Whispers From A Paper Heart Amara Blue Knight 10

Chapter 10 

Raymond stood in the deep recess of the alley, his eyes locked on the figure ahead. 

It was her. He was certain of it. 

But the terrifying ferocity that once cowed her enemies was gone. 

She wore a simple, pale dress that softened her silhouette–a look he had never seen on her. 

In the past, she had detested dresses, saying they slowed her down. 

Raymond stepped out from the shadows, but a young man suddenly jogged up to her. 

The man’s tone was intimate. “Kathy, sorry I’m late.” 

A crushing weight slammed into Raymond’s chest, making it hard to breathe. 

But what hurt more was the smile Katherine gave the man. It was relaxed and tender–an expression she had never shown him. 

He forced himself to halt, retreating back into the darkness. 

The next day, he ordered his men to lock down the area around the bookstore. They staged distractions to divert every customer, leaving the shop empty. 

Katherine seemed to sense something was amiss; she scanned the street with a flat, guarded gaze but didn’t investigate. 

Chapter 10 

Her instincts were still sharp, but she remained calm. 

By evening, Raymond couldn’t hold himself together anymore; being without her was driving him out of his mind. 

He sent a subordinate inside to confront her. “Kathy, why have you ignored Mr. Dawson’s recall order for the past few years? Do you realize he destroyed the entire Ironveil Cartel for you?” 

Raymond held his breath, waiting for the flare of anger or the sting of an accusation. 

Instead, she frowned, looking genuinely confused. “I’m sorry, but I’ve had my memory wiped. Who is Mr. Dawson?” 

Her words hit him like a physical blow, draining his strength. The record of the memory erasure procedure he had found three years ago 

was true. 

She had completely severed ties with her past. 

He finally gathered the courage to step from the shadows into the light, standing directly before her. He searched her eyes for a flicker of recognition. 

But she looked at him the same way she looked at strangers–polite, but distant. “Sir, I’m very sorry. If I knew you before, I didn’t mean to forget. My memory stops at eighteen. Everything after that is gone.” 

He stumbled backward. 

In that moment, he felt as though he had lost everything. 

The words he wanted to say died in his throat, replaced by a sharp, physical pain in his chest. 

Chapter 10 

What could he do now? 

Could he really drag her back just to explain their violent history, the intense cycle of love and hate, and the pain and betrayal he had personally inflicted upon her? 

Katherine pulled a book from under the counter and handed it to him. Her smile was warm and sincere. “Sir, you seem very tense. Maybe this book will help you find some peace.” 

She looked up at him with clear eyes, appearing entirely innocent of the world’s darker side. 

The sight made his eyes redden instantly. 

His hand shook as he took the book, and tears spilled over, falling uncontrollably onto the cover. 

She paused, looking as if she wanted to ask what was wrong, but the door chimes rang. 

“Kathy, let’s close up early. I made reservations,” the young man called out cheerfully as he walked in. 

She immediately turned to him, her smile returning. 

Then she gave a polite nod to Raymond and his man. “Sorry, we’re closing early today.” 

Raymond stood by the door and watched her efficiently lock up. 

She hopped lightly onto the back of the man’s electric scooter, wrapping her arms around his waist. 

They drove off, their laughter fading into the evening wind as they rounded the corner. 

Chapter 10 

She didn’t look back at him even once. 

Raymond stood motionless in the deepening night for a long time. 

28/ouches 

Part of him wanted to scream, to use force, to drag her back to him no matter the cost. 

But a clearer image remained in his mind–her sitting on that scooter, looking free and happy. 

If he reappeared in her life, he would only bring the darkness back with him. 

Trapping her now would cause him more pain than letting her go. 

“Sir, should we proceed?” his subordinate whispered. 

Raymond closed his eyes and shook his head heavily. 

“Pull everyone out,” he said, his voice rough and breaking. 

“From now on, no one disturbs her life. Ever.” 

The team slipped away silently, leaving the lit street behind. 

It was empty now, except for Raymond, whose shadow stretched long under the streetlights. 

It was like his memories–clear, cold, and with him forever. 

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