Book 3: Chapter 4

Esmeralda’s breath caught in her throat as her teeth sank into Diego’s lower lip, hard enough to draw blood. She wasn’t sure if it was fury, frustration, or desperation that had pushed her to act, but now that it was done, there was no going back.

Diego’s eyes widened in shock for a fraction of a second. He released her abruptly, his hand flying to his mouth where blood trickled from the fresh bite. His fingers came away stained red, and the fury that flickered across his face was terrifying.

"You crazy bitch!" Diego hissed, his voice low and venomous. Before Esmeralda could react, the back of his hand connected with her cheek in a brutal slap that sent her head snapping to the side. The sharp sting spread across her face, and she stumbled, nearly falling backward from the sheer force of it.

Esmeralda gasped, her hand instinctively flying to her burning cheek, tears welling in her eyes, not just from the pain but from the shock of it all. She had known Diego had a