

pull back slightly, just enough to glance

Aiden stands there.

crying, his mouth parting like he wants

Elena lets me go.

him, and without a word, reaches up to wipe the tears

a minute," she says gently. And just

slowly, his hands shoved into

still sting. "Yeah, we

His jaw tenses, then loosens again as he steps forward and wraps his

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Chapter 248.

into his

you," he says. "I just, I want

My heart squeezes.

not angry," he continues. "That things are over between us, but I'm gonna miss us. A

him, arms

his waist. "Me,

press his forehead to mine. We stay like that, breathing each other in, not