Tear This Heart Out

Catalina meets General Andrés Ascencio during a family outing in Puebla, and he begins paying her regular visits with gifts and praise. He shows a keen interest in her life and opinions, signaling the start of a powerful, potentially dangerous relationship. The dynamic marks the first spark of a relationship that will shape her years to come.

During a trip to Tecolutla, Catalina and Andrés grow closer, and she becomes curious about intimate aspects of life. Their bond deepens as they share private moments away from home. The encounter sets the stage for the future marriage and shifts in her autonomy.

Back home, Andrés proposes marriage, and Catalina eagerly accepts despite her family's concerns about her age. The engagement is met with cautious approval from some relatives and warnings from others. The couple's path toward formal commitment accelerates quickly.

On the wedding day, Catalina signs the papers that bind her to Andrés, and he asserts a controlling stance over her behavior within the family. Her father and friends watch with mixed feelings as the ceremony seals their alliance. The moment crystallizes a power dynamic that will shape their years together.

The couple divides their time between a city home in Puebla and a flourishing hacienda, enjoying a privileged lifestyle. Catalina experiences the comforts of wealth and the intimacy of a romanticized partnership. Yet the relationship remains uneasy under the surface as Andrés' temper and dismissive attitudes surface in private conversations.

Andrés begins pressing ahead with plans to flood a valley to build an electric dam, threatening the homes and livelihoods of local farmers. Catalina wrestles with concern for the people affected, while Mike Heiss's business dealings cast a shadow over the couple's world. The dam project exposes the cost of Andrés' ambitions and the crack in their idyll.

Arrangements with the American neighbor Mike Heiss introduce murkier business ties behind the scenes. Catalina's attempts to speak up or intervene are dismissed by Andrés as meddling from a 'busybody' wife. The tension between public power and private control deepens.

Andrés is arrested on murder allegations, an ordeal that reveals how volatile political life can be. He is released days later, leaving Catalina to navigate her own loyalties and fears. The event underscores the precarious nature of their life together.

Not long after she discovers she is pregnant, Catalina sees Andrés embracing another woman, revealing his infidelities. He dismisses her anger and acts as if nothing has changed, leaving her to cope with loneliness. The news marks a turning point in their relationship.

With Andrés occupied by politics and travel, Catalina feels increasingly isolated and seeks companionship with a childhood friend to ease her loneliness. The quiet arrangement hints at a broader loneliness and unfulfilled desires. The pregnancy continues to reshape their bond as time passes.

Years pass and another baby is born into the couple, renewing the sense of family despite ongoing tensions. Catalina's social role as governor's wife is tested by the demands of motherhood and public life. The household expands as the marriage continues.

Andrés brings two children of his own to live with them, presenting them as the offspring of his first wife who died of typhus during the Revolution. Catalina grows attached to the 12-year-old daughter and accepts the blended family, while privately suspecting that the children's real mother might still be alive in Veracruz. She notes inconsistencies in his stories and wonders about the truth.

The truth about the supposed first wife and the Veracruz connection unsettles Catalina, who begins to question what she has been told. The larger political and personal pressures intensify as she navigates a life in the public eye. Veracruz becomes a symbol of secrets kept behind the scenes.

Andrés announces his candidacy for Governor of Puebla, leveraging his position and ambitions to win the support of allies and voters. Catalina accompanies him on campaign trips and speaks to poorer constituents, presenting a polished image of progress and stability. The bid marks a pivotal shift from domestic life to public power.

Across campaign routes and speeches, Andrés positions himself as a force for change in Puebla. Catalina's role as political wife becomes increasingly demanding as the couple navigates public scrutiny and private discord. The arc ends with the couple facing the consequences of power, ambition, and betrayal.