Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina) novel Chapter 227

Clear and Fragile

I wake up warm, but the comfort in my chest slowly disappears into dread.

The sheets are tangled around my legs, sunlight spilling through the cracks in the curtains, soft and golden. And Jake is beside me, his arm still draped across my waist, our

bodies bare under the covers.

My stomach twists, I struggle to breathe as I close my eyes and cuss to myself under my

breath. Fuck. Fuck.

I used to wake up like this and feel comfort and familiarity. I would sigh and be happy for

the quiet ease of something that made sense.

But now, I just feel guilty, and I don’t know why.

This wasn’t new, this wasn’t wrong. I’ve slept with him before, plenty of times, even when

I knew I was falling for Zaid.

So why does it feel like I did something I shouldn’t have?

I shift carefully, slipping from under the covers without waking him. My pajamas are

spread across the bed. I put them on quickly, trying to ignore the ache in my chest.

I head into the bathroom, and when I look at my reflection; I wince.

I can’t tell if I am as tired and washed out as I look, or if maybe I just don’t like myself

today. Maybe I just don’t like what I see.

I shower in silence, scrubbing my skin until it feels new again. When I step back into the room, Jake is still asleep. I glance at the clock. He’s probably exhausted from the time change. We stayed up so late for him last night.

I give him one last glance before stepping out into the hallway.

The door to Zaid’s room creaks open as I pass. He’s standing there, like he was waiting for me. His smile is soft and sleepy, his hair a little messy, like he just ran his hands through

1. it.

“Hey,” he says.

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Clear and Fragile

“Hey.”

He reaches out, catching my fingers, and tugs me into his room. His lips are on mine before I can think, his body pressing mine gently back against the wall. I melt into him, my arms looping around his neck.

This is what I was looking for. This feels like home.

When he pulls away, his smile turns languid. “Happy birthday, love.”

My heart stutters. It fills so fast I swear it might lift me off the floor. But then he looks at me. Really looks at me. And suddenly I feel like glass, clear and fragile and breakable. I stop breathing.

Can he see right through me?

His hands are on the wall on either side of me, his eyes narrowing just slightly. “You slept with him.”

It’s not a question. I nod slowly. “It just happened.”

He leans back, jaw tight, and then gives me a clipped smile.

“I’m sorry.”

He shakes his head. “No, don’t apologize. It’s fine. We agreed to this, right? Whatever makes you happy.”

I flinch. “Zaid.”

But he’s already pulling the door open. “I want you to have a good day, okay? Have fun.

I’ll be here when you’re ready for dinner with Elena.”

And then he’s gone. Just like that.

I walk out, heart heavy, back down the hall. I wait for Jake to wake up and plaster a fake smile on my face as he wishes me a happy birthday.

We spend the day together. He takes me to brunch, gives me a necklace that I will never use. He seems to notice something’s off, but like me, he avoids the conversation.