Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 61

Nightmare

The house is busy. People are running around, yelling at each other across the rooms if they don't have walkie

talkies.

I'm in my room. The door closed, ignoring the sound of people running around. Caterers, planners and decorators

are hustling to make everything look perfect for my mother's

approval.

Tonight's the rehearsal dinner and I'm honestly questioning why they're making it such a big deal. It might as

well just be the wedding. | peer out the window.

The backyard is transforming into something out of a magazine, with twinkling lights and elegant table settings

that feel too extravagant for such a small gathering.

| wonder how much money Jake is putting into this because Lord knows my mother has

none.

| take my tgetting ready, not even bothering to check up on mother. | do my skincare, paint my nails and

soon | Islip into my light orange silk dress.

It's modest, with long sleeves and a high neckline, the hem stopping just above my knees.

Pairing it with nude heels. It's cute, romantic.

| sweep my hair into a loose bun, leaving a few wisps framing my face, and add a touch of natural makeup.

As I'm applying my lipstick, a knock on the door pullsfrom the mirror.

"Cin," | call, pressing my lips together.

Aiden steps in. | smile at him through the mirror and my breath catches.

He's wearing a fitted suit, the dark fabric perfectly complementing his broad shoulders

and sharp jawline. His dark tie is neatly knotted, and his hair is styled just enough to look

both effortless and intentional.

He smiles atand that perfect curve also falters as he whistles, running a hand down

his face.

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Nightmare

"You look..." he starts, but then shakes his head with a grin. "You're stunning." Heat rises to my cheeks as | smile.

"You're not so bad yourself."

He lifts an eyebrow and closes the door behind him before crossing the room.

He stands behind my chair and his hands gently find my waist as he'presses a soft kiss to my jaw. | still smile at

his reflections, pressing my hand to the side of his face.

His lips wander down my jaw to my neck and | take a sharp inhale of breath before pushing him away. "Stop! We

have to head downstairs."

He groans, hands lowering to my legs, trying to lift my dress. "Not even two minutes?"

"No, you're going to mess up my hair and makeup." | turn to face him, shaking my head.

"You're so beautiful, baby," he murmurs against my mouth, helpingstand before he wraps his arm around my

waist.

I pull back, still smiling. "Let's go before my mother sends a search party."

"Good idea," he says, offeringhis arm.

We make our way downstairs and, as we pass the kitchen, Aiden pullsthrough the staff carrying trays of hors

d'oeuvres and champagne flutes. Aiden grabs a couple of appetizers off a tray, handingone as we exchange

mischievous grins.

"Champagne?" he asks, nodding toward a cluster of flutes on the counter.

"Absolutely," | reply, grabbing two glasses, smiling widely.

We toast with a quiet clink and drink quickly, muffling our laughter as we set the empty glasses back down.

"This feels so wrong," | whisper.

"Then we're doing it right," he says, his hand on my ass as we head to the backyard.

“Be appropriate," | chastise, lifting his hand to my waist.

Outside, the scene is breathtaking. The tables are set with flickering candles and floral

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Nightmare

centerpieces. The lights above look so beautiful in the darkening sky. Most of the guests have arrived, mingling

in small groups with glasses in hand.

Aiden and | find a quiet spot near one of the high tables, laughing and chatting about nothing in particular. It

feels good to just be.

He doesn't stop complementing me, his hands looking for ways to touchevery

chance he gets. "All | can think about is getting you out of that dress."

| pretend to be shocked at his words, pressing a hand to my chest. "Maybe I'll let you

after all of this is over."

He smiles, stepping in close to me. "I can sneak up a bottle of champagne."

| hum. "That sounds perfect."

But then Aiden looks over my shoulder and tenses, his expression darkening as he mutters, "You've got to be

fucking kidding me."

"What?" | ask, turning to follow his gaze.

Zaid is stepping out of the house, looking every bit his usual composed self in a crisp black suit. My stomach

tightens at the sight of him, but it's not just Zaid that has my chest clenching, it's the girl by his side.

Her red dress clings to her like it was painted on, her heels clicking against the stone pathway as she walks

beside Zaid, her arm in his.

It's Sadie.

My vision turns blurry, my hearing muffled. Everything feels distant and | can barely hear

Aiden's voice as he calls my name.

My chest aches and | can't breathe.

Why? Why would he bring her here?

| rub my scar on my wrist trying to ground myself, trying to breathe.

My heart lodges in my throat and | turn to Aiden, letting my body fall against his

chest, his arms wrap around me, keepingupright.

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"Why is she here?" | ask, my voice low and shaky.

"I don't know," he says. "Fuck, he's an ass

Zaid's gaze sweeps through the crowd, his expression unreadable until his dark eyes land on me. His lips curve

into a faint smirk, and | swear it's deliberate. "Let's go," Aiden says, his voice sharp as he grabs my hand.

But I don't move. | can't. My feet feel rooted to the ground, my pulse racing as | try

to process what's happening

Why would Zaid bring her here? And why does it feel like she's here for me, not him?

Sadie's eyes meet mine, and she smiles, a sly, knowing expression that makes my stomach

chum.

This rehearsal dinner just beca nightmare.