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All I can really focus on is the fact that I’m in Aiden’s arms. I’m still trying to regain my balance and redirect my vision, but everything is blurry.
His embrace is warm, welcoming, but he’s so tense. His fingers dig into my back, holding me as if I might crumble to the ground. I’m trying to focus on his steady breathing, on anything but the sickening twist in my stomach as Sadie and Zaid approach our table.
His arms tighten, and I know they’re in front of us. I lift my eyes from the ground and the breath in my lungs freezes.
Zaid’s eyes are locked on me, his expression guarded but intense. I swallow thickly, hating the way his dark eyes burn me. It’s like he’s trying to gauge how much damage he’s done by bringing Sadie here.
1 feel betrayed, blindsided. The one person who had stood by me when Sadie’s jealousy had spiraled out of control is now the one walking beside her, bringing her into this.
Aiden’s hold tightens even more and I do not grimace from the pain. Honestly, anything other than the feeling of betrayal is a welcome thing.
Aiden’s voice is cold as he glares at his brother. “Are you insane? You think it’s okay to bring her here?”
Sadie rolls her eyes, her painted smile sharp. “At least Zaid knows how to treat me right.”
My eyes slice to her, my stomach churning at the sight of her manicured fingernails running up and down his arm.
“Not like you,” she finishes with a sugary venom, her gaze taking in Aiden.
Zaid’s jaw tightens at her words, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. He doesn’t respond to her, though. Instead, his dark eyes return to me.
I meet his stare, unable to mask the hurt radiating from my chest. He was the one who saved me from Will. The one who took me to that tiny diner after Sadie had me attacked.
And now? Now, he was the one bringing Sadie here, like a taunt. Like a game.
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My stomach churns violently. I think I’m going to be sick.
“I’ll be right back,” I say to Aiden, my voice wavering.
His brow furrows, concern flickering in his eyes. “Alina-”
“I’m fine,” I insist, forcing a shaky smile. “Stay here, okay? Please.”
He hesitates, clearly torn, but finally nods. I slip from his arms and walk quickly toward the house, trying to ignore the weight of Zaid’s gaze burning into my back.
The kitchen is nearly empty, most of the staff busy outside. I lean over the sink, clutching the counter as I try to steady my breathing. The pain in my stomach refuses to ease, and flashes of Will’s face creep into my mind.
His hands around my neck.
The way he threw me across the bathroom.
My breath wavers.
I shake my head violently, gripping the counter harder. Not now, Alina. Don’t fall apart
now.
“Hey.”
The word startles me. My body stiffens as I grip the counter harder, the voice sending a shiver down my spine.
I turn slowly, already knowing who it is. Zaid stands in the doorway, his hands shoved into his pockets.
“Leave me alone,” I snap, anger flaring in my chest.
His eyes darken as they sweep over me, taking in the dress I’m wearing, the way it clings to my legs. There’s something almost feral in his gaze, molten heat that makes my skin crawl and burn at the same time.
He shakes his head, stepping closer. “I don’t want to leave you alone.”
His eyes are still on my legs, and I shift them nervously. The words send a bolt of
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frustration through me.
I scoff, my back pressing against the counter as he keeps closing the distance.
“Stop,” I say sharply, my voice trembling.
Zaid exhales slowly, his head tilting slightly as he leans in, close enough that I catch the faintest scent of alcohol mingling with his cologne.
“Are you drunk?” I ask, disgust evident in my tone.
His lips curl into a smirk, and his eyes drop to my lips, his hands still in his pockets. He shrugs. “Had a few drinks.”
I glare at him, my chest heaving. “You’re disgusting.”
His eyes flare, and they lift to my eyes. He presses closer and I’m forced to almost sit on the countertop.
“Zaid,” I hiss.
He inhales, nose brushing my neck.
I shove at him. “Stop! You don’t get to act like this. Not after what you’ve done. Bringing
her here-”
I stop before my voice cracks, and I hate myself for it.
Zaid’s smirk falters, replaced by something softer, something almost regretful.
“Why did you do it?” I whisper, looking for his humanity.
His jaw clenches.
“You know what she did to me.”
He wipes the tear from my cheek, and I surprisingly don’t flinch at his touch. His eyes move around my face, like they’re eating me, taking me in.
“Now you know how it feels,” he whispers.
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I frown, blinking through my tears. “What?”
He takes a step back, breathing in as he shoves his hands back in his pockets. “How I feel when I see you with Aiden.”
My jaw drops open. “That’s not even…that’s not even close to being the same thing.”
He tilts his head. “Oh?”
“What has Aiden done to you that could even be remotely close to what Sadie had done to
me?”
He inhales. “That night, when I got arrested-”
But before he can say anything else, Aiden walks into the kitchen, Sadie hot on his heels.
“Leave her the fuck alone, Zaid,” Aiden sneers, grabbing my hand and taking me upstairs
with a forceful pull.
Zaid watches after me, eyes dark and angry,
I follow after him, and my anger burns like a wildfire. Anger at Zaid for bringing Saide and anger at Aiden for ending the conversation between us.
I notice Aiden has that bottle of champagne in one hand and I close my eyes, breathing slowly as I look forward to shutting down and forgetting all the things Zaid makes me
feel.
Tonight, I want to be numb.
