What I Would Have Done
Zaid and I walk down the stairs together, smiles tugging at our lips, warmth between us. He steals a quick kiss before we reach the kitchen, and I giggle against his mouth, thankful for his gentler side.
We walk into the kitchen, and my eyes go to Aiden first. He’s sitting on a stool at the kitchen island, cradling a coffee mug between his hands. He’s focused on the countertop, as if he’s too deep in thought.
Jake leans against the counter, his focus on his phone.
When they hear our footsteps, the both of them glance up.
Jake blinks like he’s trying to make sure we are really here. His eyes take in the way Zaid’s arm is around my waist, the way I’m leaning into him. The muscle between his brows twitches as his gaze sharpens. “You two didn’t come to bed last night.”
My cheeks flush, and I clear my throat, reaching for a mug as I step away from Zaid. “We slept in Zaid’s room.”
Silence follows as I turn my back to them and pour my coffee. I can feel their eyes on my back, their focus, attention. When I turn back around, Jake is the one to break the silence.
“Aiden told me what happened last night.”
I freeze, my hand mid–air as I reach for a spoon. Zaid is beside me in an instant, his chest brushing the back of my shoulder. My heart rate calms down and I take his touch for what
it is.
Comfort.
I exhale a slow breath and nod. “Yeah. I don’t know what I would have done if they hadn’t shown up.”
Aiden shifts in his seat, looking at me with a guilty frown. “Zaid was getting nervous when you didn’t answer your phone. He wanted to check on you. I thought he was being paranoid.”
I close my eyes for a second, inhaling. I let Zaid’s body heat melt into me. I’m safe
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What I Would Have Done
because of him and I don’t know what I would have done if he hadn’t been there.
When I open my eyes again, Jake’s expression softens, and he steps closer, cupping my face between his hands. His touch is gentle, his eyes searching mine. “Are you okay?”
I lean into him, feeling the loss of Zaid’s touch. “I feel better now, but I’m not looking forward to going to the police station.”
He nods, his fingers brushing my cheek before he leans down, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. I set my mug down, rising onto my toes to kiss him deeper, wrapping my arms around his neck. His arms tighten around me, holding me close.
“I’ll go with you,” he murmurs, his forehead resting against mine. “I’ll make sure you’re okay.”
I nod before glancing at Zaid.
He smiles at me, his eyes filled with so much. “I’ll go with you, too.”
Before I can respond, Aiden stands and strides toward me, wrapping his strong arms around me as he pulls me into a kiss. I gasp against his mouth, my hands flying to his hair, fingers tangling in the strands as he lifts me effortlessly onto the counter. My legs wrap around his waist on instinct, my heart pounding as his lips move against mine.
When he finally pulls back, his forehead rests against mine. “We’ll all go with you.”
A shaky sigh escapes me, relief settling deep in my bones. “Okay.”
Jake grabs his keys, and without another word, we head to the police station.
Once inside, the lump in my throat grows two sizes and I can’t swallow. My stomach turns violently and I am so sure I’m going to be sick. Zaid’s arm around my shoulders is the only thing keeping me upright.
“I’m right here, love.”
I nod against his side, my breath coming out in a shaky mess.
An officer leads me and Jake into a small interview room, a table and two chairs filling the space. Jake sits beside me, making sure his thigh touches mine.
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What I Would Have Done
I’m grateful for that, but all I can do is look at the door and wish it were Zaid in here with
- me.
The detective across from us listens as I recount every painful detail of last night. He’s patient as I struggle through some of the parts. I don’t know how much I can say. Will I get in trouble for being drunk at 18?
Does that even matter at this point?
My voice wavers at times, but I push through, forcing myself to get it all out so that it can
be put to rest.
Jake asks some questions, the officer telling him they have many eye witnesses and can pretty much corroborate my story. He says he can’t say much; the investigation is still ongoing.
I just want to get out of here.
By the time we step out of the room, Jake is seething. His hands are clenched into fists, his jaw tight as he glares at the floor.
“If I had been there, I would’ve punched him,” he growls under his breath.
The police officer escorting us out to the lobby clears his throat. “I understand your
sentiments, but your stepdaughter is safe now, sir. Let us take care of the rest.”
I flinch. Stepdaughter.
Jake stiffens beside me and exhales, his hand pressing against the bottom of my back. “Right.”
We walk toward Zaid and Aiden in silence, and when they see us, they stand. They look
me over, making sure I’m okay.
It seems they’re both satisfied when they see I’m not crying.
I reach for Zaid’s hand, squeezing it gently. “It’s over now.”
He glances at me, his expression softening just a fraction before he nods. I can still see something there. Something that tells me he doesn’t think this is really over.
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What I Would Have Done
We make our way back to the car.
“There’s a video already circulation of Mr. Admas being escorted to booking.”
My heart drops into the pit of my stomach. “What?”
Zaid shifts, looking over the passenger seat at the phone on Aiden’s lap. “Is Alina’s name anywhere?”
Aiden shakes his head. “Not that I see.”
I feel the tears finally prick the back of my eyes. I don’t need this. Don’t want this. My name might not be out there, but how long until it is?
I know what it feels like to be the center of media attention, of being talked about around town. I can’t do that again.
I can’t.
