His Unveiled Passion

Chapter 178

The silence in the room was absolute, making the vibration of the phone sound particularly clear. Stephen glanced at the screen. It was Tessa calling.

His gaze darkened slightly as he picked up. His voice was hoarse. "Hello, Tessa."

Hearing his raspy voice, Tessa immediately asked with concern, "What's wrong? Did something happen on your way back?"

"No."

A brief silence followed.

Tessa hesitated before softly reporting, "I've arrived safely. The journey was smooth, and this place is well-hidden. The lady taking care of me is kind and attentive. Everything is fine."

But she swallowed the words, "Except I can't see you. Except I miss you terribly and can't stop worrying about you."

Now wasn't the time for sentimentality. Stephen still had important things to do. All she could do was listen to him and stay put, just as he had asked.

Stephen gave a hum of acknowledgment. Tessa noticed his unusual coldness today. Perhaps he was still processing everything that had happened earlier.

She hesitated. "I'll hang up now. You must be busy."

Stephen tilted his head back, staring blankly out the window at the blinding sunlight. His eyes reddened as he forced the words out. "Let's break up."

for hesitation. Ralph was right. The Yates family was in legitimate business.

extra day Stephen hesitated, the

slightly, but no words came. A tear slipped down her cheek before she even realized

pause, Tessa's lips trembled as she choked out, "Is it because

"No. I just realized..."

a deep breath, forcing himself to

He continued,

you before because I thought you would be a good fit as my wife. Only a girl

a good family—would be worthy

his

I'm not done having fun. I don't want to spend my entire

villa with a small garden.

had withered, and the

up on the bed, clutching her blanket, crying silently. It had been over an hour

many tears? No matter how much she cried, they

didn't believe Stephen's reason for breaking up-that he wasn't done playing around. That wasn't the kind of person

to be because of

want James

Tessa,

was in a