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."

night made the faint glow of the streetlights seem even more insignificant, their light drawing swarms of tiny insects that

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

fault back then. I was reckless and immature. I shouldn't

Rivertown as soon as I take care of things

...

alone outside for hours, and by the time she returned to Evergreen

soon as she stepped inside, the housekeeper, Emma

soup.

right? I noticed it had cooled, so I warmed it up again. I was just about to take it upstairs, but since you're here, would you like to

Tessa took the

empty. The computer screen glowed faintly, but

of running water came from the bathroom, where the light

he showering so

placed the bowl of soup down on the

to the constant pinging of WhatsApp notifications

mouse and clicked to

was a message from

My flight lands at Haverford Airport at 11:30 p.m. Can

why Zachary was showering-he was getting ready

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

But deep down, I believe you still care about me,

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

and I couldn't

a mistake back then. Zachary, can you ever

messages in silence, the weight in her chest almost

chat and

I need to ask-do you still

shower, he was replying to

Tessa's heart sank.

with work, leaving him little time to respond to

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

stark contrast between love and indifference could not have

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

I'll come

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

stomach, so Tessa had perfected the chicken noodle

the noodles and vegetables in warm water first, then add them to a pot of boiling chicken broth, letting it simmer over low heat. Near the end, she'd gently stir

he had once mentioned liking it, she'd

soup,

dried his hair, and changed

did you go? I didn't

a walk," Tessa replied

you're tired, you can go ahead and sleep. You don't need to wait for me,"