Put Me in Jail and He Came Begging

Chapter 13: The Male Lead's Dilemma

Leonardo Romano sat in his opulent office, the view of the city skyline stretching out before him. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the towering buildings and bustling streets below. He was a man who had everything – wealth, power, and influence. But tonight, none of it brought him any peace.

His mind was a storm of conflicting emotions, each thought a jagged shard of glass cutting through his conscience. He swirled the glass of scotch in his hand, the amber liquid reflecting the turmoil within. Alina. Her name echoed in his mind, a constant reminder of his failures and regrets.

Leonardo had always prided himself on his ability to control his emotions, to remain detached and calculated in all his dealings. It was a necessity in his world – a world where weakness was exploited, and emotions were liabilities. But Alina had shattered that facade. From the moment he met her, she had burrowed her way into his heart, despite his best efforts to keep her at arm's length.

He remembered their first encounter vividly. It was at a charity gala, one of those glittering events where the city's elite gathered to flaunt their wealth and faux benevolence. Alina had been standing by the grand staircase, looking like an angel fallen from grace. Her eyes, a deep shade of green, were filled with a sadness that tugged at his heartstrings. He had approached her, captivated by her beauty and the vulnerability she tried so hard to mask.

"Leonardo Romano," he had introduced himself, his voice smooth and confident. She had looked up at him, her eyes widening slightly in recognition.

"Alina," she had replied, her voice barely above a whisper. There was a fragility about her that made him want to protect her, to shield her from whatever pain she was hiding.

As the months passed, Leonardo found himself drawn to Alina in ways he couldn't explain. She was unlike any woman he had ever known – gentle yet strong, broken yet resilient. He admired her tenacity, her ability to endure the hardships life had thrown her way. But he also knew that he could never give her what she deserved. His world was too dark, too dangerous. He couldn't drag her into it.

Yet, despite his best intentions, he had hurt her. He had taken her love for granted, dismissed her feelings, and allowed Sophia to torment her. He had been blind to the depths of Alina's love and the strength of her spirit. And now, as he sat in his office, he was forced to confront the consequences of his actions.

The night Alina was arrested was seared into his memory. Sophia had called him, her voice frantic and accusing. "Leonardo, you need to come quickly. Alina attacked me. I'm hurt, and she needs to be stopped."

He had rushed to the scene, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and anger. When he arrived, he saw Sophia lying on the ground, clutching her ankle, and Alina standing a few feet away, her face pale and stricken. Without thinking, he had gone to Sophia, his protective instincts kicking in. He had called for medical assistance and ensured she was taken care of.

Then, he turned to Alina. She stood there, her eyes wide with shock and pain, her hands trembling. "Leonardo, it was an accident. I didn't mean to—"

But he hadn't listened. He had been too blinded by Sophia's tears and his anger. He had ordered the security to take Alina away, to have her locked up. At that moment, he believed he was doing the right thing, protecting Sophia, and maintaining order.

It was only later, as he lay in his bed, unable to sleep, that he began to question his actions. He replayed the scene in his mind, over and over, and each time, he saw the fear and betrayal in Alina's eyes. He had condemned her without hearing her side, without giving her a chance to explain. He had failed her in the worst possible way.

The guilt gnawed at him, growing stronger with each passing day. He visited Alina in jail, hoping to make amends, but she had been cold and distant, her once warm eyes now filled with hurt and anger. She had every right to hate him, and he couldn't blame her. He had betrayed her trust and shattered her heart.