His Unveiled Passion novel Chapter 81

Quentin looked at Tessa meaningfully and said, "Tess, back then, I didn't realize that Stephen was beating that guy up because he liked you.

"I just thought he was stepping in for you like a brother would. It wasn't until recently that I figured out Stephen's feelings for you had been growing for a long time."

Tessa felt a wave of emotions after hearing Quentin's story. She had gripped her wine glass so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.

She never expected Stephen to go so far as to beat someone up for her, to the point of almost killing him too.

Suddenly, she felt fear wash over her. She was afraid of dragging him down.

Stephen had always been the kind of person whom parents would often see as a good role model, while teachers regarded him as an exemplary student.

Meanwhile, people his age would see him as a talented man who was so far ahead of them that they had no chance of catching up to him.

His future was bright. If he ended up shouldering the burden of taking a life for her sake, she would never forgive herself.

She blinked, her nose tingling and feeling slightly stuffy.

…

It was already way past midnight by the time Tessa and Stephen returned to Marina Apartment.

The night wind was cold, and the moonlight cast a light in the dark atmosphere.

Tessa got out of the car without saying a word and walked straight ahead with her head down.

Stephen followed behind her into the apartment. "Tess, don't be mad."

Tessa did not respond.

When they reached her unit, Tessa tried to close the door behind her, but Stephen forced his way inside with a hurt expression. "Tess, are you afraid of me?"

His voice was filled with unease as he explained, "Don't be afraid of me. I don't have violent tendencies, and I'd never resort to domestic violence. I was just provoked that day. The things he said about you made me furious. I couldn't stand hearing someone talk about you like that."