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."

made the faint glow of the streetlights seem even

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

I shouldn't have fought with you or run

come back to Rivertown as soon

...

the time she returned to Evergreen Villa, it was well

the housekeeper, Emma Grant,

soup.

warmed it up again. I was

word, Tessa took the

door open and found the desk area empty. The computer screen glowed faintly, but Zachary was nowhere

came from the bathroom, where the light still burned

was he showering

bowl of

the constant pinging

moved the mouse and clicked to open the

a message from

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

why Zachary was showering-he was getting

years apart. I could never forget you, and I regret so

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

lasted. Every time I was with someone, something always felt wrong. Now

to return to Haverford because I feared you still hated me, and I couldn't stand the thought of seeing you with someone else. I was scared you

then. Zachary, can

messages in silence, the weight in her

as she was about to close the chat and

one thing I need to ask-do you still

in the shower, he was replying to her

Tessa's heart sank.

were packed with work, leaving him little time to respond

it, rarely messaging him anymore to avoid interrupting his busy schedule. However, Wendy's messages were a different story-Zachary always found time to reply, even while in

and indifference

almost instantly. "Yes, I still love

come pick you

set the mouse back in place, pretending nothing

stomach, so Tessa had perfected

add them to a pot of boiling chicken broth, letting it simmer over low heat. Near the

a dish that required effort, but because he had once

soup, Zachary made his

finished his shower, dried his hair, and changed into a

did you go? I didn't see you

went for a

take care of. If you're tired, you can go ahead and sleep. You don't need to wait for me," Zachary mentioned as he headed