The amnesia, his obsession

Chapter 19: The stranger that feels like

She stood at the door entrance froze, her head repeating the words.

"I don't remember her." He added

The words fell softly—But they shattered everything.

Isabella entered into the hospital room

She stood frozen beside the bed.

Her fingers tightened around the edge of her bag, knuckles turning pale.

Of course he didn't remember.

The doctor had already said it.

But hearing it from him—Was different.

More real, more painful.

Leonard watched her closely, carefully.

Not with recognition,but with curiosity.

"Do I know you?" he asked.

Her lips parted slightly, then closed.

Because what was she supposed to say?

Yes, I'm your wife.

Yes, you once hated me.

Yes... you were starting to love me.

Instead, she shook her head.

"No," she said softly.

Lie again.

Leonard studied her reaction.

Every detail, the hesitation, the sadness, the way she avoided his eyes.

Something about it—

Didn't sit right with him.

"You look like you expected something else," he said.

Isabella forced a faint smile.

"I didn't," she replied quickly.

Another lie.

Leonard leaned back slightly, ignoring the dull pain in his head.

He didn't remember her, that much was clear.

But something else—

Something he couldn't explain—Was there.

A feeling, unfamiliar.

Yet...

Not entirely.

"Are you lying?" he said suddenly.

Her breath caught.

"I'm not lying," she said, almost too fast.

That only made him more certain.

Leonard tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing.

"Then why are you crying?" he asked.

She froze.

Her hand instinctively moved to her face. Wet.

"I'm not," she said quickly, wiping them away.

Silence.

Leonard didn't argue.

But he didn't believe her either.

He watched her move—The way she tried to stay composed.

The way she kept her distance.

Like she was afraid of getting too close.

And that—That bothered him.

"Come here," he said.

The words slipped out before he could stop them.

Isabella blinked.

"What?"

"I said come here," he repeated, his tone firmer now.

She hesitated.

Everything in her told her not to.

Because being close to him— like this—

When he didn't remember her—Was dangerous.

But her feet moved anyway.

Slowly, carefully.

Until she stood beside the bed again.

Leonard's gaze lifted to meet hers.

Closer now, too close.

"Do I know you from somewhere?" he asked.

Her heart ached.

"No," she whispered.

But even she didn't sound convinced.

Leonard frowned slightly.

Because that feeling again—Stronger this time.

Like something pulling at him from the inside.

"You feel..." he started.

Then stopped.

Isabella's breath hitched.

"Feel what?" she asked quietly.

He stared at her a moment longer trying to find the right word.

Then—

"Familiar," he said.

Her chest tightened painfully.

"But I don't remember why." He added

Silence again

Heavy, confusing,dangerous.

"You don't have to," she said softly.

Leonard shook his head slightly.

"I don't like not understanding things," he muttered.

That sounded like him.

Still controlled, still sharp.

Even without his memories.

His gaze dropped briefly— To her hand resting near the bed.

Then—

Without thinking—He reached out and grabbed her.

Isabella gasped softly.

The contact sent a shock through both of them.

Unexpected, unavoidable.

Leonard stilled.

His fingers tightened slightly around hers.

That feeling again—Stronger and louder.

_

Impossible to ignore.

His brows furrowed.

"...Why does this feel like I've done it before?" he asked quietly.

Tears filled Isabella's eyes instantly.

Because he had so many times but now—

It meant nothing to him and everything to her.

"You should rest," she said quickly, trying to pull her hand away.

But he didn't let go."Answer me," he said.

His voice wasn't harsh, just... insistent, like he needed to understand.

"I don't know," she whispered.

That part wasn't a lie.

Because she didn't know how to explain something he couldn't remember.

Leonard stared at their joined hands.

Then slowly, he reluctantly let go.

The moment broke, just like that.

He leaned back again, running a hand through his hair.

"This is frustrating," he muttered.

Isabella stepped back slightly.

Creating distance, safer, for both of them.

"It's normal," she said softly. "Memory loss doesn't come back immediately."

He looked at her again.

"You sound like you know a lot about this," he said.

She froze for a second.

"I just listened to the doctor," she replied.

Leonard didn't respond but his gaze lingered, still searching, still questioning.

And still—Drawn to her even without a single memory.

As Isabella turned to leave—Leonard spoke again, quiet, uncertain.

"Wait... don't go."

She stopped immediately, her heart pounding, and then—

"I don't know you... but I don't want you to leave."

Memory can disappear...

But some connections are too deep to be erased.