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."

I press my hand lightly against my chest and nod, my smile

it,"

her head, taking a sip of

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

something proud. "That's

chew on my lip, not knowing how I want this conversation to go. I've been in Italy one hundred days now. I've read one hundred of Zaid's

as she adjusts, then says

tucking a loose piece of hair behind my ear. "There are days

a little.

I'm proud of them. I can't

amazing, Alina. Seriously. Want to tell

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Chapter 253

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

little, the way it always does when

go still for a moment, twisting my fingers together in my lap. I breathe

of guilt like a leaf floating down

voice that tells me it's my fault.

gently. "It probably always will be, but

in another slow breath, just like

my

not

alone.

up, I acknowledge it, name it, guilt, sadness, regret, and then I remind myself: thoughts are not facts. I don't have to believe

beams at me, so proud.

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

just gives me the space to think and speak, to sit in it for a second. "That's good, Alina. Really good. All we can do is control how we react to those thoughts. They are not always

realizing how many times I

turns a little mischievous. "And how's a certain someone