Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 253

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Secrets of Us: A Forbidden Love Romance

Chapter 253

I scroll through the photos on my phone slowly. I can't help the feelings that ignite

in my stomach just by looking at a picture of

him.

I brush my thumb over his lips, thinking about kissing him. Thinking about his breath across my skin.

I keep scrolling, photo after photo blinks up at me. Me and Zaid smiling in front of the lake, him asleep on the couch after one of our movie nights.

He was extremely supportive of me taking as many pictures as I wanted during that last week he had together. He joked that it would make him more secure with the fact that I wouldn't forget him

As if I could ever forget him.

I have a lot of closeups of just him, too. His dark hair a mess, his sleepy smile soft and real. I trace his face with my fingertip and feel the ache settle low in my chest.

The video call ringtone chimes, and I swipe to answer it just as my stomach flutters with nerves. Cami's face appears on the screen, her new electric blue hair wild around her face.

I can't help but smile. "I love the new look."

She grins and flips a piece of it over her shoulder. "Thanks, babe. I've been wanting blue hair since I was like ten, thought it was

time for me to try it out."

"Well, it looks really good," I smile.

She looks me over. "I appreciate the compliment, but you look good, too. So much

more

peaceful."

press

feel it," I tell

She tilts her head, taking a sip of

where I am even when I'm missing home so much it feels like I can't

something proud. "That's

now. I've read one hundred of Zaid's letters, each one leaving me more raw and

settles back, the video shaking slightly as she adjusts, then says "How's

hard," I admit, tucking a loose piece of hair behind my ear. "There are days where I just stare at the canvas and think, what the

laughs a little.

proud. The pieces I've finished, I'm proud of

Alina. Seriously. Want

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Chapter 253

it to be a surprise. I'll show them to you when I get

drops a little, the way it always does when she's about to

lap. I breathe in slowly, trying to follow the rhythm I've been practicing. Grounding my

of guilt like a leaf floating down a

little voice that tells me it's my fault. That they would still be here

like she expected that and then speaks gently. "It probably always will be, but that doesn't

in another slow breath,

me, mimicking my breathing, so I

not

alone.

learning how to reframe those thoughts. When it comes up, I acknowledge it, name it, guilt, sadness, regret, and then I remind myself:

me,

down at me and see me living. Really living. Not stuck. Not

it for a second. "That's good, Alina. Really good. All we can

many times I

a minute, her grin turns a little mischievous. "And how's