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.”

title I once wore with pride now felt like a joke.

on me. I forced a smile and said calmly. “Long time no

No response.

room fell into an awkward silence.

could hear a pin drop.

have found his match now. Who would bother with me,

was indeed ill-timed./

broke the ice. “I know you, Xaviera March, the famous top student

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11:35

Chapter 1

so softly, it was impossible to

the computer science department,” she introduced. herself. Then, turning to

and said with a nonchalant tone, “An insignificant person, why bring her up?”

Insignificant.

was how Hogan saw

thought about it,

how come I never had the chance to sit by his side openly, even after six

let alone stand

being so

the party ended, we all headed

Cecilia were surrounded by people

you’re uncomfortable now, right?” Hogan’s response was on point. “You know the

don’t walk me out, it hurts to see you like

her laugh through