Chapter 1 Preview: Bound By The Past

"There is no way in hell I am doing this. Not again, Leonardo."

Rita's voice dripped with anger, sharp and unwavering. Her hands clenched into fists by her sides, nails digging into her palms as she glared at the man sitting behind the massive oak desk. Everything about this room was a testament to his wealth-the sleek black leather chairs, the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline, the faint scent of expensive cologne lingering in the air.

Leonardo chuckled, leaning back in his chair with an infuriating smirk. His dark brown eyes gleamed with amusement, as if her resistance was nothing more than a mild inconvenience.

"Bebé, todavía vamos a hacer esto otra vez. No importa lo que digas." (Baby, we are still going to do this again. No matter what you say.)

Rita's lips curled in disgust. "Leonardo, I already told you. I am not interested."

"And you think I care? You think that bothers me?"

She exhaled sharply, her heart hammering against her ribcage. This wasn't the man she had married. Or maybe he was, and she had just been too blinded by love to see the real him. "Why won't you just leave me alone? Leave me the fuck alone, Leonardo. I don't want this. I don't want to be with you again."

"Why?"

She let out a bitter chuckle, crossing her arms. "Is that a question? Like, is that seriously a question?"

"Yes, it is." His tone was steady, unwavering, as if he genuinely believed he had done nothing wrong. "I left for our future."

She took a step closer, fire burning in her eyes. "You left because you were selfish. You motherfucker." Her voice cracked with rage, her chest rising and falling with each breath. "I gave everything up for you. I stood with you when no one did. I believed in you when you had nothing, Leonardo. And now you've returned after three years, dripping in wealth, and you think that means we have a chance together?" She shook her head, eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Go to hell, Leonardo."

She grabbed her bag, turning sharply toward the door, but before she could reach the handle, his voice cut through the room like a blade.

"The moment you walk out that door, I will make sure no one in the entire state employs you. Leave if you want to."

The threat stopped her cold. She stiffened, the weight of his words pressing against her spine. Slowly, she turned around, her expression unreadable. "Excuse me?"

He remained seated, fingers steepled together as he studied her. "You heard what I said." His voice was calm, controlled, dangerous. "It's either you stay, we talk this through, and you sign that contract-or you face the consequences."

She let out a hollow laugh. "So it's come down to threats now? Money has changed you that much?"

Leonardo's gaze darkened, his smirk fading slightly.

"Bebé, esto no es sobre dinero. Es sobre anhelo. Es sobre amor. Es sobre deseo." (Baby, this isn't about money. It's about longing. It's about love. It's about desire.)

Rita scoffed, shaking her head. "Cut the bullshit, Leonardo. You know nothing-nothing-about love." She jabbed a finger at him, her body trembling with fury. "You selfish, egotistical jerk."

His lips twitched, as if her insult amused him. She hated that look, hated how he could remain so composed while she was falling apart inside.

The memory of their past came rushing back, unbidden. The small apartment they had shared, the sleepless nights spent whispering dreams of a better future, the way he used to hold her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

But all of that had been a lie.

A slow, dangerous smile played on his lips, but she didn't give him the satisfaction of another word. Instead, she snatched the contract from his desk, ripped it in half, and hurled the pieces in his face.

"You know what? Fuck you. Fuck your money. Fuck your company. And fuck this stupid contract."

She turned on her heel, storming out of the office, slamming the door so hard the walls trembled.

Silence filled the room.

Leonardo remained in his chair, unmoving. He reached out, picking up a torn piece of the contract, running his fingers over the paper. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with something dark, something dangerous.

"Serás mía otra vez, Rita." (You'll be mine again, Rita.) "Te lo prometo." (I promise you.)

And he never broke a promise.