Chapter 25: You’re not leaving me
625 Words
Silence followed his words.
Unavoidable.
Isabella stood frozen because she understood exactly what he meant.
This wasn’t a request, it wasn’t even a warning, it was a decision.
“Leonard…” she started carefully.
But he didn’t let her finish.
“Choose,” he said.
Her breath caught.
“What?”
“Stay,” he said, his voice low, controlled, “or leave.”
A pause.
“But if you stay—”His gaze darkened slightly.“You don’t walk away again.”
Her chest tightened.
This wasn’t fair.
He didn’t remember her, didn’t know what they had.
And yet—
He was asking for something real, something permanent.
“I need time,” she whispered.
“No.”he answered
The answer was immediate, cold, final.
“You’ve had enough time.”
Her eyes widened slightly.
“You don’t even know me,” she said.
“I know enough,” he replied.
That scared her more.
“I don’t want to make the wrong decision,” she said softly
Leonard stepped closer.
“You already did once,” he said.
“Because you treated me like an option,” she whispered.
“Then stay.” His voice calm, “ so we can work this out together,”
Simple.
Before she could respond—
“Leonard, this is ridiculous.”
Victoria.
Her voice sharp now, no more pretending.
“You can’t just ask her to stay,” she continued. “She’s nothing but—”
“Don’t.”
Leonard’s voice cut through hers.
Victoria froze.
Because this time— He sounded serious.
“I decide who stays,” he said.
His eyes flickered briefly to Isabella.
“And who doesn’t.”
Silence.
Victoria’s jaw tightened.
“You’re making a mistake,” she said quietly.
“Then let me,” he replied.
That shut her up but not for long.
Victoria’s Move, she stepped back slowly.
Her expression changed, no longer emotional now
“Fine,” she said softly.
Too softly, suspiciously calm.
Leonard didn’t respond.
Because his attention—Was still on Isabella.
“Stay,” he repeated.
Her heart pounded.
Because she knew— This moment would change everything.
If she stayed—She might lose herself in him again.
If she left—She might lose him forever.
Slowly…
She nodded.“…I’ll stay.”
Silence.
But this time—It felt different.
Leonard’s shoulders relaxed slightly
Not much, but enough.
Like something inside him—Had settled.
“Good,” he said quietly.
Victoria watched everything.
Every detail, every reaction and something in her eyes darkened.
Later That Night
The hospital room was quiet.
Leonard sat by the window now.
Restless, thinking about what happened earlier but nothing made sense.
But one thing was clear—He didn’t want her to leave again, even if he didn’t know why.
A knock came.
“Come in.”
The door opened, Victoria stepped in alone.
Her expression calm.
“We need to talk,” she said.
Leonard didn’t turn.
“About what”
Victoria walked closer.
“Do you trust her?” she asked.
Silence.
Leonard’s fingers curled slightly.
“Yes I do,” he admitted.
But he was unsure.
Victoria nodded slowly.
“That’s your first mistake.”
He finally turned.
“And what’s my second?” he asked.
Victoria’s lips curved dangerously.
“Letting her stay.”
Victoria leaned closer.
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
Cold and calculating.
“Because I’m going to make sure she leaves… one way or another.”
Leonard’s eyes darkened.
Not with agreement, but something else, something dangerous.
He nodded “Lemme see you try it,” he said quietly.
The more he tries to control the situation…
The more everything begins to fall apart.
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