His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 444 Visit

Bella loved the room he had made for her.

The moment she stepped inside, her breath caught. She walked slowly, touching the chair, the human sized tree, and her plushies, as if afraid the moment might disappear if she moved too fast.

She suddenly turned around and ran back to Leo’s room. She climbed onto his lap, wrapping her arms tightly around him, her face pressing into his chest as her small body clung to him without hesitation.

"I like it," she whispered happily. "Very much."

Leo held her close, one arm firm around her, the other resting gently on her head. For a moment, he just sat there, letting her warmth sink into him.

Dinner that night was quiet, soft, and oddly comforting.

Bella sat at the table with everyone, her shoulders slightly hunched at first. She was shy around Nonna, around Leo’s mother and father, answering their questions with small nods and soft words. But slowly, she began to speak more. She smiled when Nonna praised her. She listened carefully when Leo’s mother spoke. She even laughed once, a light sound that made everyone at the table pause.

The house felt full again.

She was most comfortable with Jay and Jace, leaning closer to them, whispering silly comments, reacting freely without fear. Jay exaggerated his reactions just to make her giggle. Jace quietly passed her food when she hesitated, earning a shy smile in return.

After dinner, Leo took her upstairs himself. She was already sleepy, rubbing her eyes, clinging to the photo of her father. He tucked her into bed carefully, adjusting the blanket and making sure she was comfortable.

"Good night, bunny," he said softly.

"Good night, hubby," she replied, already half asleep.

When he finally closed the door behind him, Leo let out a long, slow sigh.

Relief washed over him first. She was calm. She was safe. She was sleeping.

But beneath that relief, he felt a bit stressed.

He loved this version of Bella. her innocence, her trust, the way she looked at him as if the world was simple and kind. But he didn’t want her to stay like this forever.

Because he knew this wasn’t just rest. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

It was escape. A shutting down. What had happened to her, especially with Alan involved, had made everything far more painful and complicated. Alan had been his friend. Leo was certain that Bella had stayed silent, had folded inward, because she did not want to ruin that friendship. So she had chosen to retreat.

He closed his eyes and sighed.

The next morning passed quietly until Leo received a notification from the gate.

A guest request.

He glanced at the name and paused.

William Wilson.

Leo leaned back, surprised but not alarmed. Bella had spoken about the him before: how she’d disguised herself only because she was working with him, how kind he had been to her, how much she respected him. Knowing that, the visit didn’t feel strange at all.

When William was escorted inside, his aged face lit up the moment he saw Leo.

"I heard Bella is unwell," William said gently. "Is she awake?"

Leo shook his head. "She’s still sleeping."

William’s shoulders sagged slightly, disappointment flickering across his face. "I was hoping to see her."

Leo hesitated only briefly. "If you want to wait, or even see her later, I can take you upstairs. She adores you."

William smiled faintly. "I would like that."

They went upstairs together, their steps quiet. When Leo gently pushed the bedroom door open, sunlight was already slipping through the curtains.

Bella stirred.

She opened her eyes slowly, still wrapped in blankets, her hair soft and messy against the pillow. For a second, she looked peaceful.

Then her gaze shifted.

She noticed William standing near the door.

Her body tensed immediately.

She shrank back into the bed, fingers clutching the blanket as her eyes filled with fear. "Leo...?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Leo moved to her side at once, sitting on the edge of the bed. "It’s okay," he said softly, placing a steady hand over hers. "I’m here."

Bella’s eyes stayed fixed on him, tears gathering as she nodded shakily.

William’s heart sank at the sight.

He stepped forward slowly, stopping a few steps away so he wouldn’t frighten her further. His expression was full of sadness and restraint.

"My child..." he murmured quietly, more to himself than to her.

Bella pressed closer to Leo, her head ducking against his arm, peeking out only slightly.

William swallowed hard.

"This isn’t the Bella I know," he said softly, pain threading through his voice.

Leo didn’t answer.

He simply held Bella’s hand a little tighter, his jaw set, while William stood there silently, his heart heavy, realizing that the bright, capable young woman he admired had been hurt deeply enough to retreat into herself.

And that realization hurt more than words ever could.

William’s gaze drifted around the room as Leo spoke softly to Bella, trying to calm her. Then his eyes fell on the small photo frame resting on the side table.

He froze.

The color drained from his face, then his eyes widened, sharp with recognition and disbelief. He didn’t move closer. He didn’t interrupt. He simply stared at the photograph, as if it had suddenly reached out and grabbed him by the heart.

After a moment, he carefully masked his reaction.

"Who is he?" William asked gently, forcing his tone to sound casual as he glanced toward Bella instead of the frame.

Bella followed his gaze.

The moment she saw the photo, her fear melted away.

Her face lit up instantly, as if someone had turned on a light inside her. She straightened a little, hugging the blanket to her chest.

"He is my daddy!" she announced proudly. "Jude!!!"

William’s brows drew together.

Jude...

So he had changed his name.

A complicated mix of shock, relief, and something close to joy surged through him. He looked back at Bella, his eyes softening with emotion he couldn’t quite hide.

"Well then," William said gently as he stepped closer and sat carefully on the edge of the bed, keeping his movements slow so she wouldn’t feel threatened.

"Hello, Bella. I’m William."

Bella tilted her head, studying him seriously.

"You can call me old man," William added with a chuckle. "That’s what my grandson calls me. Or grandpa, if you like."