The amnesia, his obsession

Chapter 33: The man he buried

The dark room smelled like metal and silence.

Isabella sat still hands tied, back straight, eyes sharp, no panic, no tears.

Because fear was a luxury she couldn't afford.

Across from her— A single chair, empty, waiting.

Footsteps echoed slowly, measured, confident.

Then— He stepped into the light, tall, composed, dangerously calm.

Isabella studied him carefully not rushing, not reacting.

"You've been waiting," she said.

The man smiled faintly.

"And you're calmer than I expected."

His voice was smooth.

Familiar in a way she couldn't explain.

"Disappointing?" Isabella asked.

He chuckled softly.

"Interesting."

He walked closer— slowly circling her like he was studying something he had already decided to keep.

"You're not what I imagined," he said.

"And you're not as invisible as you think," she replied.

That made him pause.

Then—Smile.

"Good," he said quietly.

"I like that."

Isabella's eyes didn't leave him.

"If you're trying to scare me, you're failing."

He leaned slightly closer.

"I'm not trying to scare you."

A pause."I'm trying to send a message."

Meanwhile—Leonard was already moving, fast, relentless.

The car sped through the dark roads, his grip tight on the steering wheel, his expression completely unreadable.

But inside— Everything was burning.

"Location trace?" he demanded.

His assistant's voice came through the speaker.

"Still working on the signal. Whoever sent that video is masking their position."

Leonard's jaw tightened.

"Break it."

"Sir, it's not that simple—" the assistant said

"I didn't ask if it was simple."

"Yes, sir."

Back in the room— Isabella tilted her head slightly.

"You know him," she said suddenly.

The man stopped walking, a small smile appeared.

"Very observant."

Her chest tightened slightly.

"I can hear it in your voice," she continued.

A pause.

"You're not just an enemy."

He laughed, low, controlled.

"You really are different from the others."

Isabella's eyes narrowed.

"What others?"

The man didn't answer immediately.

Instead— He pulled out his phone, tapped the screen.

Then turned it toward her.

Leonard.

Live, moving, searching, coming fast.

Isabella's breath hitched slightly— but she controlled it.

"He's going to find me," she said.

The man smiled.

"That's the plan."

The car came to a sudden stop.

Leonard stepped out before it fully settled. An abandoned industrial zone, dark, quiet but his instincts screamed.This was it.

His phone buzzed again.

Another message.

A single line: "Come alone."

Leonard's eyes darkened.

"Not happening," he muttered.

But deep down— He knew, this wasn't a negotiation, this was a trap.

Back inside— The man crouched slightly in front of Isabella.

"Do you know why you're here?" he asked.

She didn't answer.

"Because of him," he continued.

A pause.

"Because of what he did."

Isabella's gaze sharpened.

"What did he do?"

The man's smile faded slightly.

"He took everything from me."

His voice dropped colder now.

"And now..."He stood beside her touching her chin

"I take something from him."

Isabella's heart pounded once again, hard but her voice stayed steady.

"You think I'm just something to take?"

Silence.

Then—A slow smile returned.

"No," he said."You're the only thing he can't afford to lose."

Outside— Leonard walked forward slowly.

Each step calculated, each breath controlled.

But his eyes— were no longer the same, not the man who regretted, not the man who healed.

This— Was the man he used to be, the one he buried, the dangerous one.

Inside— The man's phone buzzed.

He glanced at it then smiled.

"He's here."

Isabella's chest tightened.

The moment had come, the man stepped back slightly.

"Let's see," he said softly,

"How far he's willing to go... for you."

The door creaked open, heavy footsteps echoed in.

And then— Leonard appeared.

Their eyes met instantly and in that moment everything stopped.

Pure recognition.

"...I should've killed you when I had the chance," Leonard said quietly.

The man smiled.

"But you didn't."

A pause. "And now..."

His grip tightened slightly.

"You'll regret it."

Isabella's voice cut in—

"Leonard—don't."

Just one word, but it carried everything.

Because she saw it, that look in his eyes, he wasn't here to negotiate, he was here to destroy.

Leonard didn't look away from the man.

But his voice softened—Just slightly.

"Are you hurt?"

Isabella shook her head.

"I'm fine."

That was enough.

Leonard stepped forward and the air changed.

Because now— there was no holding back.