His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 624 Happy

Bella washed slowly, taking her time, enjoying the feeling of the water and the memories playing behind her eyelids. She used his shampoo just to smell him longer. She ran the soap over her skin and thought about his hands doing the same.

When she finally stepped out, wrapped in a fluffy towel, she felt clean and fresh and ready for the day.

She dried her hair, brushed it until it fell in soft waves, and applied just a touch of makeup, enough to look awake, not enough to look like she was trying.

Then she stood before the wardrobe, considering her options. Something comfortable...

She chose a soft cream sweater that draped off one shoulder, perfect for showing off that mark near her collarbone. She paired it with comfortable jeans and simple flats.

One last look in the mirror.

Her cheeks were pink. Her eyes sparkled. She looked happy.

Really, truly happy.

She grabbed her phone and noticed a message from a familiar number. She opened it and smiled.

Good morning, beautiful. Hope you rested.

—L

She typed back quickly:

Good morning, I did. Come find me when you’re done.

She bit her lip, hit send, and headed out the door.

As she walked down the hallway toward the kitchen, a thought drifted through her mind, soft and warm like the morning light.

How was it possible to fall in love with the same man twice?

She’d loved him from the beginning. Even when he was cold. Even when he pushed her away. Even when she didn’t understand him, she’d loved him.

But this... this was different.

This was love after knowing him more. After fights and silences and misunderstandings. After nights like last night, when he’d been so gentle, then so rough, then so tender again that she’d cried into his chest. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

This was love deepened. Strengthened. Made richer by every moment they’d shared.

She felt giddy.

Actually, physically giddy. Like a teenager with her first crush. Her stomach fluttered. Her heart raced. A silly smile tugged at her lips.

She pressed her hands to her burning cheeks, laughing at herself.

Get it together, Bella. You’re a married woman.

But she couldn’t help it.

His face floated through her mind. The way he’d looked at her last night, like she was the most precious thing in his world. The way his eyes had softened when he’d given her that terrible painting. The way he’d held her after, like he was afraid she’d disappear.

She bit her lip, grinning like an idiot.

She was so, so in love with him.

The kitchen came into view. She could hear Jay’s voice, probably complaining about something, and the soft clink of cups.

She stepped inside, still glowing.

Jay took one look at her and choked on his coffee.

"Oh no," he said, eyes wide. "You have the look."

Bella blinked. "What look?"

"The ’I had a very good night’ look." He pointed at her accusingly. "Your cheeks are pink. You’re smiling weird. And you’re," he squinted, "glowing. You’re literally glowing."

Bella’s blush deepened. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Liar." But he was grinning. "Good for you, Bella Bell. Good for you."

She laughed, grabbing a cup and pouring herself coffee.

Jay leaned on the counter, watching her with amusement. "So. Details?"

"No."

"Just a few?"

"Absolutely not."

"One tiny detail?"

Bella threw a napkin at him.

He caught it, laughing. "Fine, fine. Keep your secrets. I don’t want to know anyway, because I know your secret could gross me out." He paused. "But for real, you look happy. Really happy. It’s nice to see."

Bella’s smile softened. "I am happy, Jay. Really happy."

"Good." He reached over and ruffled her hair. "You deserve it."

She beamed at him over her coffee cup.

"Where’s Jace?" Bella asked, looking around as if he might suddenly appear from behind the kitchen island. "I haven’t seen him since yesterday. Like, at all. Did he get swallowed by the house or something?"

Jay’s expression flickered, something complicated passing through his eyes before he masked it with a too casual shrug. "Well, he was at the company with Leo. They left early this morning. Like, before sunrise early."

"That’s... early."

"That’s insane is what it is." Jay stirred his coffee absently, staring into the dark liquid like it held answers. "They’ve been working really closely lately. Brother stuff. Business stuff. Important meetings I’m apparently not important enough to attend." He tried to laugh, but it came out hollow.

Bella studied him carefully. "Jay..."

He swallowed hard. "I’m afraid that... this will..."

He didn’t finish. Didn’t need to. Bella reached across the counter and covered his hand with hers. Her touch was warm, grounding. "No, no. Please, Jay, don’t say that."

He looked up at her, something vulnerable flickering in his eyes.

"I just hid something from Leo," Bella continued softly. "And I didn’t tell him, and when he found out..." She shook her head. "He stopped talking to me. Cold silence for days. Wouldn’t look at me. Called me Isabella instead of Bella."

Jay winced. "Ouch."

"It was the worst feeling." She squeezed his hand. "And that was over something small. This," she gestured between them, "is such a big thing, Jay. Bigger than a rose. Bigger than anything I hid. Leo deserves to know. You both deserve to have this out in the open instead of carrying it around like a weight."

Jay was quiet for a long moment. His free hand came up to rub the back of his neck, a nervous habit she recognized.

"I know," he said finally. "I know you’re right. It’s just..." He trailed off, searching for words. "Jace is so scared, Bella. Like, genuinely terrified. He’s convinced that once Leo finds out, everything will change. That Leo will look at him differently. All that trust will just... vanish."

Bella’s heart ached. "That won’t happen."

"You don’t know that."

"I know Leo." Her voice was firm. "I know how he loves. I know how he protects. He’ll be angry at first, he’s always angry at first. But underneath that, he’ll understand. He’ll fight for Jace. For you. For all of it."

Jay stared at her for a long moment. Then he let out a breath, some of the tension leaving his shoulders.

"I’ll ask Jace about it tonight," he said, sighing. "We need to talk. Really talk. No more avoiding."

Bella smiled gently. "Good. That’s really good, Jay."

He nodded, then shook off the heaviness like a dog shaking off water. His expression shifted to something lighter, more curious.

"But why aren’t you going to the office recently?" he asked, tilting his head. "I haven’t seen you there in forever. Did you get fired? Can you get fired from being the boss’s wife?"