His Unveiled Passion

Chapter 1

When Tessa Yates arrived to pick up Zachary Gomez from the party, she paused at the doorway, her steps faltering as she overheard the conversation inside.

"Zachary, Wendy's back in town. What are you going to do about Tessa?"

Zachary's voice was calm, almost detached. "What about her?"

"You've been with Tessa for three years now, haven't you? Now that Wendy's back, who's it going to be?" Through the gap in the door, Tessa saw Zachary light a cigarette.

Amid the thick haze of smoke, he fell quiet for a moment, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not sure what to do. I don't want to hurt Tessa, but I can't walk away from Wendy."

One of his friends let out a weary sigh. "Wendy was your first love. You two shared that intense, unforgettable connection. It's only natural that you'd still be holding on."

Another chimed in, "But seriously, Tessa's been with you for three years. She's beautiful too. Why can't you let go of Wendy?"

Zachary rubbed his temples, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "Tessa is beautiful, no doubt. I pursued her because she reminded me of Wendy. All these years, I've been chasing Wendy's shadow through her."

"So, Tessa's just a stand-in?" his friend sighed. "Honestly, I'm starting to feel bad for her."

Another friend asked, "When do you plan on breaking up with her, then?"

Zachary casually tapped the ash from his cigarette. "I'm not sure yet. Tessa's compliant and

understanding. Honestly, I'm kind of reluctant to end things."

His friend gave him a firm pat on the shoulder. "Zachary, you can't keep playing both sides like this. You need to make a decision."

"What's the big deal? Just juggle both of them," another friend added nonchalantly. "If you feel bad about Tessa, buy her some gifts to make it up to her. Women are pretty easy to win over, you know."

Zachary let out a mocking laugh. "Not everyone is like you, juggling three or four women at once. I'm not that reckless."

Outside the door, Tessa gave a bitter smile before turning away and walking off.

Once she was outside the restaurant, she strolled along the riverside, her mind swirling with memories of the past three years with Zachary.

For three years, she had thought their relationship was built on love, but now, she realized she had simply been a replacement for Zachary's first love.

Standing by the water, Tessa felt torn between two worlds. To her left, the city's busy streets pulsed with life; to her right, the river stretched out, merging with the dark horizon.

A tear quietly slid down her cheek as the strong wind from the water tousled her hair.

In that instant, she made a decision.

Taking out her phone, she dialed a number.

"Hello, Dad. I've made up my mind. I'll come home and go through with the arranged marriage."

the streetlights seem

endless night sky, her voice calm, almost detached. "It's nothing. I've had my share of fun.

my fault back then. I was reckless and immature. I shouldn't have fought with you or run away from home. I realize that

back to Rivertown as soon as I take care of things

...

by the time she returned to Evergreen Villa, it was

she stepped inside, the housekeeper, Emma Grant, greeted her with a bowl

soup.

it up again. I

word, Tessa took the bowl and headed

the desk area empty. The computer screen glowed faintly, but

water came from the bathroom, where the light still

was he showering

the bowl of soup down

the constant pinging of WhatsApp notifications

moved the mouse and clicked to open

a message from

My flight lands at Haverford Airport at 11:30 p.m. Can you come pick me up?" The message had only been sent

getting ready to pick up his first

years apart. I could never forget you, and I regret so deeply breaking up with you to focus on

to admit our true feelings. But deep down, I believe you still care

the years, I've had a few relationships, but none of them ever lasted. Every time I was with someone, something always felt wrong. Now I realize the one

I feared you still hated me, and I couldn't stand

a mistake back then. Zachary, can you ever

stared at the messages in silence, the

close the chat and leave, a new

just one thing I need to

shower, he was

Tessa's heart sank.

days were packed with work, leaving him little time to respond

had grown used to it, rarely messaging him anymore to avoid interrupting his busy schedule. However,

contrast between love and indifference could not have been

came almost instantly. "Yes, I

come pick

the mouse back in place, pretending nothing had changed. She then went to the kitchen and served herself a bowl of the soup she had made for Zachary.

a sensitive stomach, so Tessa had perfected the chicken noodle soup just for

then add them to a pot of boiling chicken broth, letting it simmer

because he had once mentioned liking it, she'd been making it for him for two

Tessa had finished her soup, Zachary

dried his hair, and

go? I didn't

for a

need to take care of. If you're tired, you can go ahead and sleep. You