Echoes of Unrequited Love (Xaviera and Hogan) novel Chapter 169

Chapter 169 

That silhouette seemed kinda familiar on second glance. 

Broad shoulders, slim waist, an inverted triangle of a figure – and I could just about make out the solid muscle lines hiding under his suit. 

It looked like Hogan. 

But why would Hogan be here at this time? Shouldn’t he be in some fancy thatched–roof suite, sweet–talking Cecilia? 

“Hogan?” 

As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized I’d been too forward, and quickly corrected myself, “Mr. Zade?” 

At the sound of my voice, the man slowly turned around, gave me a look, and said in a tone neither warm nor cold, “Decided to show up, did you?” 

I had no idea where his “decided to” was coming from, but something told me it wasn’t meant as a compliment. All I could muster was a polite, “Did you need something from me, Mr. Zade?” 

A scoff landed in my ear as Hogan glanced my way and said, “Seems like tonight’s loss hasn’t taught you anything.” 

Thinking about tonight’s fiasco got my blood boiling, but considering Hogan did me a solid, I could only reply, “I’ll remember your kindness, Mr. Zade.” 

With that, I went to get some water. 

“That’s it?” Hogan suddenly raised his voice, sounding dissatisfied. “Tell me, how exactly do you plan to ‘remember my kindness‘?” 

His question caught me off guard. 

To be honest, I wasn’t sure if tonight’s setup had anything to do with Hogan. 

Feeling awkward, I just handed him the water, asking, “Would you like some water, Mr. Zade?” 

Hogan, with a stone–cold face, pinched the bridge of his nose and said succinctly, “Headache.” 

He spoke softly, a stark contrast to his earlier confrontational demeanor. 

Curiosity got the better of me, and I saw his face, weary. Just then, Hogan suddenly 

11:02 

Chapter 169 

lifted his eyelids, our gazes collided, and he sald, “Come over and give me a rub.” 

It was a line I knew all too well. 

Like two years ago, when we were living together, he’d come home worn out from meeting clients, and I’d pull him to sit on the couch, gently massaging his temples. 

But now, what gave him the right? 

“What are you still standing there for?” he asked from the edge of the bed, eyes nearly closed, in a deep, assertive voice. 

I took a deep breath and said, “Sorry, Mr. Zade, I appreciate you stepping in for me tonight, but this isn’t right.” 

With a slight lift of his cold gaze, he sneered, “What’s not right about it? Worried Timothy won’t like it? Xaviera, seems like you still don’t see who’s really got your back when push comes to shove.” 

There was sheer disdain in Hogan’s eyes as he spoke. 

When I didn’t respond, he added. “Haven’t you grasped the gist of tonight’s events? If 

I hadn’t stepped in, that Temple family kid would’ve been good for nothing but