Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 1

By the time I made it to the alumni gathering, everyone was already having a blast.

Among the crowd, Hogan Zade sat solemnly at a round table, bathed in the halo of light refracted from the chandelier above. His prominent nose and sharp features looked as if chiseled from fine jade – cool, aloof, and impeccable.

Next to him was a girl with a pretty face.

His hand rested casually behind her, every move he made was filled with tenderness.

The bottle for truth or dare just happened to point at the girl.

A busybody, eager to stir the pot, said in a pleasing tone, “Pick someone of the opposite sex here and kiss for two minutes.”

After hearing this, the girl shyly bowed her head and gave Hogan a look that practically screamed ‘rescue me‘, and no one’s heart would not go out to her.

Hogan shot the crowd a look, and in a soft voice said, “Cut it out, she’s shy.”

When he said ‘cut it out‘, nobody dared to push her further. But out of respect for the game rules, Hogan still downed his drink.

It was pretty clear he was looking out for her.

The teasing and jeering continued, but nobody noticed me standing in the corner.

I touched the scar on my wrist, turning away quietly.

“Xaviera, did you just get here?” Darren Yearwood, the class rep, asked, drawing everyone’s

attention.

“It’s Hogan’s wife.”

with pride now felt like a joke.

all eyes were on me. I forced a smile and said calmly. “Long time

No response.

room fell into an

could hear a pin drop.

now. Who would bother with

was indeed

by Hogan’s side broke the ice. “I know you, Xaviera March, the famous top student belle

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11:35

Chapter 1

softly, it

I’m Cecilia Irwin, also from the computer science department,” she introduced. herself. Then, turning to Hogan, she whispered, “Hogan, why didn’t you

a nonchalant tone, “An insignificant person,

Insignificant.

that was how Hogan saw

when I thought about it, he was

chance to sit by his side openly, even after six

let alone stand up

I always thought Hogan, being so reserved and self–controlled,

we all headed downstairs.

surrounded by

you to drink less, you see, you’re uncomfortable now, right?” Hogan’s response was on point. “You know

she said, “Hogan, don’t walk me out, it hurts to see

laugh through her tears