His innocent wife is a dangerous hacker.-Chapter 507

William only laughed, completely unfazed. He nodded again and again, already pulling out his phone as he walked away. "Early morning it is," he said, grinning to himself while dialing numbers, his voice carrying down the hall as he started giving instructions and making arrangements.

The moment William disappeared from sight, Leo’s attention snapped back to Bella. His hand tightened at her waist, and in one smooth movement, he pulled her closer until there was no space left between them. "Little bunny," he murmured, lowering his head, his voice soft but dangerous in the way only he could manage. "You’re so happy to go away from me, hmm?"

Bella laughed softly, the sound light and warm, and before she even realized it, her arms had already lifted to curl around his neck. She leaned into him, her cheek brushing his jaw, her eyes bright with a happiness she wasn’t trying to hide.

"I am very, very happy," she said, drawing the words out teasingly, almost daring him to react.

His eyes narrowed at once, that familiar dangerous amusement flickering through them. "Oh? So happy, hmm?" he murmured, lowering his face until his nose brushed her temple, nuzzling there as if he belonged in that space. "You’re changing, bunny. Once upon a time, you tried to sit inside my suitcase so I couldn’t leave. And now?" His voice dipped, amused and accusatory all at once. "Now you can’t wait to get away from me?"

Bella’s cheeks warmed instantly. She turned her face just enough to hide her smile against his shoulder. "Well... you can’t blame me," she said, her voice soft but playful. "You didn’t let me rest at all."

He pulled back slightly, studying her as if she’d committed a great crime. "Is that so?" he asked, eyes narrowing again, this time with mock hurt. "You’re cruel, bunny. Truly cruel." His thumb brushed lightly at her waist. "So you’re really not going to miss me?"

"Yeah," Bella replied instantly, far too cheerfully, her lips curving into a bright smile, even though her heart already felt tight at the thought of being away from him.

He went still for a brief moment, then leaned closer, his voice dropping. "Even if I’m gone?" he asked quietly.

She huffed, unable to keep up the act any longer. "Shh," she whispered, lifting her face to him, her lips brushing softly against his throat. "I’m lying, okay?" Her voice turned gentle, honest. "I’ll miss you. A lot."

His arm tightened around her, pulling her closer as if sealing that confession into his chest.

"Let’s go upstairs..." he whispered against her ear, his voice low and tempting, sending a small shiver down her spine.

"Nooo," Bella protested immediately, pressing her palms against his chest to push him back, though there was no real strength in it. "I’m going to the kitchen. I want to make cookies."

He caught her hands easily, his fingers closing around her smaller ones, stopping her escape before it even began. Leaning closer, he murmured, "Why do you need to make cookies? I’ll buy them for you. The best ones."

She shook her head stubbornly, her ponytail swaying. "No. I want to make them myself."

His brows knit together as he looked at her, clearly displeased with this logic. "No," he said flatly.

Bella stared at him, then broke into a grin, eyes sparkling with mischief. "You don’t get to say no to cookies," she declared, trying to pull her hands free. "They’re my cookies."

He scoffed softly, tugging her back toward him. "You’re impossible," he muttered, though there was fondness laced through every word. "First you abandon me, and now you want to tire yourself out in the kitchen."

She laughed, warm and bright, leaning closer just enough to soften him. "Then stay with me," she said lightly. "Help me."

He paused, looking down at her as if weighing his options, then sighed in defeat. "Fine," he said at last.

Bella beamed, victorious, already dragging him toward the kitchen as if this had been her plan all along. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

He leaned back against the kitchen counter, arms resting loosely behind him for support, long legs stretched out in front of him, watching her move around the kitchen as if nothing else in the world mattered. Bella tied her hair back with a small clip, the loose strands brushing her cheeks as she pulled out bowls and ingredients, her movements soft and unhurried, filled with a quiet excitement. Every now and then she hummed under her breath, completely absorbed, while he kept his eyes on her, dark and attentive, following the way she reached for the sugar, the way she frowned slightly while measuring flour, the way her lips curved into a small smile when she found what she needed.

Aunt Clara paused at the doorway for a moment, taking in the scene. The way he looked at Bella was unmistakable, like nothing else in the room existed, and Bella, without even realizing it, kept glancing back at him as if seeking his approval. A gentle smile touched Clara’s lips. She turned quietly, leaving them alone, her footsteps fading down the hallway, carrying with her a warm, satisfied feeling.

Unaware of being watched moments earlier, Bella finally looked up at him. "Why are you staring like that?" she asked, pretending to sound serious, though her eyes sparkled.

He tilted his head slightly, completely unapologetic. "I’m supervising," he said smoothly. "What if you steal the chocolate?"

She laughed, shaking her head. "It’s my kitchen. And my cookies."

"True," he said simply, the faintest curve touching his lips.

But inside, his thoughts had already wandered far from flour and sugar.

For a brief, dangerous moment, he imagined stepping closer, crowding her space until her back brushed the cool counter, imagined the way her laughter would falter into a soft, breathless sound when she realized how close he was. In his mind, her cheeks flushed pink, her fingers stilled mid-motion, her eyes lowering because she suddenly wouldn’t know where to look. Just the idea of it made his jaw tighten, made his grip on the edge of the counter firm...