The amnesia, his obsession

Chapter 7: I still love you

The door slammed open.

"Leonard!"

Victoria's voice cut through the moment like a blade.

Isabella pulled back instantly, her heart pounding, her breath uneven. The closeness they had just shared lingered between them like something forbidden.

Leonard didn't move at first.

His eyes remained on Isabella's face for a second longer—dark, intense, unreadable.

Then slowly, he released her.

"What is it?" he asked coldly.

But the coldness wasn't directed at Isabella.

Not anymore.

Victoria stepped forward, her expression filled with anger and disbelief.

"What is going on here?" she demanded. "Why is she always with you?!"

Leonard leaned back slightly, unfazed.

"She's my wife."

The words came out smoothly and confidence.

Like he believed them.

Victoria let out a sharp laugh.

"No. She's not."

The room fell silent.

Isabella's stomach tightened.

This was it.

The truth was about to explode.

"She's lying to you," Victoria continued. "You never loved her. This marriage was forced. You barely even tolerated her—"

"Enough."

Leonard's voice dropped, lowered, dangerously and final.

Victoria froze.

Because something in his tone had changed.

Something darker.

More controlling.

"I don't remember you," Leonard said slowly, his eyes locking onto hers. "So you don't get to tell me what's real."

Victoria's expression faltered. "Leonard, you're confused—"

"No," he cut in again.

His hand reached out—and grabbed Isabella's.Firmly and closer.

The gesture was deliberate.

A statement.

A decision.

"I know what I feel," Leonard said calmly. "And right now... I feel her."

Isabella's breath caught.

This was no longer about her lie, something was something real, something more like obsession.

"You're choosing her?" Victoria whispered, her voice shaking.

Leonard didn't hesitate.

"Yes."

The word echoed in the room.

Final. Unshakable.

"You don't even know her!" Victoria snapped.

Leonard's gaze darkened.

"I don't need to."

Victoria's hands clenched.

"You'll regret this when your memory comes back," she warned.

For a brief moment, something flickered in Leonard's eyes.

A shadow. A fragment.

But it disappeared just as quickly.

He pulled Isabella closer again.

Protective. Possessive. Unyielding.

"Then I'll deal with it when that happens," he said calmly.

A pause.

Then his voice dropped.

"But until then... she stays."

Victoria stared at them, her expression breaking.

"Fine," she said bitterly. "But when the truth comes out..."

Her eyes locked onto Isabella.

"...you'll be the one he hates the most."

The door slammed shut behind her.

Silence returned.

But it felt heavier now.

Isabella slowly looked at Leonard.

"You didn't have to do that," she said softly.

"Yes. . .," he replied. " I've to,"

Her heart raced. "Why?"

He didn't answer immediately.

Instead, his hand lifted to her face, resting gently against her cheek.

"You're shaking," he murmured.

Her breath caught.

"Am I?"

"Yes." He answered

His thumb brushed softly against her skin.

"I don't like it."

"What don't you like?" she whispered.

His eyes darkened.

"Anything that makes it look like you'll leave."

Isabella froze.

Because in that moment...

She realized the truth.

This wasn't just memory loss anymore.

Leonard wasn't just forgetting— He was beginning to claim her