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• Happy Birthday •

Seven weeks later,

Leonardo's POV.

"All rise." Everyone stood as the judge walked in.

"The Court is now in session.
Judge John Mayweather presiding. Please be seated." And with that we sat down as we watched the judge settle in.

He was an old black man, he looked wise and experienced. He also looked he could read your soul by just looking at you.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. In the matter of the People of the Capital of Mexico versus Leonardo Mondregon, Mr. Mondregon, how do you plead?"

For a moment I wanted to back out. This was it. All my life I have been fighting to not end up in prison but here I am, in court and about to be sentenced.

The funny thing was, I preferred this much more than living a life without Cata.

She died because of me. I deserve to be punished. It was all my fault.

I was charged with homicide for killing The Colombian Kid after an autopsy that showed his death was caused by a bullet and not an explosion. They also referred the incident as a crime of passion.

Apparently I had fans who petitioned for my release. They all believe I was innocent and what I did was justified due to the death of my wife.

Many came forward with stories of how I helped them in certain points in their lives either it was education, food, shelter or security. They nicknamed me, El Angel del Pueblo, "The Angel of the people."

I could have gotten away scot free before the case was even heard in court or I could have just bribed the judge and everyone associated with the case, but I didn't have the strength to fight anymore. I didn't have a home to go to, it was now an empty shell of a house with nothing but memories and lost dreams.

I strongly believed my son was at a much better place, away from me so what was the point of going back?

Every single fucking thing reminded me of her, the people, the house and everything we once shared. It was either this or I will literally go crazy.

And for those reasons I responded, "Guilty, your Honor."

"Counsel, have you reached a settlement?" The judge asked.

"Yes, Your Honor we have settled for twenty years in prison with a chance of parole." The D.A responded.

"Mr. Mondregon, do you know that by pleading guilty you lose the right to a jury trial?" The judge asked as he looked at me, probably trying to see any form of hesitation.

"Yes, your Honor." I replied.

"Do you give up that right?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

"Son, Do you understand what giving up that right means?" He spoke as he took off his reading glasses and gave me his full attention.

"Yes Your Honor, I do."

"Do you know that you are waiving the right to cross-examine your accusers?" He spoke and I remembered my lawyer said the same thing. He believed that not only could I have won the case but also declared a hero since I had put an end to a cold blooded serial killer.

"Yes, I do."

"Do you know that you are waiving your privilege against self-incrimination?"

"Yes, your honor."

"Did anyone force you into accepting this settlement?" He asked and I couldn't help but want to laugh. If only he knew it was the opposite.

"No Your honor, no one did." I responded.