Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina) novel Chapter 222

A Long Story–1

I’m trembling.

It’s subtle, mostly in my hands, the way my fingers twist together in my lap like they’re trying to braid my nerves into something useful instead of completely destructive.

I can feel my nerves everywhere. In the pit of my stomach. In the tightness in my chest. Even my heartbeat feels wrong, like it’s trying to outrun this moment.

The sitting room is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Like from a movie. If I thought Jake was rich, this is a whole new awakening.

Tall ceilings. Gilded crown molding. Paintings on every wall, some classic, some modern, all expensive. Everything smells like lilies and lemon polish. Like wealth.

I sigh, dropping my eyes to the woman sitting in front of me.

Elena Hanson. My aunt.

She sits across from me in an armchair that probably costs more than everything I’ve ever owned in my entire life. She’s dressed in a cream silk blouse and navy trousers, her heels tucked neatly under her chair. Her dark hair is swept back, not a strand out of place, and her lipstick is the exact same shade of mauve that used to stain the edges of my grandmother’s teacups in the only photo I have of her.

She looks like someone important.

And she looks like him.

Her cheekbones, the slope of her nose, the almond shape of her eyes, my eyes. Every little detail makes my heart ache.

She smiles, soft and almost wistful. “You look just like your grandmother when she was younger. I have some pictures I can show you.”

I blink. Swallow hard. My mouth moves before my fear can catch it. “Why have I never

met you before?”

Her expression falls just enough to show the pain behind it. She sighs and smooths her

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A Long Story–1

hands over her knees. “Because I was a coward. Young, but still a coward.”

My breath catches.

“I’m obviously younger than your father,” she says quietly. “His little sister. I adored him. Still do.” Her lips tremble for half a second, but she catches herself.