In Jack’s bachelor apartment—the one he used to bring his flings to and spend time alone—he and Jimena kissed passionately on the couch.His hands began caressing her legs, slowly hiking up her dress and baring her thighs. When his hand moved to touch her center, Jimena stopped him, breathless and nervous.“Jack…” she murmured against his lips. “Aren’t we going too fast?” She looked at him with worry and fear.She looked so beautiful and sensual—her flushed skin, her lips swollen and slightly parted, as if she were breathing through them, her breath ragged from arousal. She looked like a tropical nymph, with messy blond hair and eyes full of passion… and doubt. That last part made him tense.He was tired of Jimena’s rejections, of having to settle for crumbs. They’d been dating for three months and hadn’t gotten very far in this strange relationship.“No, Jimena,” he replied, his voice tinged with frustration. “Honestly, we’re moving too slow. And I’m not used to this kind of relatio

Ariadna sat on the sofa, a glass of wine in her hands and a victorious smile on her lips. She was living like a queen—in a luxurious apartment, with fine furniture and gourmet food. Everything belonged to her, and the best part was that she wouldn’t have to deal with Pablo, since his parents had been so considerate as to take him in and care for him themselves.“Finally, I got rid of him! What a nightmare having to deal with an alcoholic,” she spat with disgust. “Stupid! Oh, Pablo, I really liked you. Together, we could have been a powerful couple, but you didn’t put in the effort. You humiliated me and treated me like trash after I got my hopes up for your love.”“How dare you put her before me? Idiot! Now I’ll keep your lovely apartment and your money while you sink into misery. That’s what you get for humiliating me, for never forgetting that bitter ex of yours. That, dear Pablo, is my revenge.”Ariadna made a sound of annoyance when the doorbell rang. She let out a long sigh and b

Jimena entered the office gracefully, while Ariadna followed her with downcast eyes. After Ariadna updated her on her pending tasks, she went to fetch the coffee and documents Jimena had requested.“Here’s your coffee, Mrs. Gutiérrez,” she said, glowering. “Hope you enjoy it.”Jimena eyed the cup suspiciously. There was no way she was drinking anything delivered by Ariadna—at the very least, it might be laced with acid or rat poison.“You know what? Keep it. I don’t want it anymore,” Jimena replied disdainfully, without even looking at her.Ariadna wanted to kill her, and her fury blazed in her eyes. She stomped out of the office, grumbling—not only because Jimena had made a mockery of her, but also because her plan to slip something into the coffee had been thwarted.***Ariadna watched the office door where Jimena worked, her gaze cautious and eager. Anxiety made her tremble, and she drank more coffee than necessary. Concentrating on her own work was difficult, though she didn’t rea

Several days later, the Mars family filed a formal complaint against Ariadna, who remained in preventive custody until trial. For some reason, Jimena thought it was a good idea to visit her and face her, but seeing her so broken filled her with pity. She was no longer even a shadow of the beautiful, self-assured woman she had once been."Why did you come? To mock me?" Ariadna snapped, hatred blazing in her eyes, accusation carved into her features. Her face was covered with gauze, and she was still in the prison hospital due to the gunshot wound in her arm."No, I just came to see how you were doing," Jimena replied gently."Wretched woman! Are you happy now? You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?" she spat, unleashing all her rage and frustration on her. She hated her, now more than ever.While her own future was uncertain and lonely, Jimena had everything. Ariadna thought it unfair that everything she had earned through so much humiliation had been snatched away, unbearable that her riva

Jimena was at her sisters' apartment, just hanging out. Claudia and Lisa, Clau's college student, were working on their designs while she and Cecilia approved their creations."This is beautiful, Claudia!" Jimena complimented, admiring the finished garments. "It’s different and original.""Wait until you see it on Matt," Claudia replied with a big smile. "He looks amazing—and sexy.""Please!" Cecilia exclaimed. "He could use a wardrobe makeover.""Yeah, Clau," Jimena agreed. "You should totally help him. He’s good-looking and competent, but with those weird clothes he wears, he doesn’t exactly look like a presentable professor. God! Where does he even get that stuff?""I know." Claudia slumped onto the couch, looking down. "I think he has some insecurities about his body. You have no idea how hard it was to convince him to be our model, but little by little, I’ll get him to change that strange way of dressing.""Well, if the professor starts dressing like a normal person, you'd better