The amnesia, his obsession

Chapter 11: Mine to keep, mine to protect

The words still echoed in the room.

"...I choose who I am now."

Silence followed, but it wasn't calm.

It was the kind of silence that came before something dangerous.

Isabella stood frozen, her heart caught between fear and something she didn't want to name. Hope.

Victoria let out a sharp laugh.

"You're unbelievable," she said, shaking her head. "You're really going to throw everything away for her?"

Leonard didn't even look at her.

His eyes remained on Isabella.

"I'm not throwing anything away," he said calmly.

"Then what are you doing?" Victoria snapped.

Leonard's hand slowly slipped into Isabella's.

Firm, claiming.

"I'm keeping what matters."

Isabella's breath caught.

Her fingers trembled slightly in his grip.

Victoria's expression hardened.

"This isn't over," she said coldly. "You don't even understand what you're doing."

Leonard finally turned his head.

And the look in his eyes...

Was enough to silence the entire room.

"Then explain it to me," he said.

Victoria stepped closer, lowering her voice.

"You were going to marry me," she said. "Our families agreed, our companies were merging, everything was set."

Leonard's jaw tightened slightly.

But he didn't speak.

"You tolerated her because you had to," she continued, gesturing toward Isabella. "That marriage? It was temporary. A contract. Nothing more."

Isabella's chest tightened painfully.

Even hearing it again hurt.

Victoria smiled slightly.

"So tell me," she said softly, "when your memory comes back... what do you think will happen to her?"

Silence for a brief moment—

Doubt flickered across Leonard's face and Isabella saw it, her heart dropped.

Of course.

How could she expect anything else?

When he remembered...

Everything would go back to how it was.

Slowly, she tried to pull her hand away.

"I understand," she whispered. "You don't have to—"

His grip tightened instantly.

"I didn't say you could let go."

Her breath caught.

Leonard turned fully toward her now.

His expression darker, stronger, more certain.

"Look at me," he said.

She hesitated but obeyed.

"You think I'm going to change my mind?" he asked quietly.

She didn't answer.

Because she don't know. . .

His hand lifted, gently but firmly tilting her chin upward.

"For someone who claims I loved her..." he nodded slightly toward Victoria, "...you seem very ready to walk away from me." He added.

"That's not—"

"Then stop acting like it."

His voice wasn't loud.

But it carried weight, control and possession.

"I told you," he continued, his gaze locking onto hers, "you're not going anywhere."

A shiver ran down her spine.

Victoria scoffed. "You're being ridiculous, she's manipulating you."

Leonard didn't even glance at her.

"If she is," he said calmly, "then I'll deal with it."

A pause.

Then—

"But she's still staying."he whispered

Victoria's patience snapped.

"You're making a mistake!" she snapped. "You don't even know what she's capable of—"

"Enough."

The word came out sharp.

Leonard's eyes turned cold again—but this time, the cold was directed at Victoria.

"You're still here," he said slowly. "Why?"

The shift was immediate, powerful and intense.

Victoria stiffened.

"I—"

"Leave."

The command echoed through the mansion.

For a moment, no one moved.

Then—

Victoria let out a quiet, bitter smile.

"Fine," she said. "But don't come running back when everything falls apart."

Her eyes landed on Isabella one last time.

Full of warning. "This isn't over."

Then she turned—and walked away.

The moment she disappeared—The tension in the room shifted.

But it didn't disappear, it changed direction, towards Isabella.

She slowly pulled her hand back this time.

And surprisingly...

Leonard let her.

"Why did you do that?" she asked softly.

"Because I meant it." He replied

Her heart raced.

"You don't even know me," she whispered.

"I know enough."

His hand lifted again, brushing lightly against her hair, tucking a strand behind her ear.

The gesture was gentle.

But the meaning behind it wasn't.

"You're the only thing here that feels real," he said quietly.

Her chest tightened.

"That's dangerous," she said.

A faint smirk touched his lips.

"I've never been afraid of dangerous things."

Before she could respond— A voice echoed from behind them.

"Sir..."

Both of them turned.

One of the security men stepped forward, his expression tense.

"There's a problem."

Leonard's eyes darkened.

"What problem?"

The guard hesitated for just a second.

Then said—

"...someone is trying to break into your private records."