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

would you mind if I

glanced at Zachary, whose face was twisted in a storm of anger. He

Wendy leaned in closer, slipping her arms around

Zachary's voice boomed through

pulling her along. The others exchanged nervous glances,

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

a coldness settled in

could ever disturb him. This was the first time she had seen him lose control so

glass was empty, Tessa stood up

the voices of several women chatting near the

can't believe he left his girlfriend here and took off with

Wendy's the one he cares about

Wendy was

pitiful, having to watch her boyfriend fall apart over another woman right in front of

she's just there to

Zachary and Tessa are on their way out. It's pretty clear he's

Tessa's reflection as

noticed Tessa too. Without another word, they

hands with an air of composure. Indeed, she and Zachary were likely

had decided it, or

she didn't love him anymore and because she

...

Tessa got back to Zachary's villa, it was already

she crawled into bed and fell

suitcase sprawled open on the floor. "What's this about?"

out from behind the wardrobe. "You're back.

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

the time she left, there would

She paused for a moment, then quickly averted her eyes, pretending she hadn't seen

did with anyone else didn't matter to her

frowned as he processed her words. "Why the sudden urge to go back home? Are you still upset about last night? Is

just miss my parents and

response. "I guess going home

three years they'd been together, Tessa had

the holidays, she spent

had never once skipped the New Year with his family to be with her,

a solid family background. After a brief pause, he spoke again. "I've been really busy lately,

neatly on the bed. She

Someone will be

response, Zachary couldn't help but

ask him to go with her

been together for three years now, and for most couples,