His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 497 Theo is back

Meanwhile, Jay could not help feeling a little disappointed that Bella was not able to come with them. Still, he reminded himself that her health mattered more than anything else, and there would be other days.

The house Jace had chosen was small, almost modest compared to the places they were used to, but it suited him perfectly. It was quiet, clean, and felt like a space meant for one person to finally breathe on his own.

"This is the kitchen," the real estate agent said, gesturing warmly as they stepped inside.

Jay looked around first. The kitchen was not big, but it was bright. Sunlight slipped in through the window above the sink, lighting up the pale counters and the simple wooden cabinets. Everything was compact and neatly placed, as if the room itself understood that clutter was not welcome here. There was enough space to cook comfortably, enough shelves to store things properly, and a small dining corner that felt surprisingly cozy.

Jace stood quietly beside him, hands in his pockets, eyes moving slowly from one corner to another. He imagined mornings here, late night cups of coffee, quiet meals without noise or chaos. It felt peaceful.

"It’s nice," Jace said finally, his voice calm but sincere.

Jay smiled, feeling oddly relieved. "Yeah," he agreed. "It fits you. You don’t need anything flashy."

The agent nodded enthusiastically, clearly pleased. "It’s perfect for someone who values privacy and comfort. Very low maintenance too."

Jay glanced at Jace again. This place was not grand, but it was a start. A clean beginning. Something that was truly Jace’s.

Bella would have liked it, Jay thought. She would have smiled softly and said it felt warm.

As Jay followed Jace down the short hallway, a strange, uncomfortable feeling settled deep in his chest. It was quiet, almost unnoticeable, but heavy enough that he had to slow his steps for a moment. Jace felt farther somehow. Not physically, but in a way that made Jay uneasy, like something precious was slowly slipping out of his reach. He forced the thought down immediately, pressing it beneath layers of reason and denial. No. He could not think like that. He should not.

The real estate agent pushed open the bedroom door and smiled. "This is the bedroom," he said, giving them a quick tour of the space. It was simple, with pale walls, a wide window, and enough room for a bed, a wardrobe, and a desk by the window. Before either of them could respond, the agent’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen, apologized politely, and stepped outside, leaving the room quiet and still.

For a few seconds, it was just the two of them.

Jace stood near the doorway, his jaw clenched as his eyes moved slowly around the room. The silence felt louder here. He imagined the nights he would spend alone, the mornings with no familiar voices and no shared routines. The thought tightened something in his chest.

"I guess it’s fine," he said at last. His voice was steady, but there was a faint loneliness beneath it that he could not quite hide.

Jay nodded, turning his face toward the window as if the view outside mattered more than the look on Jace’s face. "Yeah," he replied quietly. "More than fine."

But his fingers curled slightly at his side, and for a brief moment, he wished this room did not feel so final.

·༻𐫱༺·

Two days later

Bella was finally herself again. The faint marks on her skin had faded completely, the soreness long gone, and Leo had kept his distance with rare patience since she had been so sore down there. Most importantly, she felt happy, because Theo was back.

"Long time nooo seeee," Theo sang the moment he dropped onto the couch opposite her, stretching his arms like he owned the place.

Bella blinked, then smiled so widely her cheeks hurt. He looked the same, yet different. His hair was a little longer, his shoulders broader, his presence calmer, but the familiar spark in his eyes was still there. The fearless, guitar crazy Theo she had always known.

"Yes. I missed you," she said honestly, leaning forward without even realizing it.

Theo laughed, a bright, easy sound, and studied her openly. Not in a rude way, but with fond curiosity. "Wow," he said. "You’ve grown up so much. Not that tiny little girl anymore."

Bella felt her cheeks warm, but she did not feel embarrassed. She had put on a little weight, her face softer, her body fuller in a gentle way. She actually liked how she looked now.

"Thank you," she replied happily, smoothing the edge of her sleeve.

Theo grinned. "You look good. Healthy. Comfortable. That suits you."

She laughed softly at that.

He leaned back, crossing one ankle over his knee, fingers tapping an imaginary rhythm against his thigh. "So," he said, eyes lighting up, "please tell me you haven’t betrayed me and abandoned your guitar."

Bella made a small, guilty face. "I practice," she said quickly. Then, with a sheepish grin, she added, "I just don’t practice regularly."

Theo burst out laughing. "Classic Bella."

He shook his head dramatically. "Talent like yours needs discipline, you know. Fearless fingers, steady strings, daily practice. Otherwise, the guitar gets lonely."

"The guitar gets lonely?" she repeated, amused.

"Absolutely," he said seriously, then winked. "And I take that personally."

Bella laughed again.

Then Theo’s tone changed suddenly.

"Do you know... I found my sister?"

Bella froze, her eyes widening as she stared at him. "Sister?" she repeated, genuinely stunned. "I thought it was just you and your father. You always said it was only the two of you."

"It was," Theo said, running a hand through his hair. His smile did not return this time. "At least, that’s what I believed."

Her heart tightened at the way his voice dipped. "Then... how?" she asked softly.

Theo exhaled slowly, leaning back. "I found my mom," he said. "I still don’t know how to feel about it." His gaze drifted somewhere far away. "And with her came the truth. I have a sister. Somehow."

Bella’s fingers curled into the fabric of her dress. "Somehow?"

"I don’t know her," he admitted, frustration flickering across his face. "I don’t know what she thinks of us, or if she even wants to be found. We’re trying to approach carefully. She’s very cautious. Very guarded. One wrong move and she’ll disappear."

Bella swallowed, her chest filling with a strange mix of curiosity and worry. "Who is she?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Theo looked at her then, really looked at her. His brown eyes were serious in a way she had rarely seen before. There was no teasing, no playful spark. Just truth.

"Her name is Freya."