"But I don't want to! Leonel, I did have feelings for you once, but not anymore. I'm not going to change my mind just because of a past physical connection—" She paused, and then continued, "I don't want to force things.”

Leonel's face drained of color at her words.

To him, her sentiment felt like a rejection of their entire history.

Unable to stay in the room any longer, Alexis rose to leave. As Leonel reached out to her, she forcefully shook off his grasp. Her voice low and strained, she implored, “Leonel, have some self-respect.

Let's preserve some dignity here."