Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 66
I made an excuse and ducked out of the backyard.
Meanwhile, in the spacious kitchen, Cecilia was in a tizzy, scrambling to get the
ingredients ready.
When she saw me, it was like I was her knight in shining armor. “Xaviera, what
am I gonna do? My cooking skills are so-so at best.”
took a look at the chaotic countertop, “so-so” was an understatement — it was a
hot mess..
I tied on an apron and said, “Better let me handle it.”
I was no master chef, but whipping up a few of Hilary's favorite home-cooked
dishes was a piece of cake for me.
Plus, I'd spent a good two years cooking for Hogan — I knew exactly when the
meal was done, and whether to hold back on the spring onions or skip the ginger.
I had their preferences down
toaT
In less than half an hour, I had five dishes and a soup ready to go. The carp soup
was one of Hogan's favorite stomach—friendly brews from the ingredients we had
on hand, simmering
away.
Hilary's stiff expression finally softened a bit as she looked at the spread on the
table.
She didn’t even realize it was my handiwork.
For a moment, I didn't know whether to feel relieved or sad.
When she was hospitalized with a heart attack, I was in charge of her meals,
every single day for over a month.
“Mrs. Hilary, give it a try,” Cecilia said enthusiastically, passing Hilary the utensils,
“see if it's to your liking.”
“Hold on, Hogan's still on his way.”
“Hogan's coming back too?” Cecilia's eyes were brimming with anticipation.
Speak of the devil, Hogan walked in.
Seeing the three of us, he didn’t seem surprised; he must've caught wind of it
beforehand.
Cecilia tiptoed over with a beaming smile, “Hogan, I cooked tonight, come and
taste my culinary magic.”
Hogan took the seat of honor.
With Hilary, the elder, on his left, and Cecilia on his right, dishing up
enthusiastically, she was the picture of a considerate young wife—to—be.
1 was the odd one out.
But the mother and son seemed to approve of Cecilia's “culinary skills,” tucking in
with gusto.
When the carp soup was served. Cecilia ladled out a big bowl for Hogan. He took
a sip and couldn't help but frown.
“What's up, Hogan?"
Hilary noticed the commotion and glanced at the carp soup, saying coldly.
“Hogan can't stand ginger. Don't you know that as his girlfriend?”
The accusatory tone, the displeased look.
Cecilia was dumbfounded, her face a picture of shock as she looked at me.
Of course, I knew Hogan couldn't stand ginger. So I used to use lemon juice to
get rid of the fishy smell when I made this dish, but not today.
With an apologetic tone, I said, “Sorry, Mrs. Hilary, I'm the one who added the
ginger.”
Hilary stared at me in disbelief, “Xaviera?"
In her mind, I was probably someone who treated Hogan's preferences as
gospel.
I drooped my eyelids, feigning innocence.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the hint of a smirk on Cecilia's lips.
Little did she know, just tonight's act wasn’t enough. At the right time, they still
needed me, the faux ex, to throw things into sharp relief.
The ginger was a deliberate move on my part.
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After dinner, Cecilia stayed behind to
play the role of the 4% g irtfriend)
le! made sd Xcuse to
high—tail it out of there. The content
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chapter there!
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By the time I made it back to my
place, it was dead We! teokdffimy
Es of pretenss b d Tay silently in
bed. The content is on
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I thought, after tonight's drama, Hogan should be even less inclined to cast me
aside, right?
Out of the blue, my phone started to ring.
When I saw the caller ID, my eyebrows shot up.
Hogan's call.
At this hour, shouldn't he be with Ms. Irwin?
With a mix of confusion and nervousness, I answered the call.
“Mr. Zade.”
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[INT . »
Nice performance tonight,” the
) : “
man’s voice was Rugg) whatkind of
Ii
reward Bteyou fooki ng The content is
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chapter there!
Chapter 66
for?”
Caught off guard, I paused for a few seconds before replying, “It was nothing, Mr.
Zade. You
decide.”