Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina) novel Chapter 71

Just the Three of Us

I walk through the house with all of my senses dulled. I can’t hear, think, or feel anything.

My breath is coming out in harsh pants, and I step back outside to the backyard. The laughter and clinking of glasses feels distant, like it’s happening behind a veil.

Everything is muffled under the weight of what I’ve just learned.

Aiden. Zaid. That night. The secrets.

Zaid is a few steps behind me. I can hear his steps. I let out of sigh of relief. I didn’t know he made me feel this way. He always wound me up so tight. This feeling is new and

welcome.

I can’t shake the image of him in my mind, broken and desperate.

I want to cry because I have never met anyone who could understand me like he does. He was in the car accident that killed his mother, and he still carries the scars associated

with that. He still carries the guilt.

Like me.

He protected Aiden at the cost of his own future. At the cost of his reputation. At the cost

of himself.

My heart aches as I glance back at him briefly. Zaid looks calm, almost unreadable, but his

eyes meet mine, dark and holding me together in a way that feels like it’s pulling me

apart at the same time.

Is it possible that I feel so much more for him than I’ve let myself believe?

I move forward on autopilot, my heels clicking against the floor. The crowd of guests swirls around me, faces blurring. And then I see Jake laughing, charming as ever, leaning slightly toward my mother as they speak with a group of people.

The air rushes from my lungs. Does he know? My step falters, and my chest tightens as my thoughts spin out of control.

Has Jake known this whole time that Aiden was the one behind the wheel?

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Just the Three of Us

Did he help cover it up?

“Breathe, love,” Zaid murmurs, his voice low and right behind me.

His hand finds the small of my back, warm and grounding. My body leans into his touch without permission, desperate for something steady. I give myself a few seconds and slow my breathing until it’s somewhat controlled.

I inhale shakily, and he steps closer, his voice brushing against my ear. “You can confront Aiden later. The night’s almost over.”

I nod, though my mind feels far from settled. His hand lingers a second longer before falling away, leaving me colder than I was a moment ago.

Before I can think of what to say, Aiden walks up to us, weaving through the crowd toward me, his face twisted in mild annoyance.

“Where’ve you been?” he asks, his eyes flicking to Zaid briefly before settling on me.

can’t shake off.

3:14 pm II II Iп

Finally, Jake and my mother announce their goodbyes, ready to leave for their hotel before flying out to Europe in the morning. I stand with the others to see them off, my chest tightening as my mother hugs me briefly, her perfume cloying and familiar.