Put Me in Jail and He Came Begging

Chapter 5: The Betrayal

The day had started like any other, a monotonous blur of responsibilities and routine that offered little distraction from the gnawing emptiness within me. As usual, I had found solace in the fleeting hope that maybe today, Leonardo would notice me. I spent the morning meticulously preparing myself, choosing an outfit that was both elegant and understated, hoping to catch his eye without seeming too desperate. My heart fluttered with anticipation as I made my way to his office building, a towering structure of glass and steel that mirrored the impenetrable barrier between us.

I had been here many times before, always lurking in the shadows, my presence unnoticed by the bustling crowd of employees and executives. Today, I found a quiet corner near the entrance, where I could watch without being seen. The minutes ticked by slowly, each one a reminder of my insignificance in his world. Yet, I clung to the hope that perhaps today would be different.

As the afternoon sun began to cast long shadows, my phone buzzed in my pocket. My heart leaped, thinking it might be a message from Leonardo, or at the very least, some news about him. But as I pulled out my phone and saw the sender's name, my excitement turned to dread. It was Sophia.

Her message was short and simple, yet it hit me like a sledgehammer: a picture of her and Leonardo, his arm draped casually over her shoulder as she kissed his cheek. They looked so happy, so perfect together, that for a moment, I couldn't breathe. The caption beneath the photo read, "He's mine now, and forever."

The world seemed to blur around me as I stared at the image, my vision clouded with tears. Sophia had always been a presence in Leonardo's life, a constant reminder of my own inadequacies. She was everything I was not – confident, beautiful, and utterly captivating. She had always known how I felt about Leonardo, and she took perverse pleasure in flaunting their relationship in front of me.

I stumbled backward, my knees threatening to give way. The picture was a cruel confirmation of what I had always feared – that I was nothing more than a foolish girl with a hopeless crush. I had clung to the fantasy that Leonardo might one day see me, truly see me, and realize that I was the one who loved him more than anyone else ever could. But this picture shattered that illusion.

As I stood there, reeling from the shock, the world around me continued its relentless pace. People walked past, oblivious to my pain, their lives untouched by the drama unfolding in my heart. I wanted to scream, to lash out at the unfairness of it all, but I knew it would do no good. No one cared about my suffering, least of all Leonardo.

In a daze, I found myself wandering the streets, the city a blur of lights and noise. My mind was a whirlpool of emotions – anger, despair, and an overwhelming sense of betrayal. How could he choose her over me? What did she have that I lacked? These questions tormented me, their answers elusive and cruel.

Hours passed as I wandered aimlessly, my feet carrying me far from Leonardo's office. Eventually, I found myself at a small park, the only oasis of calm in the chaotic city. I sank onto a bench, my body trembling with exhaustion and grief. The sun had set, and the cool evening air did little to soothe my aching heart.

I sat there for what felt like an eternity, replaying the events of the day over and over in my mind. The image of Leonardo and Sophia was seared into my memory, a constant reminder of my foolishness. How could I have been so blind? So naive?

As the night deepened, a new resolve began to take shape within me. I was done being the victim. I was done letting the world trample over my heart. If Leonardo couldn't see my worth, then I would make him see it. And if he still chose to ignore me, then I would make him pay for the pain he had caused.

With renewed determination, I stood up from the bench. The tears had dried, leaving behind a steely resolve. I knew what I had to do. I would confront Leonardo, make him understand the depth of my love and the agony of my betrayal. And if he still chose Sophia, then I would find a way to make them both suffer as I had.