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Chapter Sixteen: The Break

Author: Grace Alegria
last update Huling Na-update: 2025-04-19 06:32:00
Monterrey, Mexico – Sunday Morning – 7:00 a.m.

The sun rose like a slow-burning bruise over the city.

Valeria sat at her tiny kitchen table, wrapped in an oversized hoodie, staring blankly at a cold cup of coffee.

She hadn’t slept.

Couldn’t sleep.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Alejandro’s face — twisted in anger, betrayal, heartbreak.

Her heart throbbed painfully against her ribs.

She had lost him.

And she had no one to blame but herself.

Meanwhile – Alejandro’s Office

The office was sterile, silent — just the way Alejandro wanted it.

He sat behind his massive mahogany desk, ignoring the stack of contracts and blueprints gathering dust.

He couldn’t focus.

All he could see was Valeria’s tear-streaked face.

All he could hear was her voice, whispering that she had wanted him, not his empire.

Lies.

The word repeated itself in his mind like a hammer against glass.

He slammed his laptop shut and leaned back, rubbing his face.

He couldn’t do this anymore.

He needed closure. Finalit
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