Chapter 47: A New Memory

Isabella looked at him in surprise, her heart pounding. Before she could answer, a sharp pain pierced her head. She clutched her temples, closing her eyes as fragmented images flooded her mind.

She saw a dark room, her trembling hands, and a man holding her roughly. She heard her own voice pleading and crying, a wave of panic and vulnerability washing over her. It felt like reliving a buried memory she had tried to forget.

Alexander grew alarmed, seeing Isabella’s face contorted with pain and anguish.

—Isabella, what’s wrong? —he asked, holding her shoulders to steady her.

She opened her eyes, looking at him in horror, tears welling up.

—Alex… I… I remember someone… someone who hurt me… —she whispered as tears streamed down her face.

Alexander pulled her into his arms, stroking her hair gently to calm her. Inside, he wrestled with his own thoughts, flashes of memories that felt inexplicably tied to her.

—It’s okay, Isabella. I’m here… I won’t let anyone hurt you —he murmured, holding her tightly as though shielding her from her past.

But in his mind, questions swirled. What was that memory? And why did he feel like he had lived those moments with her before?

Isabella breathed heavily, trying to calm down in Alexander’s embrace. Her mind remained trapped in the haunting and confusing memories. Alexander, still holding her, felt her hands tremble and tightened his grip, trying to reassure her.

—Isabella —he whispered softly—, you can tell me anything. You don’t have to carry this alone.

She took a deep breath, pulling back slightly to look into his eyes, her expression a mix of fear and shame. She didn’t fully understand those memories or the emotions they stirred, but she needed answers. Maybe Alexander could help her piece together the puzzle of her past.

—Alexander, I feel like there’s something I can’t remember —she said, her voice trembling—. Something… something dark. These images, these memories… it’s like they’ve been buried, and now they’re surfacing.

Alexander watched her silently, seeing the panic and vulnerability in her eyes. Without thinking, he took her hands in his and spoke firmly but gently.

—You’re not alone, Isabella. If there’s something in your past you need to uncover, I promise I’ll be by your side. No matter what.

She nodded slightly, comforted by his promise but still filled with doubt. Part of her feared uncovering the truth, yet another part urged her to face these memories head-on.

—I want to understand why I’m having these memories. I need to know who that person was and… —her voice broke as she felt a lump in her throat—, and why I’m so terrified.

Alexander’s expression hardened with determination.

—Then we’ll figure it out together. I won’t stop until you have all the answers.

For a moment, Isabella’s face lit up, a sense of relief easing her chest. But deep down, the ominous feeling lingered, as if discovering the truth would change her forever.

Isabella remained silent, watching Alexander with sadness and confusion. She couldn’t understand why he was still with Miranda, especially after what she had recently learned. Finally, unable to contain her doubts, she mustered the courage to ask him directly.

—Alexander, why are you still with Miranda? —she asked, her voice trembling—. I know there’s more to this… but I don’t understand why you stay with someone who only seems to cause harm.

Alexander sighed deeply, averting his gaze. He knew she deserved the truth, and it was time to be honest with her.

—Isabella —he began, choosing his words carefully—, there’s a lot about my past I haven’t shared. Miranda… she saved my life years ago. One night, when I was at my lowest and made reckless decisions, she was there and helped me when no one else did.

Isabella stared at him in shock, processing his words. She couldn’t imagine Alexander in such a vulnerable and dangerous situation.

—So you owe her your life? —she asked, trying to understand.

Alexander nodded slowly.

—Exactly. And it’s not just that. Part of the agreement for her help included uniting our families. If I don’t honor that commitment… I could lose the company. Her family has significant influence in my business, and… I don’t have many options, for the sake of the employees and everything we’ve built.

Isabella lowered her gaze, feeling a mix of sadness and frustration. She now understood that Alexander was trapped, not only by his loyalty to Miranda but also by his responsibilities to his company and the people who depended on it.

—But Alex… is this what you really want? —she asked softly—. To tie yourself to someone who doesn’t make you happy just because of a debt?

Alexander looked at her with deep sadness, and for an instant, she thought she saw part of the answer she was looking for.

—No… —he admitted quietly—, but sometimes we have to make sacrifices for others.

Both fell silent, lost in their thoughts as the weight of the situation settled between them.

The next day, Miranda approached Alexander in his office, a carefully calculated smile on her face. She carried a fabric folder with samples and designs in her hands.

—Alexander, we have to go try on the wedding outfits today —she said insistently, as if it were something he should have etched in his memory—. I’ve already made the appointments at the boutique.

Alexander, distracted and mentally elsewhere, looked up. After the previous night with Isabella, his thoughts were consumed by her fragmented memories and the need to protect her, though he didn’t know from what.

—Today? —he responded, unenthusiastic—. I thought we still had time for that.

Miranda pressed her lips together, trying to maintain her composure, though her frustration was evident in her eyes.

—Alexander, the wedding is in a few weeks —she said, keeping her voice calm—. We can’t leave everything until the last minute. Don’t you want everything to be perfect?

Alexander sighed, nodding to avoid an argument. He knew she wouldn’t drop the subject until she got what she wanted, and he didn’t have the energy to fight.

—Fine, Miranda —he agreed, standing up—. Let’s go to the boutique.

Miranda’s smile widened triumphantly, and she quickly took his arm as if they were the perfect couple everyone expected them to be. Yet Alexander felt a knot in his stomach.

As Miranda and Alexander headed to the boutique, Ethan, who overheard their conversation, had a mischievous idea. While Isabella was busy in the kitchen, Ethan sneaked out and climbed into the car’s trunk. With a wide grin and a racing heart, he hid, ready for his little secret adventure.