Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina) novel Chapter 224

Hard Already

1 Week Later

The box sits in the center of the kitchen island like some object that can tell us the future.

It’s not wrapped in bright paper or topped with a bow, just a sleek black box with gold edging. It’s paired with a white envelope and my name is written in calligraphy across the textured paper.

Zaid stands beside me, arms crossed, frowning at it like it personally insulted him. “You gonna open it?”

I tilt my head, studying it with a squint. “I don’t even know what to open. It looks like it might just be for decor?”

He raises an eyebrow. “A box for decor?”

I shrug, lifting the thing gently. It’s heavier than I expected. “She’s rich. You should know

how rich people are. You are one.”

Zaid lets out a short laugh. “There’s money rich, like my dad. And then there’s rich rich like your aunt. That’s a whole other breed.”

I grin at him, shaking my head. With a heavy sigh. I walk the box to our newly furnished living room and set it on the coffee table.

I’ll open the envelope tomorrow, on my actual birthday.

When I walk back into the kitchen, Zaid already has ingredients out for dinner. His sleeves are pushed up, and he’s chopping a zucchini and mushrooms, while the steaks sit out with salt and pepper.

I lean against the counter, watching him, taking in the way his forearms moves.

“What do you want to do tomorrow?” He glances at me, a small smile pulling at his lips.

I blink at him and then frown. “I don’t know. But my aunt wants to take us out for

dinner.”

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11:34 pm

Hard Already

His smile widens. “So I have all day tomorrow with you until then?”

I nod. “We could just get breakfast somewhere. Walk around. I don’t care. I just want to spend the whole day with you.”

His smile fades, his expression pulling tight. Like the words hurt.

I frown. “What?”

Zaid keeps chopping, slower now. “Nothing.”

“Zaid.”

He sets the knife down, hands braced on the edge of the counter. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”

My heart stutters. I move toward him. “Do what?”

He lifts his eyes, and they’re full of so much longing and frustration. “Stay away from

you.”

I stop just inches from him. “Then don’t.”

He exhales sharply, his jaw tightening. “Alina, we’ve only been here two weeks.”

I nod, trying to read the expression on his face.

“You started therapy. You met your aunt. You’re lighter. You look happier.”

“I am happier,” I whisper, wanting to show him that most of that is because of him.

“You smile so much more,” he mutters, looking at me in a way that has my stomach.

I feel my heart turn light in my chest.

“I don’t want to be the reason that stops,” he confesses.

My chest aches. I reach for his hand, curling my fingers around his. “You won’t be. I promise I won’t stop trying. I won’t stop working on me, on all of this.”

Zaid lets out a quiet, strangled sound, like he’s being tortured and tempted all at once.

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Hard Already

“What if we just take it slow?” I whisper. “No sex. Just this. Holding hands. Kissing. Being

I swallow, my stomach souring from the nerves. “You think that means we can’t be

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