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."

of the streetlights seem even more

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

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

to Rivertown as soon as I take care of things

...

hours, and by the time she returned to Evergreen Villa, it was well past 10:00

as she stepped inside, the housekeeper, Emma Grant,

soup.

it up again. I was just

word, Tessa took

door open and found the desk area empty. The computer screen glowed

the bathroom, where

he showering

the bowl of soup down on the

was drawn to the constant pinging

moved the mouse and clicked to

was a message

11:30 p.m. Can you come pick me up?"

why Zachary was showering-he was getting ready to pick up his first

never forget you, and I regret so deeply breaking up with you to focus on my

true feelings. But deep down, I believe

them ever lasted. Every time I was with someone, something always felt wrong. Now I realize the one I've

too afraid 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

then. Zachary, can

stared at the messages in silence, the weight

the chat and leave, a new reply

just one thing I need to

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

contrast between love and indifference

almost instantly. "Yes, I still love you. Only

I'll come pick

that instant, Tessa felt as if the past three years with Zachary had been nothing more than a cruel joke. She quietly closed the chat window and set 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. She ate it slowly, savoring

had perfected the chicken

the noodles and vegetables in warm water first, then add them to a pot of boiling chicken broth, letting it simmer over low

that required effort, but because he had once mentioned

had finished her soup, Zachary made

his hair,

did you go? I didn't see you earlier," he

went for a walk," Tessa replied

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