His Unveiled Passion

Chapter 3

It wasn't until that moment that Zachary seemed to realize Tessa was still there. As if snapping out of a daze, he quickly withdrew his arm from around Wendy's waist and stepped back, distancing himself by a couple of paces.

Noticing the shift in his gaze, Zachary's friends finally registered Tessa's presence. They jumped in quickly, eager to defuse the growing tension.

"Alright, let's keep going. Wendy, if your stomach's acting up, you don't have to drink. If you lose, we'll switch to Truth or Dare instead."

"Great idea. Truth or Dare, it is!"

After steadying himself, Zachary returned to the couch.

He was expecting Tessa to react-perhaps show some jealousy or make a scene, but to his surprise, she said nothing.

Her indifference unsettled him, a nagging unease creeping into his mind.

He couldn't shake the feeling that Tessa was somehow different from how she used to be.

An uncomfortable silence settled between them.

Just as Zachary was about to say something, the teasing voices from across the room interrupted him. "Wendy, you lost again! Truth or dare?"

Zachary's attention snapped back to Wendy, his eyes locking onto hers.

"I choose Dare."

Wendy turned to face him, her gaze meeting his as she flashed a playful, enigmatic smile.

"Alright, here are the dares," someone called out, holding up a stack of paper slips. "Go ahead and pick one!"

Wendy casually grabbed a slip, and as the person unfolded it, his eyes widened in disbelief.

He shot a nervous glance between Wendy, Zachary, and Tessa.

A curious woman leaned in to take a look. "What does it say? Let me see!"

She gasped loudly, clearly shocked by what was written on the note.

A wave of curiosity spread through the group.

"What did it say?"

"Come on, tell us! What's on the note?"

"Randomly choose someone of the opposite sex and kiss them," the man read aloud, his eyes darting toward Zachary.

The moment Zachary heard those words, his face froze.

A chill seemed to fall over the room as if the temperature had dropped.

a carefree smile, she stood up and walked over to a

if

face was twisted in a

tense silence, Wendy leaned in closer, slipping her arms around

voice boomed

room, pulling her along. The others exchanged

of the juice on the table, flashing a casual smile. "What are you all staring at?" The others quickly turned away, pretending to focus

her juice, a coldness settled in her heart with

and composed, as if nothing could ever disturb him. This was

her glass was empty, Tessa stood up and

the voices of several women chatting near the sink

believe he left his girlfriend here

the one he cares

face? When Wendy was about to kiss Andy,

it. Her girlfriend is really pitiful, having to watch her boyfriend fall

It's obvious she's just there to fill

I think Zachary and Tessa are on their way out. It's pretty clear he's in love with Wendy." "Yeah, I

woman froze, her gaze meeting Tessa's reflection as she stepped out of one

other two women noticed Tessa too. Without another word, they

approached the mirror, washing her hands with an air of composure. Indeed, she and Zachary were likely nearing

he had decided it, or because he didn't want her

because she didn't love him anymore and

...

back to Zachary's villa, it was already past

After a quick shower, she crawled into bed and fell

gaze immediately fell on a suitcase sprawled open on the floor.

back. I'm planning to

quite a bit-clothes, shoes, and various odds and ends. While some things weren't worth taking back to Rivertown, everything still had to

she left, there would

the unmistakable red marks on Zachary's neck. She paused for a moment, then quickly averted her eyes, pretending she hadn't seen them at all. She had already

with anyone else didn't matter to her

frowned as he processed her words. "Why the sudden urge to go back home?

miss my parents and

softened at her response. "I guess going home for a visit

they'd been together, Tessa had never returned

the holidays, she spent

skipped the New Year with his family to be with her, nor had he ever taken her

Morgenstern, would never accept a woman without a solid family background. After a brief pause, he spoke again. "I've been really busy lately, so I won't be able to go with you. When's your flight? I'll have the chauffeur take

few of her favorite clothes and laid them neatly on the bed. She folded each piece meticulously before packing them into

call a ride. Someone will be there

response, Zachary couldn't help but let out a quiet sigh

she might ask him to go with her

now, and for most couples, it would be the time to meet