Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 238

Chapter 238

It takesa while to realize I'm in Zaid's bed when | first open my eyes to the

morning

sun.

His arms are wrapped around my waist, our legs tangled together like we fell asleep like that and never wanted

to separate. His chest rises and falls behind my back, his breath

warm on my neck.

My body shivers and | try to hold back the laugh that wants to bubble from my chest. I'm grinning like an idiot,

though.

My heart takes on an odd beat in my chest. Maybe | don't have to leave. Maybe | don't

have to go to Florence with my aunt.

Because what if what I'm looking for is already here?

| turn slowly, careful not to wake him, and look at him. He has this crease between his brows even in sleep, like

there's always something weighing on him in his thoughts. His lips are parted slightly, and | swear | could spend

the rest of my day looking at him.

Memorizing his features.

| lean forward and kiss the corner of his mouth, not able to help myself. His brow twitches and my smile widens. |

kiss him again.

He stirs, his eyes fluttering open, heavy with sleep. A sleepy smile curves his lips.

"Did you just kiss me?" he asks, voice rough with sleep.

| giggle, turning to lie on my stomach as | set my arms on his chest, propping my chin. "Maybe."

He smiles down at me. "Morning."

"Morning," | whisper back.

He leans in and kissesagain, unhurried. And for a few heartbeats, there's nothing but the warmth of his

mouth and the way his hands find my waist beneath the sheets.

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Chapter 238

We shower together, stealing lazy kisses beneath the water, and | keep catching myself smiling. The kind of

smile that creeps up without permission, the kind that belongs to

someone happy.

There have been only a handful of times where I've felt like that since my dad and Alex passed away. But this

feels like something that could last a lifetime.

Downstairs, Zaid moves around the kitchen, bare feet against the hardwood, coffee brewing and music playing

low. He's humming softly, and | can't stop staring at him. He's only wearing pants, and it's the best knowing that

he feels comfortable enough aroundto not care or even mention his scars.

He's always been beautiful to me.

My phone buzzes on the counter, and | glance at it.

Aunt Elena: Just sent you all the details for the trip! It's official. Italy, here we come! June 4th. | know you're still

thinking about it, but I'm so excited for us.

| read the words over and over again. Just an hour ago, | was content with the thought of staying here with Zaid.

Now, I'm rethinking everything.

My stomach flips, twisting around itself. | stare at the screen for a long time, the

excitement | felt just yesterday, and the comfort | felt this morning now clouded by doubt. | set the phone down

quietly, swallowing.

Zaid places the coffee in front of me, his eyes swinging fromto my phone and back at me. "Is everything

okay?"

| press my lips together as | grab the mug. "Elena just texted me."

"Oh?" He raises an eyebrow and takes a sip of his coffee.

"She sentthe information for the trip. We would head out in June," | say,

fingers tightening around the mug.

His smile falters for just a second. A flash of sadness in his eyes, like he's trying to hide it

before I can catch it. But | see it.

He forces his smile back and nods softly. "That's good. It's soon, but good."

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Chapter 238

| can't help it. The words tumble out before | even fully form them. "You could cwith us?"

He stills. His hand is resting on the edge of the counter, and | see the way his fingers curl slightly before he

inhales and turns to face me. His expression is gentle, but firm. "I can't, Alina."

Something insidedrops. "Oh."

He steps closer, reaching out, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. His fingers linger there, just brushing my

skin.

"| want to," he says quietly. "God, | want to. But | have things | need to figure out too. Parts ofI still have to

face. And I'm sure your aunt would have invitedtoo if she thought it was a good idea."

Whatever high | was feeling from last night crumples in an instant.

He steps closer, pressing his forehead to mine. "Trust me, love, if this is real, then

a year is nothing compared to the rest of our lives."

| blink fast, the heat in my throat rising. "But what if it changes? What if we change?"

He lifts my chin gently. "We will change. That's the point. You're going there to grow. To find yourself. | want that

for you. | want you to cback knowing, loving yourself more than anything."

| stare at him, my heart a storm.

"What if you don't wantanymore?" | ask, quieter than | mean to.

His eyes shine with that aching, honest kind of love.

"I'll want you every fucking day," he says.

"You say that now, but what if-"

He doesn't letfinish, pressing his lips to mine and wrapping his hand behind

my neck. He tilts his head to get deeper access, devouring me.

When we pull apart, I'm struggling for breath.

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Chapter 238

"You have to trust me," he whispers.

| swallow, nodding. There is no one | trust more than him.

"You don't have to doubt what we are, Alina. I'm not going anywhere. You'll come

back and I'll be here, doing what | know best. Waiting for you. Loving you."

He presses a kiss to my forehead and turns around to start on breakfast.

| stand there with my heart beating out of my chest, wondering how it's possible

for

someone to makefeel like I'm flying.

I'm still scared of leaving, still unsure of being away from him for so long. But Zaid

has a way of calming me, of bringingto understand that even in the chaos, there is still

peace.

He's right.

If this is real, and | believe with everything inthat it is, then tand distance

won't break it.

And when | cback, I'll cback not as someone trying to be whole, but as someone who is. As someone

who has something to give.