His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 446 Reward

She’s back.

The realization hit him all at once, sharp and overwhelming. Relief surged through him so fast it almost hurt. But it was quickly followed by something heavier when he saw her expression, the way she wouldn’t meet his eyes, the way shame clung to her like a second skin.

"Hey," he said softly, sitting fully beside her now and pulling her gently into his arms. "Why are you apologizing?"

She shook her head, tears spilling faster now that he was close. "I scared everyone. I worried you. I didn’t mean to disappear like that." Her voice cracked. "I remember everything."

Leo tightened his hold, one hand cradling the back of her head, pressing her gently against his chest. He rested his cheek against her hair, breathing her in, grounding himself in the fact that she was here. Fully here.

"You don’t need to apologize for surviving," he said quietly. "Or for breaking when something hurt you."

She let out a small, broken sob, her hands clutching his shoulders. "I hate that part of me," she whispered. "The one that runs away."

Leo pulled back just enough to look at her face. His thumb brushed away the tears under her eyes, slow and careful, as if she might shatter if he rushed.

"That part of you kept you alive," he said firmly. "It protected you when you couldn’t protect yourself. There’s nothing to hate."

Her lips trembled. "I remembered things I didn’t want to remember," she admitted. "And then everything went quiet. Like I hid inside myself."

Leo’s eyes softened painfully. He leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, lingering there.

"You came back," he murmured. "That’s all that matters."

She nodded weakly, finally lifting her arms to wrap around him fully, burying her face into his chest. Leo held her as if he’d never let go again, one arm wrapped tight around her back, the other rubbing slow, reassuring strokes along her spine.

"I’m here," he whispered, again and again. "You’re safe. I’ve got you."

"Alan..." Bella hesitated, the name slipping out softly, as if she was testing whether it still hurt to say it.

Leo didn’t stiffen. He only sighed, slow and controlled, his arm still wrapped securely around her. "I told him to leave the city," he said calmly. "And he did. He got his karma along the way. A small accident. Nothing life threatening."

Bella sniffed, her fingers curling lightly into the fabric near his waist.

"You’re so kind," she murmured honestly. "I’m glad you didn’t punish him too much. You’ve gotten kinder since me."

Leo chuckled quietly, the sound low and warm against her ear. "Indeed," he replied, almost amused. "You’ve ruined me."

For a moment, silence settled between them, broken only by the sound of their breathing.

Bella shifted slightly, wanting to get more comfortable, and that was when she felt it.

Her palm brushed against bare skin.

She froze.

Her eyes widened as awareness rushed back all at once. The dim light. The warmth of his body. The fact that he had come straight from the shower. Her fingers curled instinctively, and heat flooded her face.

Leo only had a towel wrapped low around his waist, damp hair falling slightly over his forehead. His arm was still around her, holding her close as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Bella’s cheeks burned.

"Y you..." she stammered, instantly pulling her hand back and pressing it to his chest, as if to create distance that didn’t really exist. "You’re not dressed."

Leo didn’t move away. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, looking at her like he found her reaction endlessly amusing. A low chuckle slipped from his chest as his hand stayed firm at her waist, grounding her where she stood.

"Relax," he said lazily, his voice warm and unashamed. "You’re still so shy, bunny. We’ve almost completed a whole year together. We sleep in the same bed every night, and you still act like this." His thumb brushed lightly against her side, slow and deliberate. "I’m your husband. You should be used to seeing me naked."

Before the sentence could settle, Bella’s eyes widened in panic. She quickly tiptoed forward and covered his mouth with her small hand, her heart racing wildly.

"You’re so shameless," she muttered in a hushed, flustered voice, half angry, half embarrassed, afraid someone might hear even though they were alone.

Leo’s words were muffled under her palm, but his eyes softened completely. The usual sharpness faded, replaced by warmth so deep it made her breath hitch. He gently wrapped his fingers around her wrist, not pulling her hand away, just holding it there as he pressed a slow kiss into her palm.

Shameless or not, the way he looked at her was anything but careless.

Bella slowly pulled her hand back, her thoughts drifting. When she had been small and fragile, lost in that childlike space, he had taken care of her without hesitation, without complaint, holding her through the nights and protecting her like she was the most precious thing in his world.

"Thank you for taking care of me, Leo," she said softly, her voice shy but sincere, her lashes lowering as if the words themselves embarrassed her.

"Silly girl," he replied immediately, his tone firm but fond. He didn’t give her time to overthink it. He pulled her into a tight hug, holding her like he was afraid she might disappear again. For the first time in days, relief flooded his chest.

Thank God. She’s back.

"O..okay," Bella murmured against him, her cheeks heating as she became aware of his skin beneath her hands. Cool, clean, faintly scented with soap and something that was just him. The familiar smell made her heart flutter.

He didn’t loosen his hold. Instead, his hand slid to her waist, resting there with quiet confidence, his thumb moving in a slow, absent minded circle.

"Though," he said casually, but there was meaning in his voice now, "you should probably reward me."

"R-reward?" Bella pulled back slightly, blinking up at him in confusion.

"Yes," he said, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

"What do you want?" she asked hesitantly.