Book 3: Chapter 12

Esmeralda seized that moment. “You want me to be your wife, but you have no idea what that even means,” she said, her voice lowering into a cold, determined tone. “You don’t get to have me and treat me like nothing. You don’t get to throw me away and then drag me back just to satisfy your ego.” She paused, her voice softening as her next words pierced the silence like a knife. “If you ever loved me, Diego, even a little… you wouldn’t have done this.”

Diego's eyes darkened, and his jaw clenched tightly as he absorbed her words. He took a step closer, invading her space once more, his presence overwhelming.

"Love?" he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "I never loved you, Esmeralda." The admission stung, piercing through the barriers she had tried to build to shield herself from the truth. "You were convenient," he continued, his tone cold and unfeeling. "An arrangement that benefited us both. But if you're serious about wanting to fix things, if you truly want th